Bill of Health - July 1992 by Armenian International Magazine

Law

fficesof

,,r,1

'i ti

-i Lit,,,u

J900 Wtsl A .ln ,"da

A,irnrl

S.. 1",2100

[]'1 i;ir: .rl Hal [)L.rli] ilrl

rrr.r Lak:iLl.r,lla Lk. Ua iom a !ll5Uir

Tr epirorri:818 841

5/5/ / Tr: clax BlB 84l

1)00-1

Cover Storv

Picture of Health

With a medical care system that is itself in desperate need of first-aid, Armenia plans to resffucture the Soviet

legacy into an efficient new machine that combines state-owned and privatized medicine. There are a few problems.

SpecialReport

Power

Struggle

Who is challenging President Levon Ter-Peffosyan's political strategy regarding Karabakh and why? Does the ouster of the ARF leader simplify politics in Armenia and complicate the situation in the Diaspora ?

Interview

World

View

Assistant Secretry of State Edward Djerejian on U.S. policy in the Middle East and the Caucasus.

ldeas

Against the

Flow

Fr. Haroutiun Bezdikian sees a budding movement that promises to transform the Diaspora's ghetto mind-set.

Technology

System

Upgrade

Could Armenia's technological potential carry its eco-

nomic standard to the next century? Some hi-tech bigwigs in Califomia's Silicon Valley say yes.

Art

Feeling

Surreal

"I could never be Dali-but I never wanted

36 to be

Dali

either," says Onik Sahakian, a longtime disciple and friend of the notorious surrealist artist. Publishers'Note Letters Focus

4 5

Cover Design: Yahe Fatta! Cover Photo: Ilkhitar Khachatrian

States: $35: Armenia: $30

Po.tmrrtc?t!

Send addrâ&#x201A;Źss changes to

Alt,

P.O, Box 3296,

m.nh.tt.n B.ach, C/l 90266, U.S.l.

Faces Book Sports

33 41

Editor's Note

Publlrh.d by Alt, lnc. EDITOR-lN-Cl{lEF3 Vartan Oskanran EXECUI IVE EDITOB: Salpi Haroutinian Ghazarian

In this issue, AIM begins to provide a review of the present health care system in Armenia. It will become readily evident to our readers that the latter is in a state of crisis. For a country with a major political crisis at its borders, health care may not be the govemment's-nor the Diaspora's-first priority. '[he sudden break from support systems in the former Soviet Union, coupled with an increased demand on services following the eanhquake and the deluge ofhundreds ofthousands ofrefugees, has only intensified the problem. However, even considering today's difficult conditions, the situation could have

COlltBlBUTlllc

been better.

COXIRIBUfORSi Gerard Libaridian, Florence

In Armenia, the number of physicians may be relatively high when compared to that of some Westem countries, but the quality of medical service is questionable. In the Diaspora, millions of dollars have been spent during recent years to channel sophisticated medical equipment toArmenia, to build amodel hospital in theGumayri area, and to bringchildren to the West for treatment and professionals for training. All this at a time when essential, primary care for the majority has been insufficient. Health care in Armenia is typical of the republic's difficulties. Reform of the health care delivery system constitutes agood litmus testforthecountry's ability toestablish a workable plan for change, and to determine the effectiveness of the Diaspora's support. Judging by today's results, the combined effort in public health care is, thus far, a failure. It is evident that what is missing today is along-term masterplanforhealth care, as wellas a coordinated, institutionalized program in the Diaspora that goes beyond fragmented, individual efforts, and is instead aimed at realizing goals established in Yerevan. This depends on a willingness to tackle the tough, slow process of planning and consultation, rather than focus on emotion-packed quick cures which are easier to deliver. These highly publicized emergency measures serve to call our attention to the daily life-and-death implications of an inadequate health care system, but they do little to solve fundamental problems or offer lasting relief. Unlike the process of economic reform, health care reform can take advantage of, and even improve, elements of an existing substructure. That this has not happened in Armenia may well be indicative of the inability of Armenians everywhere to organize themselves as a responsible, modem nation, even with a newly independent republic. If systematic, goaldirected change is not introduced soon, we will have only ourselves to blame.

ilANAGlr{G EDlIORS:

Ratli Shoubookian,

lshkhan Jinbashian

EDITORIAL COIISULIA]{T: Minas Kojaian EDITOB EtERITUS3 Charles Nazarian DIREGfOn OF OPERATIO]IS: Michael Nahabet EDITOBS3 Kevork lmirzian;

Haig Keropian; Taline Voskeritchian

ABTS EDITOR3 Neery Melkonian (Santa Fe) UEDICAL EDlfOn: Vicken Babikian (Boston) SIAFF WnITEBS: Tony Halpin, Viken Berberian

ASStStAl{T EDIfOB:

Katherine Chiljan

Avakian,Artashes Emin, Moorad Mooradian, Armon Aroyan, Gilda Kupelian, Linda Kirishjian, Christopher Atamian, YvetteHarpootian, Gerry S. Graber, Michael Mastarciyan, Lola Koundakjian, Susan Pattie,

GORBESPO|DEilIS: Washington: Zanku Armenian, Chicago: Sonia Derman Harlan Detroit: Simon Payaslian Boston: Arto Payaslian San Francisco: Janet Samuelian Montreal: Gulizar J. Mardirossian London: Ani Manoukian Paris: Armineh Johannes, Khatchik Kechian Bru3sels: Kevork Oskanian Vienna; Sebouh Baghdoyan Amsterdam: Arsen Nazarian Tokyo: Sonia Katchian Amman: Ara Voskian Sydney: Haig Lepediian Buenos Aircs: Vartan Matiossian Moscow: Tigran Xmalian, Mekhak Movsisian YEREYA]{ BUREAU3 Papken Gadachik (Chier); Mark

Dadian, Gayane Hambartzoumian, Souren Keghamian, Gourgen Khajagian

PIIOTOGRAPI{Y! Los Angeles: Michael Agyan, Kevork Djansezian, San Francisco: Armen Petrossian, New York:

Tony Savino, Harry Koundakjian New Jersey: Ardem Aslanian Boslon: Lena Sanents, AriStamatiou Providene: Berge Ara Zobian Parls: Armineh Johannes, Aline Manoukian

Amman: Karekin Kelelian Yerevan: Zaven Hachikian, Roupen Mangassarian, Mkhitar Khachatrian ART DIBECTOB: Vahe FaNaI CBEAIIVE SEBVICES DlBECfOnr Dicran Y. Kassouny ASSISTAIT TO ft{E PUBLISI{EFS: Oikran Djerahian PRODUCTIO]{ DIRECTOR: Vartan Karaoghlanian CIBCULATIOl{ DIRECTOn: Thomas Yeterian AD],lillSTRAf lYE DIREGf OR; Seta Kou2ouian ADYEBTISIIIG DInECTOB: Aline S. Kassabian ADVEBTISIIIG DEPAB?HEIf : Ani Stepanian, Victoria

Manjikian, Tsoghig S. Elmastian,Nairy Kousherian,Hralch Yerknabetian

ADtll{tSTRATIVE ASSIStANf

: Karine Ojerrahian

COLOR SEPABATI(,L: A & A Graphics, Canada

rlrTEBilATtOilAL SUBSCRtPTtOl{

\tW

and

ADvERrlSliG REPRCSEI{?ATIVES: LOnDOil

Misak Ohanian Room 4, Capital House, Market Place,Acton London W3 6QS, England Telephone 081 992 462'1

PARIS Edik Balaian 5, Bue d'Alembert, 92130 ISSY-les-MLX,France

Telephone 40 95 00 49

we can'tthink of a better occasion fqr [our

tising=

Our

88 pages of news & analysis. Promotional distribution Call 1-8OO-736.3246 to reserve ad space in the one issue where you will be getting extra coverage for the same price.

1\INI

/ \lll

A WORD OF THANKS The serious delays in producing and delivering recent issues of AIM have caused many of our readers undue frustration. We sincerely apologize. We are taking measures to resolve the problem, to put the magazine back on track with the next issue. Until then, we thank you for your patience.

Yezdi in Armenian. I believe in your article Yezdi was spelled wrongly as Yezidi.

Secondly and more importantly, Mr. Mhoyan's answer to the question "Why did the Kurds emigrate from Armenia?" was that "the term discomfort might explain the situation." It troubles me a great deal when any ethnic minority in Armenia feels uncomfortable and discriminated. We should show the

world that all non-Armenians (including Kurds, Azeris, Yezidis, etc.) living in Armenia or Karabakh are treated with respect and are as equal as the Armenians in the eyes of the law and the people, regardless of the current hostilities. Let us not bring ourselves down to the level of those Azeris who became enemies of their Armenian friends and neighbors in Baku orelsewhere in Azerbaijan after the conflict escalated, and forcefully drove them out of their homes. Aspet Ordoubegian Sacramento

Mr. Vahe Fattal and your graphics staff

alifornia

rsT NATIONl^aDE

BANK OUR NEW LOCATION IS

are to be commended for all the fine covers

that give AIM its distinctive appeal. The

It is Yezdi in Armenian, but the accepted word in English is Yezidi.

May issue coveris especially captivating and appropriate for the lead story. It looks like AIM is evolving into a fine family publication-balanced, but with appeal to a wide

compilation

audience.

Efolgreichsten Armenier der Welt. This work M. Kassabian Los An g,e I e s, C al ifornia

nit-picker, but your May issue displays a photo on the cover that is described in the contents page as "A I

don't wish to sound like

graffiti in Yerevan." The word

grffiti

The May issue had particulars about a

I 16 West Stocker Str. Glendole,CA 91202

German entitled Die

was published in Vienna in l99l.When I ordered this compilation in an intemational bookshop in The Hague, they could not the publishers.

818.240.5743

find

A. Joseph T he H ague, T he N etherlands

ARMENIA1,l TELEVISION PRODUfiIO],I5, I},lC,

plural; its singlJaris grffito. Ibringthis to yourattention forthe sake of better English.

C.K. Garabed Teaneck, New Jersey

The book was published by the authors. Copies may be obtained directlyfrom them:

Sabrina Baghdadian-Diran

Stepanian, Syringg.3al 16, I l70,Vienna, Austria.

read the article "Optical Options"

After reading Ara Oshagan's article "The Apfl 24 That Wasn't" (Focus, May), my belief is reaffirmed that Los Angeles has become the "garbage-can" of the Diaspora, and that more and more garbage is being accumulated inthe head offices of ourpoliti-

(Technology, March) with great interest. As a professional in the computer/electronics field I read technical papers on a daily basis. I found Lola Koundakjian's work refreshing; it was very informative without being esoteric, and the Wish List had a very original

cal parties. The article stated that in Los Angeles two

angle.

different commemorations took place, in two different locations, headed by two opposing parties. all about the same time. The stupefying outcome of these events is that people actually showed up, that is, people showed up without ever questioning

or disputing the fact that once more our community has been divided by our own (few but proud) political garbagemen. My theory is: Where there is garbage, there are also flies. Shahe Mankerian &The Chronic Players

Bravo, Lola. With just enough technical jargon, people of all ages should be able to appreciate the wonders and benefits ofcomputer technology. I am glad that AIM is dedicating itself to acquainting Armenians to the Next Age. Levon Baghdassarion M idland P ark, N ew J e rsey Lettere stnuH bo cddrgssed to:

llr

Ihe

The only independenl

voriety

progrom in the world l(SC! - TV lnlernotionol

(hmd

PhoneEl3/782 4944 tox 818/782 5360 I 3645 Vonowen Slreet 91405 Von lluys,

aT.il. ARTIIEI{IAN IETEVISION NEMORI(

Pasadena, California

ehanExe 1

In the "Devil's Advocates" article (Mosaic, May), a part of the Yezidi newspaper was shown with the word Yezidi written as

(

[:,

KSCt-TV Los

AIM, July 1992

Grossing Purposes

together, if that was possible at all. It is as simple as that," he said at the end of a day of party meetings on the crisis. He indicated that the gloves were off and he would now undertake a prolonged struggle against the Ter-Petrosyan regime.

The Pre sident and the Opposition, t he D a s hnakt s uti une and Karab akb-4 nho ly Al li e s ?

The prcsident's speech However, the primary thrust

By SALPI HAROUTINIAN GHAZARIAil and TONY ltALPtN stunned Armenian nation watched

President Levon Ter-Petrosyan take the country's parliamentary struggle forpowerto the airwaves, in a dramatic effort to break the political deadlock and gain grass-roots support forhis Karabakh policy.

Ter-Petrosyan's hourlong primetime television appearance would leave Armenians everywhere with unanswered questions, as he forcefully reasserted his strategy of seeking a peaceful and negotiated future

for Karabakh and denounced those who he claimed were bent on a policy that would inevitably lead to war. But what was most significant in TerPetrosyan's move was his subsequent announcement ofnothing less than a presidential decree ordering the expulsion from Armenia of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnak) leader Hrair Maroukhian. As he took off his jacket and rolled up his

shirtsleeves, viewers sensed the urgency and wondered about the intensity of the political struggle that would move the president to personally undertake such a gambit. As the president spoke, the prospect of a possible coup and even civil war loomed in

the minds of many viewers. What if Maroukhian refused to go? What if the govemmenttriedto arresthim andfighting broke out? It seemed that the republic's principal asset, political stability, would be lost and Armenia would succumb to the post-Soviet

ofcivil disorder. The night ofJune 29 very long one indeed. Tensions eased only slightly when Maroukhian announced the following day that yes, he would leave Armenia. But he wamed in an AIM interview that no relationship was possible now between the Dashnak party and the Armenian National Movement (ANM)-the party in power. disease

was

"There is no way any more to bring us

of the president's speech was neither the ARF nor the ANMirather Ter-Petrosyan was careful to lay out the political choices facing both the opposition and those in power in Armenia and in Nagomo-Karabakh. "Since its beginning, the Artsakh process generally has had two sides, two manifestations: one is the side of force, the methods of force, for example the demonstrations which began in 1988... and later, also self-defense. So the process followed two paths simultaneously, utlizing forceful as well as legal means. Of course, the legal path has not yielded any results yet...but the existence of the parallel legal processes has, in and ofitself, always been a stabilizing factor which relieved tension and kept the process on its proper course. "Unfortunately, this balance in the Artsakh process has recently been disrupted... Now force has become absolutely predominant, and continuing that way can only result in Armeniabeing drawn into an expanded war." The waming bythepresidentcame on the

IhE PrlilE ol luilay rII After 73 years, the dream ofhaving a free and independent

Armenia has become a reality. On this special occasion, the Republic

Armenia has issued her

first official postage stamps.

Due

to the

limited

quantity printed, the Souvenir Sheets and First Day Covers will not be sold seperately. A purchase of four sets of stamps will entitle the buyer to one Souvenir Sheet and one First

Day Cover. Printing of the Fint Day Covers

frst

wfi il

emblems of the Armenian statehood and endurance.

F?l IffiI

it''[lt" FIRST DAY OF ISSUE !.

$ll

1919, the independent Re-

{

public of Armenia issued

lffi":;il#ffi Ar!

heritage and legacy.

Since then, acquir-

ing these notes which circulated in the Motherland for less than a

ceased as of May 28,1992.

The historic set is being offered for the first time strictly on a

frst serve basis. Enin your home the sacred

come

shrine

mtGup tm'tffi!c

year, has been the ulti-

of a refusal by the Karabakh delegation to attend a Rome meeting in preparation for the CSCE peace confer-

well as the ARF. Formal calls in parliament for the resigna-

heels

ence. According

tion of the govemment had followed public demonstrations

in which the govemment's

some sources, the refusal came at the behest of the ARF, since the

policies had been criticized and demands made that the govemment of Armenia recognize the independence of Karabakh. Additionally, on the moming of June 29, the National Alliance nearly succeeded in passing a resolution calling forrecognition of the independence of Nagomo-Karabakh.

current leader of Karabakh, Georgi Petrosian, is a party member. as are many others in

Karabakh's parliament. Interestingly, the day immediately following the president's speech, the Karabakh parliament reversed its decision. volvement of the ARF leadership in whathe termed as coop-

This the president obviously did not want, since such a move would have meant going to ne-

eration with the KGB of the Soviet Union, the destruction of the structures of the ARF which he characterized as one

gotiate with Azerbaijan, while appearing at the same time to be making claims on territory which Azerbaijan considers its

of "our most important national

own.

Before pointing to the in-

treasures," and dragging ArHundreds attend a political rally called by the ARF at Opera menia into a destructive war month with its neighbors. the presiincluding the Armenian Democratic League dent outlined the dangers of acceding to the of Armenia (ADLA), the National Demoopposition' s strategy. cratic Union, the National Self-DeterminaHaving formed itself into the National tion Alliance, the Armenian Republican Alliance inthedays precedingthepresident's Party, the Christian-Democratic Union of speech, the opposition consisted of a groupArmenia, the Constitutional Rights Union as ing of all major non-ANM political groups,

"This is an entirely wrong approach." insisted the president laler lhat night. "The main legal issue is already the status of the disputed territory. Therefore, the peace process must be started with the goal of resolving

Square last

security issues.

"In all such conflicts," Ter-Petrosyan elaborated, "when confrontation reaches an

llE Ehry of Yesterilay h mate desire of every devoted Armenian, art lover and investor.

$ra

uEldhtit

hilrEr/rs[:

h_ Itnsr $G

_Ih

We have been fortunate to

obtain a few complete sets of this magnificent Armenian Cunency in superb condition and offer them on this occaslon.

Feel the excitement of holding a piece of history in your hands, a symbol of the indomiable spirit of the fumenian nation, a potential mvesffnent lot.

FIW

$ixrrll&sirtFil lllt

lffiupffil

Itrill

shrF h iil

lril

il5

s.r

EIilil

srr**il l*lr;latltilg#rl EntItCc lFfiE;f,lrirtgf,l

hr*ilhfi Irbd l[

lEmrt

Irfrt

3t.51

IrilEl t

lnlr*rlr

I lnn I lffi

Irr fGtn lI..![E2l+I,lE Il ll2l+5Zll 7

Planning to visit

FRANCE

extremelevel,thefirstissuebecomesacease] '.ttrisisverybad,butlbelievethingswill fire, the.creation_of guarantees.forthe secu- change. I don;t feel humiliated-yo"u feel rity of-the populace, the creation of-condi- | humiliatedifsuchthingsaredoneonentirely | tions for normal socio-economic life. and aifferent grounds. Ttrii is a political matter ] qrlvr afterthat.'.seriousnegotiationswhichrelate rrrar.,rwr ruuD rrESvrr4rru[s willLll rrrarâ&#x201A;Ź ano r conslqer tnat tnls, ln the long run, ls not landlconslderthatthis.inthelongrun.isnot not to security issues, but to purely legal going to help [Ter-petrosyan]. 6n the con-

to spend some time in the French

capital:p[RlS

]

begin. n".yli,', going to hetp us. tndirectly, he has "Today, naively----orperhaps not naivelyI given a ulg boost to the ARF," Maroukhian .but consciously," the president explained, I ioncluded. "others in Azerbaijan. in Artsakh. in Arme-

We offer you accomodations in our furnished studios

issues, can

JUSTOFFTHE CHAMPS.ELYSEES.

nia-forces which

are opposed to the

peace- ilow what?

ful resolution of the question, whiih are

Rooms include kitchen, television, telephone.

There is no doubt that Armenia and the

proponentsofconfrontation-havemadethe Diaspora will be irreversibly affected-in question qucsuon of or Artsakh's .r\nsaKn s status a subject subJect of ot I various ways- by the president's charges basic

Monthly rate:$1,300 Minimum stay: 'tmonth

speculation."

and actions, as *.it a, Uy tt

ARF leadership.

th:_L"_.!-gry?,

Although

Just prior to his departure, Maroukhian fearful seemed to leave little room for doubt about his intention. "I don't want to

Contact:

YEZEGUELIAN INC.ARMENIAN

*ur.".

","actions

of the

say that following a

anjappret"nrlrJ*e"L,;;;6fi":

create any tensions and the best way for the time being is to stick to legitimacy, if this is legitimacy," he said. "Then, [we will] fight against the

34Avenue desGhamps Elysees Paris 75(X)8,

entire situation from democratic principles and exert some pressure from Europe, the United States and other places."

Adding that he would issue

a de-

tailed statement rebutting

the president's claims when he left the country, Maroukhian asserted: "It is absolute nonsense that we conspired with the KGB, and he can't prove it." The ARF party press quickly pro-

GRAPEITXIWAL

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Annual Blessing of the Grapes Picnic

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AUGUST

ls&16 C alifo

rnia Arme nian H ome

67 20 E. Kings C any on, F re sno, C A.

DINNER

CARNIVAL

DANCE

5-9:30 p.n. Armenian sryle B-B-Q Carnival Games & Hot Dogs for Kids BINGO . ADISS HARMANDIAN

& HIS BAND Irom

dusk to midnight

Admission $5 per car in advance and $7 per car at the gate

duced a document which purport-

edly proved Ter-Petrosyan's own former KGB connections. Soon af-

ter,

I{ratch Dasnabedian, another memberof the ARFBureau, said ina published interview that as a political party, the ARF has had contacts with the KGB as a matter of course, just as it has had meetings with various foreign entities. He presented a list of countries which stretched from Africa to Europe to the Arab countries to India and the former Soviet Union. He rejected the existence of any sort of formal written agreement uElwEE, ,lc r\I1'r anu lne n un- '

however.

ARF leader Maroukhian and entourage depart

Yerevan Maroukhian "categorically ..fused" allegations that the ARF was trying, , tionof Armeniaretumedtoitsmorepressing through such meetings, to estabish an alter- worries, and the name ..Maroukhian" wai |

govemment. forgotten, in the Diaspora, rhe ARF may yet "These accusarions are.groundless." tr" ] recEire a big boost 6y uppea.ing to # in" I said. "It's a typical Bolshevik way ofattack- persecuted, irartyred;pairiot.,, ing_people." ] The biggest [uestlbn that looms unan_ .In response to other allegations. he also I swerediswfiowilidefinetheissuesraisedby rejected claims that the ARF had used earth- this crisis of legitimacy. Will it be the ARF native

BLESSING OF THE GRAPES CEREMONY AND PICNIC 9:30 a.m. Episcopal Divine Liturgy ARCHBISHOPDATEYSARKISStr4fl, 12 noonfood semice

AUBRANI

begins. RICHARD

HAC,OPW&HISORCHESTM Plus Carnival, Bingo & Ra{fle

in Armenia. The. president could "create

on Kings Canyon just East of Fowler Avenue

Maroukhian.

AIM. July 1992

press, which quickly ian banner headlines

lot I ieading "the rape of democracy,' and ..totali-

w^eh^avefinancedthepartyhere."Donations of office equipment had been made but no cash had ever been transferred, insisted

Kings Canyon,

F 0R rN F 0 oRTTCKEI S C AILQN) 486.I 1 4

offalseaccusationsbuthe_can'tprovethat

CALIFORNIA ARMENIAN HOME 6720

quakefundstobuilduptheparty'sstruoure

]tarianiim" and called the expulsion of

Maroukhian, a Greek citizen,..unfair,,and .,undemocratic"?

witt the ARF address issues of right and ] legitimacy 1

as, for example, in its relation_

ships with foreign governments or entities?

Will the ARF retain for itself the right to lobby and negotiate for Armenia and Armenians? Does it intend to do so according to its own agenda, or in a supportive role to the government? Can the party be modernized and democratized in today's Diaspora, or will it continue to operate as a party at war with the sultan, as it always has? Will it continue to function undemocratically, to the extent that, according to its by-laws, party members are nr. even allowed to voice criticism of party leaders during their terms of office? How can aparty which seems tohave lost all democratic control over its own leadership call on Ter-Petrosyan to follow the "democratic way"?

own candidate elected president? Are there foreign interests at work here, interested in seeing Armenia's majorassetstability-blemished? Wouldn't the exten-

sion of the current political and military quagmire serve to strengthen the hand of big powers who would rather resolve the Karabakh problem totheirown liking? Would

even the small regional powers, like Azerbaijan, want to see stability in Armenia?

Why was Azerbaijani President Abulfaz Elchibey so quick to encourage the Armenian president to continue to pressure the ARF? What did Ter-Petrosyan hope to accom-

plish by attempting to distinguish between Maroukhian and the rest of the party in the Diaspora? Why did he cast doubt on the integrity of ARFmembers in Armenia by alleging that new recruits and ARF representatives in parliament are paid? How will the Diaspora assess Ter-Petrosyan's most far-reaching accusation: that Maroukhian spearheaded and successfully carried off the destruction of the Diaspora's strongest resource: the ARF,

political party with solid popularroots and a

a I O0-year-old

tradition of experience in community organization and leadership? Is this party or

President Ter-Petrosyan on Armenian television June 29

any diasporan party still a viable factor in Armenian national politics? Are they factors to be counted in

How to explain the Diaspora's gloves-off tactics, which have made an independent Armenia's first elected president fair game for every third-rate editorialist and cartoonist? How is this rationalizedortolerated in an institution and a society where free and direct

diasporan life? Will the need for an Armenian Constitution be heightened because ofthe president's actions? Will the coalition which formed the Na-

speech are neither encouraged nor expected, where editorials are non-specific and even

change?

reviews of cultural events follow generic

formulas for fear

of offending

someone

somewhere? Is Maroukhian right that the ARF's lead-

ers and rank-and-file are "so closely connected and so attached to each other" that a split is out ofthe question? Or, as some in the party have lamented, did theexpulsion ordercome just when there seemed tobe afl ickerof hope that Maroukhian might have been ousted at the party's quadrennial General Assembly which had just convened in Yerevan? How much weight will the ARF's allegations that Ter-Petrosyan, too, has KGB connections carry when considering that domestic intelligence recruitment in the Soviet Union was so extensive that most prominent individuals were somehow approached? Why were such documents not produced during the intense election campaign of last year when the ARF tried so desperately to have its

tional Alliance survive?

Will its tactics

How to explain the ADLA's apparent flip-flop from participation in the National Alliance to publicly rejecting the Alliance's tactics while seeming to agree with its policies?

How will the relationship between the of Armenia and Karabakh

govemments

change? It was a daring but enormous gamble on Ter-PeEosyan's part. That there was no largescale reaction to his edict is perhaps an

indication of the measure of public confidence which he enjoys. It remains to be seen whether the questions he raises for Armenians in and out of Armenia will be answered rationally and

constructively. Still, these questions do not deal with the fundamental issue of an appropriate resolution for Karabakh that would ensure the physical survival of Armenians, and the territorial and political integrity of a young and most fragile new Armenian

republic. !

AIM, July 1992

Dentistry

Demonds Perfection We Commit

to Deliver

COVER STORY

1!\I li*r""

."r

tlff I\

,*tPt

ff *

*{ffi'iffin *"f r

fr#p

@flk

YS ",k

'ffii

.ri

BILL

OF HEAETH AN ANATOMY OF ARMENIAS MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM

By TONY HALPIN and VIKEN BERBERIAN AIM photos bY Mkhitar Khachatrian

If it wasn't so serious it woulcl bc lunny. Anlenia's health scnvicc is lt

eg..: .e

j{r*

.Eg,St.ffry

l.,1?ffi

r:.1

-ffih**

: . \

".."',.qqai:

,",alf , *". it

4ffi,

wonderland o1' weircl sc iencc. Evcrything is the reverse of what it seclns and nothing is as it shoulcl be. Consider this. Under the prescnt systclll. the state pays hospitals for the atnount ol'tirtlc that each becl is occupied. and doctors concernecl about l'uncling clcl theirbest to keep paticnts in hospitals over titre. They are joined in a contical conspiracy by cmployers whcl are happy to leavc workcrs in hospitals. Or this. There arc as rnany sick pcople as ever but the nun-rber o1'those attencling hospitals is falling. Though treatntent is constitutionally fiee, patients stay home. convinccd that they rnust pay bribes to cloctors, many of'whom lack prof-essior-ral qualillcations.

"Back in the old system. there were no establishecl standards," sitys Dr. Richard Babayan. prof'essor of urology at Boston University. "Arrcl there wits vcry little in the way of requirements for cerliflcatiorl ancl competence.In addition to intellectually superb inclividuals. there were others who were less than qualified." Armenia can ill aflbrcl to retain inconlpetent doctors who have cloggecl thc systclll by their sheer numbers. The -eood news is that a plan has been unveiled to streamline the systcm. The bad news is

AIM. July

1992

that the country is clearly deteriorating.

. Average

overall life expectancy fell from 72.8 years in 1979 to 70.1 last year, according to the state Bureau of Medical Statistics in Yerevan. . Cardiovascular diseases are Armenia's number one killer, followed by cancer and trauma associated with the earthquake and the war in Nagomo-Karabakh. . A 1992 World Bank report estimates a 50-percent increase in tuberculosis and pneumonia cases in the past year. . The World Bank report sets the infant mortality rate in 1990 at 17 per thousandlow compared to most developing countries, but nearly twice that of Germany. . One abortion takes place for every four births because of poor birth control, according to findings released by an intemational health conference sponsored by the World Health Organization. . The WHO study concludes that nearly 70 percent of multiple abortions performed in the former Soviet republics ended in infertility. "Abortion is the only form of contra-

ception

Armenia," says

Dr.

Nora

Nercessian, a Boston resident who helped a reproductive health center in Yerevan this summer. . The World Bank report notes that poor open

diet and widespread smoking has triggered a

rise in cardiovascular diseases and cancers among adults in Armenia. . Bureau of Medical Statistics figures show one in three children under 14 and one in seven adults suffered some kind of respiratory illness in each of the last two years. . Nearly l2 percent of adults were ffeated

for gastrointestinal illnesses and more than eight percent for blood diseases in the same period. . Five percent of the population suffered from neurological disorders.

,rl

t's no

Ministry's department of foreign relations. "Divide that by the population of Armenia, and the state allocates about 100 rubles per person per year. That is less than $ I ayear." In the United States, where millions of

Americans have no medical coverage and costs are out of control, the government spends 12.3 percent of its gross national

secret that Armenia's

health care system is in

a state

crisis," says Dr. Carolann Najarian, an internist at

Watertown Health Center in Massachusefts who has been to Armenia several times . "Just like all other parts ofthe society, it has been under ffemendous strain since the country's detachment from Moscow-its central sup-

plier." The break with Moscow has deepened the country's funding crisis. Armenia's annual health care budget at black-market rates is $3.5

million.

"That's almost 350 million rubles," says Dr. Sevak Avakian, who heads the Health

AIM, July 1992

Dr- Sevak Avaklan

A nurse with a baby at the Erebouni

product on health carc. In Amre nia, the gov-

Hospital's maternity ward; (below) a mobile medical clinic donated by diasporan organizations; (bottom) a newborn at the Armenian Mother and Child Health Protection

cmmcnt spends nearll'3 pcrccnt. The consequences of such low lcvcls of' f r-rncling are obvious. Equipment is antiquated. and Avakian says only l5 percent ol'patients get sulficient supplies of drugs. Painkillers arc thc principal shoftage. but demand fbr lrlc or dcath essentials. such as insulin tbr diabetics. lar outstrip public supplies.

Center in Yerevan

All ol this dirc diagnosis has spurred rlcbatc on the rrcccl to update Annenia's health carc systcrn. In the vanguard are

core

group ol'physicians. amons them Avakian. who is a visorous proponent of reform. He has becn instrunrcntal in sccuring tbreign aid and know ho*, lirr Annenian doctors since

thc

9l{t3 carthqrrakc.

Morc rcccntlv. ofticials havc

bccn stuclying lhc hcalth care rnode ls ol'Canada ancl Francc. Llsins data glcaned lroln thc West. the Hcalth Ministrv has subrnitted drali legislation to parlianrcnt to sel up a state insurance scheme in r.r'hich patients would contribute to thc cost of'their trcatlle nt. Bul the proposal is stalled in parlianrent and has 1'et to be discussed.

Hcalth Minister Dr. Ara Babloyan de-

scribes the proposal as a combination ol' laxes and insurance. Under the plan, thc governlrcnt would maintain present lcvels

ol' hcalth llncling through taxation.

and sr.rpplcnrent its huclget with monthly insurancc paynrcnts rnade by employees ancl their conrpanics. In adclition, the unemployed. the clcle rly and thc poor woulcl continue to have 1l'cc:rcccss, with cxpe nses paid in full by the

governnrcnt.

'['hc Ministry ol'Hcalth hopes to introduce the insurarrcc schcnrc bl lall. Il it gets its way, thc plan coulcl pump rnuch needed rcvcnuc into thc ailing health scrvice and

eliminate its most incfl'icient parls. By oft'ering competilrvc contmcts lirr cloctors who will be paicl on the hasis ol' thcir perfbrnrance-and de lcgating conlrol ol-hospitals Io managers. the rninistry hopcs to downsize the unw ieldl, hierarchv o1' health care.

Some 80.fi)0 people are crnployed in Annenia's health seruice, accorciing to the Bureau ol Medical Statistics. They include nearll l -5.0(X) doctors and 36,0U) nurscs, or onc doctor and mclre than two nurses firr eren, 2-50 peoplc. Although the country's 30.(XX) hospital beds are nonnal fbr thc Sovict svstetn. they are three times the widely accepted lcvcl in the United States. "tlospital chiet,s put extra beds in wards ancl in corriclors," Babloyan says. "lt gives thcrrr a chancc of'employing more doctors." The nrinistry's plan proposes to cut the n

urn [.rcr ot t hcsc bcds. I t al so cal I s fbr reduced

govcrnnrcnt involverncnt in health care b)' handing ovcr sonre o1'Anrcnia's 179 hos-

pitals and rl)orc than 2(X) polvclinics to charities and thc church 1o run privatell. Some hcalth cxpcrts in thc West clearly' support parts ofthc plan. "lf I had a dream. I would wipe oul 30

hospitals in Armenia to build three modern ones," says Mary Najarian. a nurse and an executive member of the Glendale-based Medical Oulreach ol'Calilbmia. "They were built -50 to 60 ycars ago." Yerevan physicians are also aware of the shortcomings of the leftover Soviet system. Dr. Grigor Grigorian. direclor and chief surgeon of the Yerevan Rcpublican Hospital, the largest in the city. strongly supports local managemcnt ol'hospitals. Hc is blunt about how to grcase Amrenia's rigid hcalth care system.

have ll.7(X) workcrs in all."

says

Grigorian. "lf I had lullcontrol here, I would tire 800 of them and no onc would f'eel thcir Ioss. About 1.50 of thesc would be doctors." No mechanism exists to allow Grigorian to purge almost a third of the doctors at the Republican Hospital orto increase the pay of

AIM. July 1992

Dr. Grigor Grigorian 1.5

goodones. Whiledoctors' salaries wereraised in June to I ,000 rubles a month-the equivalent of $ lO-many deserve to be paid at least 20,000 rubles, he says. "I must have the right to pay doctors what they deserve, otherwise it's vain to talk about

which is tottering now that Moscow's support has disappeared. "Hospitals must be closed and the number of doctors reduced," says chief of cardiology the Republican Hospital, Rafael Stamboltsian. "There are fears that those who are going to quit will undoubtedly resist. But there's no other way, we must do it." Whether this consensus will hold when push comes to shove and doctors begin losing their jobs remains to be seen. Right now, no one has really swallowed any of the prescriptions to improve the system. The Health Ministry hopes its insurance plan will be the cure, but many doctors, used to free treatment under socialized medicine, have rejected the

reform."

For all his support of market reform, Grigorian opposes the Health Ministry's plan to charge patients for services. "I am an adherent ofthe general idea of privatization, but I can't support it in the present state of the economy," he says. "It seems immoral to stranglethe people with an insurance fee." He also fears that the introduction offees

will create a two-tier medical system, with

idea.

richer patients occupying separate, more

"lf l0 years from now the country is still in dire economic straits, then I think one has to be reconciled with the idea of a very centralized form of health care," says Dr. Aram Chobanian, dean of Boston University's Medical School. "It will not be easy to have it privatized like it is in the United States."

comfortable wards. There areotherdoubts about the ministry's

proposals. With so many factories on the brink of financial collapse, some wonder whetherit makes sense torequirethemtopay a large percentage of health costs for workers. And it is notclearwhethercharities orthe church could take over hospitals without any state funding. There is a danger, too, that

Dr. Rafael Stamboltsian services may become concentrated in Yerevan, leaving rural areas without adequate coverage.

But nobody defends the present system,

Looking fora Few Good Kidneys Kidney transplantation illustrates both the

strengths and weaknesses

of Armenia's

medical system. The country briefly had an adult transplant progmm in 1986, when 28 patients received kidney transplants, before frnancial and administrative problems halted operations. A third of the recipients did not survive the operation, but transplants were successful in halfthe cases, and seven patients are still alive today. In May last year, Dr. Ara Babloyan, now Minister of Health, performed Armenia's frst kidney transplanton a child. Since then, another six youngsters have receivednewkidneys, with one death, two organ rejections, and four successes in all. Doctors clearly have the technical ability to perform transplants, but there are neithergovemment fundsnororganizations to support them. Operations are paid for by charity organizations, and the kidneys come from St Petersburg, since no organ donor program exists in ArmeniaFach transplanlcosts ahut l00,000rubles ($ 1,000), according to Dr. ArturMelikjanian, akidney specialist u Yerevan's Fulmanov Steet Children's Clinic. The same operation in the United States costs $50,000, he noted. "Charity organizations pay for the operations because the govemment will pay only for dialysis, not transplants," he said. "The institute of surgery is closed for this program because itis veryexpen$ive."Tenpatients are on awaiting list for the right kidney to become available. Another 2fi) rely for life on l0 dialysis machines donated by SOS Arm6nie, a charity organization with chapters in Switzerland and Belgium. "We need transplantation for all of them," said Melikjanian. "But our chances arc very small; in the near future we can do no more than 20 transplants a year." Doctors are trying to stimulatepublic interest inan organ donor

With reporting

by Gayane Hambar-

tsoumian in Yerevan.

program forArmenia. But they say people do not like to donate. It is a psychological problem. So far, lhe youngest patient with a new kidney is ll-year-old Arousiak Vartanian. Unfornrnately, her body rejected the organ in May but doctors fought successfully to save her life. They will rry again in six months. The oldest is Siroun Haroutunian,22, who also had the operation i, May. "I feel very good," she said. Fellow fiansplaot patients Artur Mangasarian and Knarik Navarsardian,

bottr 17, nodded in agreernent, "I feel very well now too," said Knarik, who was described as exuemely ill before her ope.ration. !'I can only ttrank the doctors who saved our lives. People should donate kidneys." Drugs to fight organ rejection are expensive. Melikjanian said the clinic was still using zupplies bought with rubles before the Soviet Union collapsed, but next year it will have to buy drugs in hard currency from TonyHalptn

AIM, July

switzerland

1992

{

Freshness you can feel.

l5 l^/ n

a::i :1-,:

r*f

1.r' r" idtrle.E

Health Talk

And we can'toverlook the enormously frustrating shortages of drugs. Armenia itself has avery small pharmaceutical industry; and now that it has become independent, the shortage of medication has become even more pronounced. For this reason, developing a pharmaceutical industry is one of our majorobjectives.

Minister of Health Dr. Ara Babloyan onthe Crisis and ProposedChanges inArmenia's Medical Care System

You have presented draft legislation to the pailia. ment. What does it propose? If passed, it will regulate the fi nancing of

By TONY HALPIN

the ministry and provide fbr a phasing into an insurance system of health

Dr. Ara Babloyan, 45, was appointed Armenia'

s Minister of Health inDecemberl99l. Born into a family of doctors, Dr.

abloyan graduated from the Yerevan Institute of Medicine, and was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of St. Petersburg in 1987. Dr. Babloyan established a urological center in Yerevan in I 990, and in May I 99 I he performed Armenia's frst kidney transplant operation on a child. He has since

care. In this regard, we are

completed four more kidney transplants on children, and remains a practicing surgeon as well as a cabinet minister. AIM: What reforms are being planned in health cane?

BABLOYAN: We plan to bring

change to the whole system

health care, starting with the flnancing, administration and structure. Even the teaching methods and education ofdoctors need change. All these changes need to be introduced within the guidelines of decentralization. We have to be very cautious in this regard, however, because people have gotten used to a totalitarian mind-set in the past 70 years. We alsohave to increase the general educational level of doctors in order to match international standards in the quality of health care.

A Yiew forn Otrtside his direction, the B[1 SM last year si gnei an

ffitiation

agreement with the Urdergrailaa&, and Fottgrduatte Medial Institutes ofYerevarcArmenia' s fi,rstfornwl ffiliation with an American

medicalschoal.

llrert

a crisis ln Arrnenien rnedi,eine today?

Yes, there is. The system: itrself lian plpblolts in that there isn't a good: health care o{gauirotiorl,''*trd delivery:system. There is an abundance of physicians, specialists and hospitals.

trthat

Well, whiie there is an abundance of health care providers, coordiis not optirnal, TtQre are municipal hospitals, and therc,are clinics tlr*trelate to'thom. Xherc arc also state hospitals that relate tq Moscow:but not to the municipal hospitals. For example, educatiorial institutions like the Postgr{uate Medical Institute had ties to Moscow and are only now <tevilqplng lhem with Yerevan. At thepresent timc.A$neniq needs a system that delivers health services iaUp Or1** cdre'area and toallocate resurrces to implement preventive programs like proper immuniziations and confol of sanitary conditions.

Andorra, and have been

closely

studying

Canada's system of state-sponsored health care.

There is no tried-

and-true recipe that

would help Armenia develop its health care Health Minister Dr. Ara Babloyan system. In studying the experiences of different countries, we are looking into the deficiencies and advantages ofeach as well as their cost-effectiveness. In the longrun, Armeniawill havetoaccept the health insurancesystem, but it will be a gradual transition-it's impossible to introduce it in one swoop. So, we will have a budget insurance program, where every will get guaranteed medical aid.

person

Gould you discuss the specifics of this system? As the state budget forhealth care in Armenia is very low, we plan to keep it at the present level and have people pay for insurance every

klfieanrgplioatingthe

U.8,

rystom?

oar,e move toward privatiratlon? , r I :: I think there is such adesire now moE than 111 g16,pnet. tr bolieve

thould haalth

there will be

combination of pdvately and publicly supported health caredeliverysystemn. Itwil}@ndon availableresources. Usually in such sinradons, maximurn benefits come from implemeqtiqg primary aflre Prograrns that include pqper pediafic care, pre-ndal care and pimary units that facilitate eosy access to physicians. ,Medical aad surgical p1gqed$es that depqnd on sophisticated and expensive techn.o,|p{ shgulil he inmduced at a later date. a

fu',yeu ppdiite ur rrgnrding ths alllliation gram bctwecn youl tchoo! and Arrrrenia?

bad?

nation between hospitals

France; we also have invited specialists from

I would say no. In the United States, we're spending more than l2 percent of the GNP on health care. The estimate for Armenia is less than three percent. I $usp4tit's worse now.

Dr. Aratn Chobanian is dean of Boston lJniversity's School of

Il nder

the

Doer

By VlKEfl BAEII(HIIi I{.Dr, M edic inc.

working with

S6curit6 Sociale

pro.

We are rying to obtain funds from the United States Agenry for Intemalional Devetqpmenl lYtiat we're trying to do is impact our government to seg;Sat rtrore of the money available for the newly indeperdent states goes to Armenia. Ourpriorities hadtochange. The issue of whattodo now is different than whar we had originally been looking at; at that dme, it was more for the long term. Given the present conditions in Armenia, we have to try to get more of thepie that our govemment is allocating to the newly independent States;'A$ conditions improve, we will increase the educational level of assislance.

AIM, July

1992

E4.H[UN ruSITIESS SENUIEE Now you dorit have to make call after call searching for answers about your small business accounts. With One Call Business Service you can handle virtually any small btuiness transaction 24 hours a day with just one call to aWells Fargo Business Agent. Transfer funds between accounts. Review deposits and withdrawals. Call in dre payroll. You can even access your business line of credit around the clock-only at \0Uells Fargo.

So if your bank has you making too many calls, save time and switch toWells Fargo. Stop by your local Wells Fargo office today. And come to the only bank where you can do all your btsiness banking with just one ca[.

wEl.r.s

olE)2.wFB.N.A

F:I\RGO

BANI( Hollywood Office

Mar Vista Office Gary Ghazarian

Zohrab Mkhitarian

310,390,8066

213.253.7531

month. Hospital patients must share the costs of their treatment with their employers. The main goal is to increase the amount of money being spenton health. I envisage setting up a separate foundation to be responsibleforthe divisionof money in thehealth system. Wewantto ensure an intensive-not an extensive not to count the patients coming into hospital and staying-approach, there 20days unnecessarily, but the number of patients undergoing effective treatment. The small sum apatientpays the hospital is alsogoing tomakethat person thinkaboutwhetherit's worth goingtothedoctor, andthis will lighten the burden on physicians. But it will not be big enough to prevent a really sick person from seeking treatment. We are studying the problem of payment levels with the S6curit6 Sociale de France, but have not made any specific recommendations yet. But one thing is obvious-the employer is going to pay much more than the patient. At present we are considering a mandatory state insurance system. Every employed person will have to contribute, and people will pay according to what they eam. However, the state will foot the bill for the most socially unprotected segment of the population. There will of course be a private insurance system as well. We want to both preserve state-owned medical care and develop private

Priorities for Armenia's Health Gare System R e b ui

We don't want to remove anything artificially, although I expect it will happen by itself. Ifdoctors are paid according to the level of services they render and the effectiveness ofthe treatment, those who deal only with certain minor disorders and have just a few patients will understand that they don't fit into the system. There will also be a quality control scheme, so that any doctor whose quality ofservice is not high enough will have to undergo retraining orbecalled forretirement. Probably half the numberof doctors we now have willfit into anefficienthealth system. In developed countries, it is acceptable to have one doctor for every 1,000 people.

Do you expect resistance from the medical profession? I believe that by introducing the mechanism whereby every doctor is paid for the number of patientshetreats, the Ministry of Health will notbe firing him. He will essentially be firing himself.

ll the proposed reforms are not implemented quackly, what will happen to the health sewice? I can't even say what will happen if these reforms are implemented soon. Until the economy gets to a relatively stable basis, the system will be unable to find the appropriate resources. If we don't provide necessary measures for the future

development of medical care, the gap between the poor and the rich will become enormous. If the economy develops normally and the health reforms are implemented, there will be a smoother development of private and state health care systems. Having the present system for much longer threatens our survival. People demand what they have gotten used to, and patients in Armenia want the same treatment available in the

West. I

tur in g

t.D.

Considering the flux which engulfs the Republic of Armenia, it is very difficult to make projections from the current situation to the future with any reasonably valid process.The as acrisisoperation four years after the earthquake. Four deaths in the nursery of a hospital paralyze the total attention of the ministry for months. essential that under such circumstances comprehensive

health sectoris still run

will

Will you havethe needto eliminate manyphysicians and hospitals from the system?

R e s truc

By HAROUTUilE K. ARUElllAil,

medicine. Once financial problems are solved, there will be an opportunity to hand some ofthe hospitals over to church and charity foundations that are able to sponsor them. We will stop involvement in these hospitals and pass along full responsibility to them. This also help ease our budget crunch.

ldi n g and

lt is

programs be implemented that address the broader needs of the whole population. Such programs should be developed not on the basis of the mortality and morbidity statistics but with a perspective on the ability of the available health services to cope and absorb change. Health care priorities must be based on vulnerable age groups, important problems ofdelivery of services, and special need groups such as the quake-affected population and the refugees. Although rebuilding and upgrading of health care facilities has been an important focus of the assistance to Armenia, restructuring of the health care system must be the major focus of the efforts by the Ministry of Health and by the various agencies assisting Armenia. There are anumberof projects thatfall within this framework and are very important for Armenia:

A netlonwidc

altemative approaches need to be developed for financing the health care system in Armenia. Two years ago, a special expert commiftee was meeting underthe auspices of the Ministry of Health to study the various options for the country. A program of development needs to be setupto provide forthe transition to altemative financing systems.

A public health and primaly care prog?am Although the system of public health and primary care has the right structure, ithas been isolated fordecades from the developments that have occurred elsewhere in the world. It is imperative that the services provided to the population be oriented towards primary care and public health, since much of the attention of foreign aid so farhas been on specialized services for the severely injured and handicapped.

disasts pneparcdnest ptogram

The need to develop the critical capability and the institutional capacity to manage disaster and emergency situations has been amply demonstrated by the 1988 earthquake. Such a program would focus

A manpower development program

on developing and undertaking of training and exercises; ensuring that at all times the emergency support teams, equipment, facilities and transportation are deployed readily; coordinating disaster preparedness and relief programs with other intemational relief agencies, and encouraging hazard mitigation measures, including development of land use and construction standards.

With the restructuring of the services and the reorientation of the programs in the Ministry of Health, the govemment needs to embark on a major manpower development program. Such a program will aim at training key expertise in the health care sector, as well as train the trainers for a process ofre-education of a large number of health professionals. The establishment of a graduate school of public health in Armenia will provide modem management and leadership expertise for the various components of the health care system.

An information system lor quality assurance

now llnencing 3tt.tem for health

With a movement in the country toward a market economy, and the increased expectations ofthe population for better quality ofcare,

The emphasis here is on the development of an evaluation system

managed

by the health professionals that will ensure a

certain

standard ofhealth care. In addition to the evaluation of the quality of care, the system will provide the opportunity to improve and update the process of care as well as the competencies of the profes-

sionals via continuing education and other programs. Such a system

will

be essential to

monitor

health care delivered outside the framework state health services.

In addition to these programs. it is important to encourage organizations that work at the grassroos level, and that assist the formal infrastructure of

the Ministry of Health and local health departments in health promotion activities, and that ensure community participation in health programs. However, whateverchanges that are introduced

havetomakeeconomic sense. The introductionof sophisticated and inefficient technologies may do more harm than help Armenia. Not all the specialized skills of diasporan Armenian physicians are essential for Armenia at present. One has to be

careful at the long-term effect of redirecting meager current resources from preventive care and public health action to rarely needed technological advances.

Finally, it is imperative that growth h private

medicine and the development

alternative

sources of medical care in Armenia not be done at

the expense of public health. Armenia cannot afford the type ofoperation ofspecialized services that exists in the United States. It is extremely important to invest in the healthy furure of the nation and develop strong public health and preventive services. (Left) People crowd the entrance to the maternity clinic No. 2 in Yerevan; (top) a state.subsidlzed prescription pharmacy; nurse Hamest Chakirlan operates the computerized traumatological diagnosis machine

AIM, July

1992

Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian is professor of epidemiology and director ot the Master of Public Health Program at Johns Hopkins University

in Baltimore, Maryland.

Hamburgas. HotDogs. Cbicbn. Sanduicbes. Pizza. And morc. Ctntomers canfill up for bss at am/pm

mini

Use yourATM card toJill up uitb gasoline at low casb prices - utitbout ttsing up your casb

Fill up utitb ARCO's neut EC-Premium UnleadedP The cleanest buming, bigb octane

gasoline

markets.

or bauing to baue tbe island. And you can get up to $40 in casbfrom tbe casbier.

anr madefor Califuruia.

UUE HAUE

TIORE

ITI[1| OIEWAYIOTIuUP

OI'RqEIflIER$

AIARCO, we've always been known for innovation. If there's a better way do it, we find it. \Xhether it's our new emission control gasolines, our Grsh saving PayPoint Network$ geattasting fast food, or a variety of grocery items at reasonable prices, we always have the same goal. Giving people better quality, and more convenience, at abeltet price.

frll*'t HUUP ]0T 1E33.

And "do it yourself' sofi senn and

pgutfordessen in

cones or sundaes.

An innouator witb

8ffi

"Pass or

ker,

soda, snacks

and

grrceria. Custornec are surprised hou easJ) it is to fill upfor less at am/pm

mini

markets.

Dont

Pay" smog cbecks,

OurTbirsty Tun Ouncera anotber way Pople canfill up at am/pm

Announcing...

The Armenia Fund For Foreign Atfairs 4ruluruururfifr tl.purrupfrG 9.npfing 4hilfitunnud

Republic ol Armenia

{llSUUSA!}' lUl,0Utb30l.F8U1, 1,Ul.U}Ut pn*s'ocilT oE L nEPUBLIoUE o.ARIENIE

Ministry of Foreign Aftairs

txar }rlaBrtr UrrnbLD

lUgnblurrf Slbn

LoJousulit uJuon qsl^lnrd I hl quudnrPJul, udLtupoluunfnz thlrf url ulrop}rth1m fitupo{a1nrp;ub }ugsquJnrpJn!t!, tlhf'ehl, Jnpotuun!b uufbtLnh

duiloto\ofiEurlulnulr'loftnh{ ub$u\ut }ulru1

nr{ udFnq8uu}Jrultut fiur,u\uyrqnrrl qn;uuLtlnt 6olrqufulrf p, LbnltuJlrt .lupupo4]r lutlpf 2ntp2 uubl}{u} FuIl1 ]Iu{h6uh, rrb! gtrrpJut uqtlb glrlotu\thnhg rlrlnu gutrln4 uluof |rt qnplnttrtpfr on\u;ilp;nrttr Dulrp \ugnrp.lotr utrtL bb \utqtrhgpbl fiullhtlrPp UhudEuotul, qEul,brPJntt uJu rlutrs2leqlrmrl b1\pnp1 utuqu!, rlhq ptpngf

61ratu{uln!pJnrL I pL&tnnrf {bnu\utgtLln! 6o3\o\ut ut\u}v L tlttf l'lu\tnltf lnttbhf [nJrgttLhr oJ! qusbfinlpJnrt!,futqlr utr\u!nrp;ut h oquunrp;uL qE'togulthn[ dult tuqnn ut le t;npo\otugrlot lrprulu 6tnotr\o1 ntrtt: luJuuuutp, bnaqu\ut 6olroquJrnnq, dlrgoqqu;lrt llrrlnrt{u} qbushuUhLpJnL'L[,

u[qpnrtf trbp]rt fiurluuluuuulutr, inlu\b1 I ]rp ]r$f t[r2lrutrnrp;ntlp: UuUuJb nurru2Fupfi u3|rt forluf u\utrrup;ut uuqophqn+d bb1!u,yu9t{u} Uttbg t{ dh2qqquJhtr hno{mtflr unp;b\u 4untru14 ut6tueJ't'1, t Enulrg dh} t.ppu\ut trLplpnrlthplr: Ltp\u lrporilr6u\nrf r1u iul4r pbr t4ltrbp bpfruuuoprl LuJouurlrh lut nuolturupJutr 6uduf : Iluuh tp1 trl utxrl Abq, uhlt$ nqJnblrolrhgttn, oqlrhl Uo;p lo;phtlrtlrt u31 \uJrLnpuqnr;l: qnlled, uttUgtl h lrqwutl 2.uJouuulrh uJ'suflrt qnlitplr nlnllrulpudfr

Aenia i. fr!. rnd ird€p.nd.nt agr1n, A6 it r.tqrnr to tbe trrlly ot fraa mtlgnr, our der.tlg, D*ly Bover6iqB atata rqulrd ! aound tinarcLrl blE to anrlra lta th. .ff.ctl.vr dl}lgBttd @tr6eh. 1lr. Et.bllihr.nt o! {b...1.., diapatch and a{tport ol i!b$i.dart, olflclrl dalaEltiona and othor p€aaNl, t.ha pr@qr@nt ot sodarn.qulprint l@ our Llralona, g.norailq prol.aaloral lha edqatlQ ot ou firat dlplomt., of, cra€ to aad oaher related act.LvLtlGr alll 3uvr to qrry lmnl..r thc rorld. tlrc ArmrirA cqvernilant. und6. th. lederBhlp of, Pr{l&nt ta@ tund for !0r.16 lftrlr. t{-P.tr6Ltn, htj efritad l!h. lrurl. rt.t. r,or thc flrst lle lniti.tl,v. of awr an officlal dlaarsi6nr h.s o9.red b€tor. ur th. bl.tortc intsrn.tloml opportunity to givc lmi.. fightirg chanc. to h.v9 ltr votca h6qrd loud and cI@ ln ths .ren. of @rl.a dlploucy. lou rr. Itrvlt.d to Ekr y6s @Btrlbutlon to th. FunC and to h.).p rdt ou shori-tsm gal of lriildisq it to Be l6vel of tloo rllllon. S6 AmenLan d.kpar.lon--Iror Europe lnd the krlca3 to llra hlddlr 8a3t asd tha oriant--x.r born of pain ahd lErgaeutlon. But today, *e !!a. vorldyida IDople th.t has gained grart profaralqrl axtrartlai, acqulred lDordlnale lilkLlGctq.l 6tr€ngth, vorkad h.rd to d€vrlop l@nao Eatsrlal E.lth, and i.intalo.d th. alep Drrl couitDant daliv.red to E by our parents and grandplranti. fo ar. nd unlquety pdltlgDed to turr tbe inltill tragrdy ol diartFr. ltrto th. ultlEte vldory of Hayaatan. 'lho ncu lreIlc bal.onqs tg a.ch rnd .Ery ona of ua. lnd lf re r1"c6 ta thr eaaion of p@llnE our lrctantial and harDessing our sGrglai thG vorld ov.r, thrn oi becoic th. tDrunert Esrdirnr of lenh rnd thG collactiva guarrntor! of a brlght, 6ecsae futura ls eur hola1rd. JgL! ur h Bklng llb.rty 1..t.

uutlhlutp: Iftn Fntrylu 6oqufu\{t 2utfbpn{ t lu;ouuutp r}untuln! turl\ntu, dnlnrh4uqunoLlut qLunrp3rrtr, nu{u2luu16u;}rt ffudsJtfh uldulrh ut4u{,

d str.Vt-?-"l*L Lb{n! sbrr-rrbsnouSurr

AnU_e[je Funf Dgngl Gatesgfles lnlluruqurfiifr \rudun President's Circle Fruptprup

Benefactor

&n[uGrurnJr

Sponsor

Fuphtpr{

Friend

4urtru[frp

Supporter

lnquiries and lnformation

. Ministry

0rnhpfthpp nr[41{h ftrnhhurl fiurughrnl' Please send your non-deductible contibution to:

thp US

1,000,000 and above

$ $ $ $

100,000 and above 10,000 and above

The Armenia Fund at Chase Manhathn Office of Annenia's Fermanent Reprcsenhtive 122 C Sfeet, NW #360

Washingon,

DC 20001

1,fi10 and above

of Foreign Affairs

100 and above

The Armenian Govemment will acknowledge

alldonations.

10 Baghramian Avenue e Yerevan, Armenia

Tel: (78852) 52-35-31

!r*rribetoAIM

It's a Whole Ir{ ew World! *

Every month AIM brings

the

dazzlingfocus infull color

* *

fast-changing Armenian world into

just report events. AIM takes you behind the scenes for the whole story, keeping you informed on today's vital issues. Through its network of reporters in Armenia and around the world, We don't

AIM brings Armenian communities together in all their rich variety.

politics or sport, the arts or business,fashion or science-you'llfindit all inAIM! Full coverage of the controver-

*< Whether you like

sial topics, provocative ideas, and creative people making up the mo de r n Arme ni an e xpe ri e nc

You can't

afford to miss a single issue!

AIM is your quality guide to the historic events affecting Armenians everywhere. 0ur expert writers will keep you ahead of developments, with insightful reporting and authoritative

analysis. Join us for AIM's second exciting year. Call 1 â&#x201A;Ź00-SEND-AIM or return the AIM subscription form

ARM. EN]ANi

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZIN E

h{ffi"

:xn v _COfr,fry6

*".y|*.uJ'- ifo"o

A New Concept To Jewelry Pockoging

* A Definitive Stotement Of Elegonce And Quolity

* Complete

New Line Of Disploys Coming

Soon!

El]Ro-BCX&bSPLAX Sd/arlrci4hro $a4,, 181 BERGEN BLVD. FAIRVIEW, N,J. O7O22

CALL US

1-8m 348-3335

FAX: (201) 313-940d TEL:1201) 3B-1388

COOPERS & LYBRAND Certified Public Accountants

ARARAT HOME OF LOS ANGELES,INC. 15105 MISSION HILLS RD. MISSION HILLS, CALIFORNIA 91345 PH (818) 36s-3000 FAX (818) 898-0224

Elrarat Home

INDEPENDENT ATJDITORS' REPORT Board of Directors

Armat Home of [,os Angeles, Inc. We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Ararat Home of Los

December 31,

ARARAT COTWALESCENT HOSPITAL

statement ofrevenues and expenses and changes

in fund balance, and cash flows forthe yemthen

2373 COLORADO BOI.]LEVARD

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORN1A 9OO4I PH (213) 2s6-8012 Dear Memben

of the Armenian Community

in Southem Califomia:

Angeles,lnc. as of

l99l and 1990, and the related

[,os

fugeles

ended. These financial statements are the responsibility ofthe Company's management. Our

responsibility is to express an opinion ofttrese financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with

generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and

prform

the

audit to obtain reasonable assurance about

We ake great pride and pleasure to submit herewith Coopers and Lybrand, C.P.A., Independent Auditor's Report and the Balance Sheet

whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examin-

of Assets and Liablilities of fuarat Home of [.os

ing, on a test basis, evidence supporting tlrc arnounts and disclosures in the financial state-

Angeles, Inc. as of December 31, 1991.

Phase One

of our Mission Hills

$21,000,000 Community Centerisnow completed.

On June

27,

1992

opinion.

In our opinion, the furancial state-

ment referred to above present

admit-

ting our new applicants and a limited number

timates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement

provide a reasonable basis for our

new facility. We are presently

accounting principles used and sigrrificant es-

presentation. We believe that our audits

moved

our residents to our most impressive

ments. An audit also includes assessing tlre

of rooms and

suites are now available. We sincerely thankyou

for your generous and con-

tinued support of Araral Home of los Angeles-.

position of fuarat Home of Angeles,lnc.

Robert Shamlian Chairman Ararat Home of

[,os Angeles, Inc.

los

of December 31,

l99l and 1990,

and the results

of its operations and

cash

fl ows for the years then ended,

in conformity wittr generally accepted accounting principles.

Crf.--

(Rd:/zar7

fairly,

in all material respect, the financial

â&#x201A;Ź

#.-A

Los Angeles, Califomia

March20,1992

End of The

resolutions 242 and 338.

What are the Administration's policy objectiver in the lliddle East?

Zerc-Sum Game

there is any lesson to be leamed from the Iraqi aggression

against Kuwait, it is thateveryeffort shouldbemade forthe counffies ofthe region to bolster their individual defenses, to agree upon some

Edward Djerejian on the Mid-East Peace Process and the Post-Gulf War Era By IRENE ilOSALU

sort of collective security iurangement among themselves, and to strengthen ties with outside friends such as ttre United States. With its incomparable natural and human resources, the Middle East is of vital significance to American interests. Ever since the Gulf War, we have concentrated our efforts on promoting national and regional defense measures, particularly among member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Where is the peace ptocess headed now?

WASHINGTON DC

Let me tell you that we're not at all discouraged by the rocky road

Edward Djerejian, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastem and South Asian Affairs, is a career diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East and the Soviet Union. The former U.S. Ambassador to Damascus was instrumental in clearing the way for a new dialogue with Syrian officials who helped release American hostages in Beirut. Djerejian, a native New Yorker, topped Secretary of State James Baker's list of candidates to replace Jack Matlock as U. S. Ambassador to Moscow last year. Fluent in French, Russian, Armenian and Arabic, Djerejian, 53, has held senior positions in the U.S. embassies of Amman, Casablanca, Beirut and Moscow. He also served as Principal Officer at the Consulate General in Bordeaux, France. The interview was conducted at the State Department.

the peace conference has had to deal with. Consider the recent bilateral meetings, for instance: we have overcome substantial procedural obstacles. And Arabs and Israelis are now talking to each other. Ultimately, however, success at the round table depends on the commitment of all the parties involved-Palestinians, Israelis, Jordanians. These talks, as initiated by President Bush and Secretary Baker, are part and parcel of quite a viable process, and we see it getting stronger with each negotiation, with each and every building block for mutual respect and understanding. As far as practical aims are concemed, we would like to encourage the creation of an interim Palestinian autonomous govemment. We

had originally outlined a one-year time frame for this particular objective. The next phase would involve final negotiations on the status of such a govemment.

What about lsraeli occupation of southem Lebanon and its incessant bombing ol that region?

East changed in the aftermath of the Gold Wal?

Violence, under any banner, is reprehensible. Now that a truly effective peace process has been undertaken, we must make sure that the remaining obstacles to a just settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict are overcome. A case in point is the cluster of lrbanese militias like the Hezbollah, which refuse to sunender theirarms to the [rbanese govemment in accord wittr the Taif agreement. We must give the Lebanese govemment

D.TEBEJIAI{: The major geopolitical shifts of

the opportunity to fully restore its power

Alt:

Has U.S. policy in the lliddle

the last few years have had a rippling effect on the

throughout the country. We must make sure that

Middle East. We've got a whole new spectrum of power relations in the region, and U.S. policy is actively responding to these changes. With the demise of what I call the "zero-sum

all militias are eventually disarmed. Peace must be given a chance.

game" [the superpower practice of maintaining a geopolitical checks-and-balances system, whereby the United States and the Soviet Union strove to secure relatively equal shares of competing alliances and spheres of influencel, the United States and the confederate states of the formerSoviet Unionhave indeed shedalegacyof confrontation and competition, and are entering an era of cooperation and even partnership. There is tremendous effort on the parts of both Washington and Moscow to work together on Mid-East issues and to achieve our ultimate goal of establishing security and stability with justice. All things considered, I think we're in a moment of great historic

opportunity. And right now the highest priority on the U.S. Administration's Mid-East agenda is to push for the successful completion of the Arab-Israeli peace process. I, on my part, will continue to press foracomprehensive peace settlement based on U.N. 24

Do you see the upcoming Lebanere elections as a positive developmeat? We certainly support free and fairelections in lrbanon. With adequate planning and prepara-

tion, such as campaigning for voter registration and reorganizing electoral districts, it can become a step in the right direction. It is also important that candidates and voters alike should be able to participate in the elections without fear

or intimidation. This is why the United States and the international community will be watching the election process very closely.

Has the Taif Accord had any real impact on Leba. non? People forget that not too long ago a full-fledged civil war was raging in Lebanon. That warhas now ended, and I think the Taif Accord is to be credited for this achievement. Another positive consequence of the accord is that lrbanon's basic public institutions,

AIM, July 1992

such as the parliament and army, are being resurrected. Taif has been a good beginning, and we must continue to build on it in cooperation with the lrbanese government and, especially, Syria, which has

played an important role in shaping the accord.

Dces the United States consider Syria a country that 3pon3ors international terrorism? We are in constant dialogue with the Syrian govemment on this and otherissues. And we hope this willingness to discuss such matters

will bear fruit. Among the most positive results of our talks with President [Hafezl Assad has been his decision on a very humanitarian issue: the granting of Syrian Jews the freedom to travel and dispose of their properties.

next "ism" to confront the West. How will the U.S. deal with lslamic fundamentalism? Religion is not a determinant-positive or negative-in the nature or quality of our relations with other countries. Our quanel is with extremism-the violence, denial, intolerance, intimidation, coercion and sheerterror-thatoften accompanies religion. As aprinciple, we differ with those, regardless of theirreligion, who practice terrorism, oppress minorities, preach intolerance, or violate internationally accepted standards of conduct regarding human rights; with those who are insensitive to the need for political pluralism; with those who o o c f

s !,)

What is your impression of the Armenian

E f :]

community in Syria? Armenians have had a long and significant pres-

ence in that country. Today, it is a prosperous, highly respected community, particularly in Aleppo, and it is closely integrated with Syrian society. I have also witnessed the important role that cultural and religious

o o

traditions play in the lives of Syrian-Armenians.

han has resisted diplomatic normalization with the United States. Will the Administration enter into a dialogue with lran? We have made it quite clear that the United States is prepared to enter into a dialogue with authorized representatives of the Iranian government, but we have yet to see a positive response coming from Tehran. A major theme for discussion is Iran's conas the Hezbollah and, by extension, its determination to sabotage the

tinuous support of terrorist grcups such

Arab-Israeli peace process. We are also concemed about Tehran' s ambitions to

build weapons of mass destruction. Nevertheless, we are open to possibilities, and we believe that Iran can make a very positive contribution to the stability of the

whole region.

What is yout asaessment of the Turkishlranian power play in the Gaucasus?

was in Ankara in February and had high-level officials. I left with the clear impression that Turkey was striving to establish peaceful relations, especially in terms of economic

discussions with Turkish

and commercial cooperation, with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran. tndeed, it seemed to me that Ankara was committed to achieving peace and stability with all its neighbors.

How does the Amedcan govcrnment view Armenia? Does it have a clear position on

thc Karabakh conflict? I think Washington would like to foster a friendly and productive relationship with the govemment of Armenia. It also wants to work toward a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The situation remains very grave in that part of the world, and the challenge is to spare no effort to seek reconciliation and comprehensive solutions to these problems. On the part of Armenia, it seems to me that there is the willingness to establish peaceful and stable

cloak their message in another brand of authoritarianism; with those who prefer religious and political confrontation to constructive engagement with the rest of the world; with those who do not share our commitment to the peaceful resolution of national or regional conflicts, especially the Arab-Israeli issue; and with those who would pursue their goals through repression and violence.

relations with all neighbors, including Turkey. lrene Mosalli is a

You've said that the U.S. does not yiew lslam as the

lrelance writer

frequent contributor to AIM

AIM, July 1992

based in Washington, D.C.,

and

Everyone knows to get ahead in business you need

Combine all this with a list of popular names we

to be connected with the proper computer hardware and

carry, such as Macintosh, Epson and Novell, along with

software systems.

flexible financing options plus special rebate programs, and we've got you wired-up for success.

But in order to do it right, you have to know the right people. Like the experienced systems engineers and analysts atthe Burbank Connecting Point. Our experl

Agedo

computer consultants possess both the technical knowledge

Connecfing Poinf'HEH-

and hands-on experience to offer professional advice and

Susiness Center

COMPUTER CENTER

solutions for all your business computer needs, in addition to

providing complete support and qualified training.

I North

First Sn'eet, Burbank, CA 91502,8181843-7954

Tomake itin business, you have to have the right connections.

Weid World Father Haroutiun Bezdikian on the Psychology andTransformntion of the Ghetto By ISHKHAI{ JII{BASHIAN aple Avenue, Glendale, Califor-

nia.

By 12 noon, the park is teeming with the sounds of well-accustomed ritual. Congregations of old men, all immaculately kempt, weave fantastic webs of conspiracy theories, blast the state of the welfare system, spatterendless gobs of moral

This is one picture that repeatedly confronts Father Haroutiun Bezdikian, principal of the Mekhitarian High School in Aleppo, Syria, in his travels through the diasporan communities. And it unfolds further. A couple of blocks down, one finds the frenzied goings-on of the Westemized bazaar: thequintessentialmini mart, abakery, a video shop, a dentistry outfit, a liquor store. At the mini mart, you can pick up afree copy of the latest publishing venture in the mother tongue; all but the editorial piece are reprints from

major dailies and magazines, political action newsletters, publicity releases; andalong with this

cacophony of unoriginal text thrives a sorry continuum of comic effects

in the form of hyperbourgeois advertising space.

In the kingdom ofthe Armenian ghetto, osten-

indignation at the silly ways and means of the New World. To these old warriors, the Old World. orsimply the Country. remains a semi-sacred space in ttreircollective memory,

where Muslim govemments made it their

guarantee a happily isolated, culturally self-important existence for ethnic minorities. business

Then there are the odd gatherings of unemployed young males, their eighrcylinderbehemoths parked along the sidewalks in

ominous rows, listlessly scratching their groins, yawning, debating about drive-bys and insurance scams, casting curious glimpses at the women behind the trees.

rock the boat?" says Bezdikian. And complementing the picture is a drastic shortage of funds-for things like textbooks, audiovisual equipment and computers-which assures obliging complacence to the educational agenda of the odd benefactor. Bezdikian describes the present spiritual gridlock of the Diaspora as a crisis of mean-

ing and expression, a certain intellectual bankruptcy that has come to permeate everything from the quality of our publications to the level of discourse in public places. In view ofthe unique historical and geographical circumstances of the Diaspora, he feels, no claim to a self-actualizing collective identity can be possible without a truly liberal, eclectic educational system. So talk of rethinking the Armenian school and the ghetto

as interchangeable and counterbalancing

In fact, ifthe ghetto is

growing as fast as it can replicate itself, its very

in the Armenian Diaspora starts with the definition of ethnic space. "The ghettomentality has generally taken root in us as aresult

metaphysical where-

of the angst of self-defense," he says. "We

withal has lost much of

lack confidence in ourselves. We instill in the hearts of our school children an exaggerated sense of superiority-we are great, we are this, we are that, and the others are nottring. "But whenever these kids come in close contact with those others, they're left in utter shock, because they're faced with the fact that other people can be at least as great.

a sense

ofa shared

the things that

Year after year, school boards fail to attract the best and the brightest to their teaching staffs; some even go togreatlengths to actually repel new talent. "Who wants to

concepts cannot be overstated. For Bezdikian, the fundamental problem

guage,

antiquated, woefully

booming

cosmopolitanism-all

a dull,

unimaginative cultural covenant, circa 1890.

schlock is still

its impetus. Educational structures, a refined lan-

petrating

tatious, unapologetic affair.

Middle East, Europe and the Americas, Armenian private schools have become little more than clearing houses forpetty ethnicity. In general, he explains, they can rightfully boast of providing generations of collegebound Armenian youths with some frstclass high-school education, but in terms of forging an Armenian context, they seem to be possessed of a witless insistence on per-

have shaped a peculiarly Armenian high culture in the Diaspora-are in decline. A bold few, however, are expressing dissatisfaction with this widening state of decay; among them is Father Bezdikian , one of the most articulate proponents of change in the Diaspora today. A painterof some renown in European circles, Bezdikian has for the last six years helped balance the school's budget with personal earnings from his art exhibits. He has a novel way of thanking the school's benefactors-he doesn't thank them at all, pointing to the fact that he merely happens to be a conduit for spending public funds. "They're not doing me a favor," he says, "but they're enriching the educational lives of their own children. It's all done for the good of the public."

Bezdikian believes that throughout the

AIM, July

1992

Hence this profound psychological contradiction, this confusion, that not only jars the familiarcomforts of identity but also hinders our youth from venturing to give their creative best." In Aleppo, where Bezdikianhas acquired firsthand experience of the realities of cultural isolationism, "90 percentof Armenians

don't know anything, nor care one whit, about the next street." And it is along this very "next street," he stresses, that one can fi nd the masterworks of Islamic architecture, the flurry of Eastern civilization to which we, too, are bound by many a thread, and a new breed ofcollege-educated Arab youths who show more than passing interest in Armenian history and culture. "But in the West," says Bezdikian, "the

exact opposite prevails. We suffer from a terrible sense of inferiority. There, in the

The Vosbikian Band oerformino ten of their all time greatest hTt songs . Volume 4. Enjoy the big sound of the fabulous 10 piece

Vosbikian band. Perfect for parties! Great forthe car! Order extra lor family and friends Also available: Volumes 1, 2 and 3. To order, please make your check or money

order payable to: The Vosbikian Band 9 Tanner St. Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Tel (609) 429-0800 Please send me tapes(s) @ $8.00 each (Shipping & handling included)

Volumes requested:

Voll

Vol

2 -Vol3 LlVol4

ROGER K. DERDERIAN FINANCIAL CONSI,JLTANT

presence of the metros and the operas of the European city, we're in suchawe that wefeel

images of the Diaspora and the Homeland. In fact, from his perspective it is possible to talk

we're nothing in comparison. This, just as our cocky isolation in the East, stems from ourcollective ignorance. Wedon'tknow our place in the history of world culture." Bezdikian regards the Diaspora leadership as the chief perpetrator of this mindset. "I say leadership, but we have never really had such an enlightened class. It is selfdelusion. We merely have some community organizations that somehow drag along." Isn't it safe to assume, however, that the people who elect men of incompetence are in

only about the idea of Armenianness, transcending dialect and geographical division. "Psychologically, the Diaspora has a distinctive characterbecause it is aflowergrown in a distinct environment. If the flower of the

large part responsible? "Naturally," says Bezdikian. "But it is difficult to fathom the logic or the motivation by which people maketheirchoice. Whatwehave today is not aunified diaspora, but anondescript, scattered lot in the form of diasporan Armenians. "Take the Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Dashnaktsutiune], for instance. It is our largest organization and it enjoys wide popular appeal. It can do a lot and has done a lot in the past. It has instilled in these refugee communities a sense of pride.Ithas put them to work. Butthesedays, whentheintellectual level of our youth has shifted from the camps to the postmodemist reaches of the university, these organizations, including the ARF and the Armenian Democratic League [Ramgavar], cannot give much to the new generation. From East to West, ourorganizations have been reduced to vaudeville theater where personal disputes and intemal scores are settled under the guise of world-class

political activity." What expectations can an educated, progressive generation ofyoung people have of our organizations? the contribution of our political parties is to build a community center or a gym, young people don't need these things," says

"If

Bezdikian. "The city provides them with infinitely more modem and comfortable facilities. Our organizations must concentrate on the cultivation of a new ethos." But what about the role of the diasporan intellectual?

"Neither the Diaspora nor the Homeland in Europe," says Bezdikian. "For 70 years we were led to believe that there was a powerful intelligentsia in Armenia, but now we see that intellectuals in the Homeland have the has an intellectual class as it is understood

ONE COMIIERCIALPI.AZA

2STIIFLOON

IHRTFORD,CTffiIO3 203241J 2400 800 842 S450 CT 800 243 3154 USA

For subscription and customer service call:

car t.@@@

BBtr Btr@

B@@r\rNI

least significant voice in society. Thesepeople are mostly literary jugglers, somehow eking

out a living. One day they sing the praises o[ Armenia, the next day the praises of Papa Irnin-whatever the status quo dictates. "And in the Diaspora, you've got these intellectuals who gather up around this or thatpaper, serving it, helping it survive; they

sometimes write admirable articles, but there's no such thing as an honest-to-goodness intellectual movement." On both the cultural and political levels, Bezdikian makes no distinction between the

lnternational subscribers call(81 8)546 2205

AIM, July

1992

Diasporablooms, then it must help the weaker branch, the Homeland. Remove yourselffrom

the context of this totality, and you'll tum into just another ethnic Joe sweating after your daily bread." And what happens to the Diaspora if the Homeland definitively succeeds in building all the requisites ofindependent statehood? "The Diaspora will live its golden age," says Bezdikian. "When the brains of the Diaspora assume leadership positions in differentcountries through the active support of the Armenian state, that's to the advantage of all Armenians. Strong ties with the Homeland will offerthe Diaspora the confidence to start producing its creative best." Here, then, is the question of an umbilical cord. "We were cut off. It was self-delusion to think that we were linked. We didn't understandthe landscape of the Homeland, nordid the Homeland have an inkling about the Diaspora. Everything was based on happenstance, chance meetings, hollow, grandiloquent pronouncements ofmutual respect and

whatnot." Here Bezdikian tums to an evolution of a

different order-that of the promise of

widening diasporan discontent. "When you make the rounds of the communities, there is an unrest," he says. "There is, let us say, a sort of wave that is aching to tum into amovement. All those who have the courage to put their finger on the wound have begun to change the situation. "This is being carried out by the young and old alike. People have started to express themselves with unprecedented openness, even at the risk ofbeing kicked out oforganizations. I believe that all this is much more than the rumblings of reform. It is nothing less than the prologue to a revolution. "Idon'tknow when it will happen.I don't know where it will happen, but it will come soon. The rumblings have yet to converge, but that is a detail. The Diaspora is saturated with the mistakes of decades, with its petty arguments in community councils about this or that power position. It is fed up. Change is

inevitable." But did the Diaspora have to wait for the independence of Armenia to initiate its own liberation? "The independence of Armenia was a catalyst," Bezdikian says. "It precipitated our process. Independence was something

providential. It was an opportunity the likes of which have occurred only during the Cilician period of Armenian history.

"All things considered, the Diaspora must, will, write its tale." f

and

Ghip off the Old Soviet Bloc Armenia' s H i -Te c h P ot ential Viewed by SiliconValley Executives in California BY TALEE]I TARASHIAN ]{AZARIAII ow can the microchip resuscitate a floundering post-communist industry? Is Armenia's scientific potential strong enough to keep its dream of developing a computer industry from shanering? How little do postSoviet democracies know about product development?

These questions are just a few of the many that await Silicon Valley computer businessmen and professionals as they retum from stalled or aborted ventures in Armenia. After all, if anyone should have

tempts are being made, and every attempt should be encouraged." On the otherhand, Sarkissian concedes that a good number of

projects are not well-orchestrated. "Disorganized help does not last, nor do programs

driven by individual desires, egos or monetary motives. There are those who go there

and raise hopes, then come back and do nothing. There needs to be a master plan." Vice president of Hitachi America, Tony Moroyan, agrees. "People who don't have an overall knowledge of how things come together can do more harm than good," he laments.

industry catapulting the country's seem-

ingly neolithic economy into the future. "Brainpower and talent exist in the field of computers," he says, "and ifone could tap that, Armenia could probably surpass Iran, Turkey and many of the former Soviet republics." Armenia has a high population of scientists and engineers, but assuming that demographics alone could bring technologi cal success is naive, says Hagop Nazarian, senior design engineer for San Jose-based Cypress Semiconductor.

While most American-Armenian co-ops have flopped or frzzled, a few have prospered. Among them are those launched by Sarkissian, Der Kiureghian and Moroyan. Sarkissian has begun training students from Armenia who are in graduate school at UC Berkeley. He plans to teach them something he believes is more important than theory-hands-on experience in management. Sarkissian is convinced that Armenia needs a large core of individuals with solid training in running a business, and hopes that the students he works with at SVGL will eventually return to Armenia with concrete skills.

Armen Der Kiureghian

Vahe Sarkissian

Avadls Tevanian

the answers, it should be these same leaders

"Smart people are useless if their intelligence is not hamessed and used productively and, at the same time, allowed the

"Under communism, a whole generation of Armenians has learned to do business a certain way," he says. Managers were used to taking orders from Moscow instead of making independent decisions,

of the high-technology industry, where Apples are computers, bytes are strings of zeroes and ones, and bugs require more than a swat. A techno-kingdom that stretches roughly from San Jose to San Francisco in northem California, Silicon Valley is the emblematic heart of America's most volatile, excit-

ing industry today. And it is the home of many Armenian engineers, developers, executives and businessmen. Armen Der Kiureghian, professorof civil

engineering at University of California Berkeley, envisions Armenia's computer

freedom to create," says Nazarian, who would like to see future ventures provide the proper blend of innovation and management.

Vahe Sarkissian is president and chief operating officer of Silicon Valley Group (SVG), a major manufacturer of silicon wafer equipment, and president of its subsidiary, Silicon Valley Group Lithography Systems (SVGL)-both based in San Jose. He sees several points of weakness in past business ventures in Armenia. "I think at-

AIM, July 1992

not to mention without the view to pulling a profit. "The thing Armenia needs mostright now is management. They don't needmore theory. We don't need to teach them technology. They know the book stuff." Der Kiureghian, a founding member of

the American University of Armenia

(AUA), echoes many of Sarkissianls sentiments. An idea informally presented over a breakfast of /riasft, the AUA is now poised

to become corporate Armenia's guiding light. Der Kiureghian hopes American companies involved in software development

will utilize Armenia's affordable human resources. The AUA would act as a conduit between the scientists and engineers of Ar-

menia and foreign firms, he says. "Too many fine technological minds in Armenia are going to waste, many of them unemployed or doing menial labor." One of the most important features of the AUA's existence is its association with the University of Califomia, which is viewed favorably in foreign markets, he notes. Hitachi businessman Moroyan also believes that Armenia's mind power is a marketable product in the world's business community, as he himself tries to lure U.S. and Japanese companies to consider opportunities in Armenia. Through his own venture, the San Carlosbased Monasa Industries, he is successfully bringing together executives of Armenian

companies with their American counterparts, to form alliances and create projects in Armenia.The company's main focus, he says, is to build a value-added infrastructure

through industrialization of intellectual resources. He stresses that it is imporlant to

Antidote to Inertia MoroyanHas Plans Armenia' s Ecorwmy Tony

t o J ump - S t art

he heat is on for the Board of

Santa Clara's Amray, Inc., a

Middle East.

"With its university and communications access to the West, Armenia could develop into a very important source of engineering service to the [former] Soviet Union," he says. Armenia should not necessarily focus on serving the American market, he believes. "Lying behind Armenia is an area of untapped countries."

ment opporBmities in Armenia in specialized flrelds and the lure of high short+errn com-

pensation overseas, the depletion of scientific human resources-an intellectual base that has taken decades to build, "is a very

sensitive and crucial crosspoint," says Moroyan, whodoes not it being replenished.

see

thepossibility of

One of his aims is to reverse the tide. Since its creation more than a year ago, Monasa has brought together executives of Armenian elecfronics and computer compa-

g a

nies with executives of like companies in the United States, forming and discussing joint ventures, alliances and potential pdects in

manufacturing and software development. Although he finds himself fielding legitimate questions ofguarantees, currency convertibility and political stability when presenting prospective American and Japanese investors to Armenia, he is quick to point out the potential gains in tapping into a new market. The opportunities that existnow will not exist in l0 years, he believes. "The former Soviet Union is a vacuum. There are no brand names. Whoever gets there first and puts up a sign gets the brand-name recogni-

tion." Additionally, Moroyan stresses that costs are minimal in comparison to the expensive United States or Japan.

Stick to neighbors

Israel. With the disappearance of employ-

does best.

builder of scanning electron microscopes, contends that Armenia should focus on markets that are in its geographic vicinity-the CIS, the Baltic republics and the

enon not uncommon to new states, including

D-

onic computer industry, as well as its neighboring CIS republics. He makes this information available to Armenia and, for a fee, to other entrepreneurs. Although educated in the high and dry areas of computer science and electrical engineering, investments and opening new markets are what Moroyan

manager

One of ttremain obstacles in this gogress

is the Brain Drain Syndrome-a phenom-

for him about

Vahe Manugian, product development

points out.

Enter Monasa Industries, Inc., the San

Hitachi's competition. Similarly, Monasa hoards and painstakingly analyzes vital market information on Armenia's embry-

hyperbole.

But it will take time. "Califomia's Silicon Valley did not develop ovemight," he

need perseverance to continue."

have

The prospect of Armenia dealing with superpowers of technology excites most Armenians, but some look at all this talk as

technology.

ergy and innovation, a hard-core executive who refuses to look at Armenia as a charity case. "Volunteer work can go on for a few months," he notes, "but after some time, you

work with existing factories and plants rather

collected

Directors of Hitachi America to be among the first to take the plunge in a new martet Armenia. Applying the heat is Tony Moroyan, the electronics giant's vice president ofstrategic planning. How could 15is zl4-year-old, Beirut-bom Califomia transplant, working for a Japanese multibillion-dollar corporation, benefit his ancestral homeland? Once Moroyan starts talking, it is easy to see how this American with the Armenian accent made a quick ascent in the Hitachi hierarchy--{e is a powerhouse of en-

than wiping out everything and rebuilding from scratch. Moroyan thrives on data. At Hitachi, he

hoards data which employees

completely in the dark, with no models to follow and no insight as to how things were being done intemationally. "Nor did they have any standards of quality," Moroyan says, adding thatArmenia"will getthere if it did is urnost to excel in quality." Can the republic eventually play in the ring of such fat cats as Japan and the United States? "Armenia definitely has a chance to be. . a tiger," affirms Moroyan, who sees it as anotherTaiwan or Korea in the area of high

Tony Moroyan Carlos-based company that provides consulting services to intemational firms in high technology and trade. Founded by Moroyan and other Silicon Valley executives with diverse technical and business backgrounds, Monasa

has already spent $100,000 in what it calls "creating financial incentives." Its mission is to industrialize Armenia by providing vital information on the new republic to Westem entrepreneurs.

Moroyan's tremendous data bank will save interested entities the legwork needed to start businesses, thereby hastening his vision of a self-supporting, industrial Armenia. Monasa wants to jump-start Armenia's existing industry which, upon its independence, was left

AIM, July 192

Monasa's analyses reveal Armenia's potentially high rank on the intemational charts of high technology. It has gathered and chumed information on Armenia's economy and human and capital resources, puning it all into an intemational perspective. It has done the same with its neighboring republics. Can Armenia survive without the Diaspora? Possibly. Can itthrive? Moroyan thinks not. "I can't see Armenia without the Diaspora, yet diasporan Armenians have been a little too generous in the Unsolicited Opinions and False Promises Departrnent. We have to be extremely careful when we

'Help Armenia.' "We have to get offour high horses and remember ftat Armenia is not a Third World country." use the phrase

-Tal*n

llaraghlan Nazaria n

Hitachi's Moroyan concurs that Russia and the Middle East can be important to Armenia. He says those markets could be the struggling country's niche until it achieves the degree of quality it needs to compete on

an intemational level. Moroyan speculates that could be within five short years.

Gomputer manufacturing Roubik Gregorian, vice president ofdesign and development at Sierra Semiconductor in San Jose, agrees that there is a market for Armenia in its backyard, but foresees a demand for products beyond software-telephones, modems, and the manufacturing of personal computers. Using microchips purchased from the West, Armenia could actually assemble personal computers for export, he contends. "Armeniawould be in a goodpositionto

Today you rtevl ail-lile

bnk /ou un V"f

c-a

cated labor-intensive operations which took years to develop."

n ltvg u:i{h

in Newark, Portfolio

Technologies, would like to see Armenia's technology developed as "top of state-ofthe-art," but not by those jumping on the joint-venture bandwagon out of sympathy.

Duty has nothing to do with it, he

says.

Khoshafian believes that creating mutual business plans between the United States and Armenia would be beneficial to both. At the end of the 20th Century, as the computer revolution replaces heavy industry as the developed world' s economic base, a tiny, rebom republic like Armenia, with

{avin6r th.-f nekt Vou rmarfe-r. And more qardert 1A.n ihe r{anotdt4 ones. â&#x201A;Ź,,2ry*ine..

meager natural resources and an outmoded

industrial infrastructure but with a wealth of scientific brainpower, has little option in mapping out its future. Hi-tech seems to be the only choice rather than being an altemative. But building a hi-tech industry requires capital, outside participation and, perhaps most importantly, a special vision. "I get alittle tumed off when Armenians talk about the past," says Avadis Tevanian, Jr. , director of software at NeXT Computer, Inc., the Redwood City computer company founded by Steve Jobs of Apple fame. "I'd much rather be concerned with the future. On balance, it's important to be aware of the past, but to learn from it-not dwell

Bank of America GLENDALE MAIN OFFICE 345 No. Brand Blvd. Glendale, Ca 91203 (818) s02-8706 @

and

Singapore-countries that have sophisti-

software company

l/erro-/e/fe"'ATttb nhere- |ou rtee4 ih-t.

L/o

would be competing with Korea

At present, the most difficult hurdle for Armenia is funding. "What they are most in need of right now is capital," says Zaven Tashjian, president of the Milpitas-based Circuit Spectrum, a designer of printed circuit boards. The difficulty is in making the initial jump. Setrag Khoshafian, vice president of development and co-founder of a growing

A ltneloutn bmnch.

Loq n <

set up fabs (fabrication plants), but they

l99l BankAmnca Corporation

FDIC

AIM, July

1992

upon

it."

Talen Marashian Nazarlan is a lrelance writer based in San Jose, Calitomia

If you want to learrr W6stern Armenian (or just bnrsh up) Audio-Forum, now in its 20th year, offers Western Armenian

,rfr#: an

"oi,

among its selection of selfinstructional language courses. This audio-cassette program teaches the language spoken by approximately 2 million people in Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Egypt. You set youl'own learning pace

with this unique programmatic method. Your cassette player

becomes a "tireless tutor" repeating the words and phrases you want to hear until you understand them.

Westerrr Armenian: 8 cassettes (7 hr.) and 31g-p. textbook, $ttS. (CT residents please add sales tax.) phong order by call toll-free r-Boo-248-1284. To order by mail, send this ad .To

Agassi

and the Ecstasy Kissing the threadbare grass court at Wirnbledon was Andre Agassi, 22, after winning the men's single tennis toumament July 5. Agassi won the world's most prestigious tennis title despite an impressive display by Croatian opponent Goran Ivanisevic, who served up 37 aces throughout the game. The victory was especially sweet for Agassi, who shunned the English competition three

It was his first "Grand Slarn" (Wimbledon, U.S., Australian and French Open) title, having reached the finals four times and lost. Themisty-eyed winnercalled the victory his "ggeatest achievernent." He is also the frst American to win Wimbledon times.

since John McEnroe

1984, becoming the

with your name and address, and a check or money order in u.s. funds. or charge t9 any major credit card by enclosing card number, expiration date, and yoir signature.

_ Audio-Fo^rum's 36-p. whole world cotalog has 215 courses in T6 languages. Request a free copy.

auElo.FoRum'

ffi

CALL T0LL-FREE Room F720, 96 Broad

St.,

: 1 -8OO-2

43-L234

Guilfbrd. CT 06482

Andre Agassi kisses the trophy after defeating Goran lvanisevic to win the men's singles final at Wimbledon.

\6Ur

frst 12th-seeded player in the tournament's history ever to win the title. The offbeat Agassi, who sports shaggy bleached hair, beard stubble and earring, toned down his usually colorf'ul apparel for Wimbledon, which upholds a rule of primarily all-white tennis wear for participants. Agassi's Armenian father, Mike, boxed for lrem in the 1948 and 1952 Olymprcs. Determined to tum one of his four children

Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

into a tennis charnpion. he moved to Las

Rafi Balabanian D.D.S.

for playing tennis tlrroughout the year, and taught them how to play tennis. Andre's training began in infancy, when his father

Saturday & Evenings Available Member of ADA, CDA, AGD

tied a tennis ball overhis crib to develop eye coordination. By the age of two, the boy was able to serve in a lull courl. His professional career took off in 1988, when he had skyrocketed from the rank of 9l the previous

Smile

Vegas because of the suitablity of its clirnatc-

in the San Francisco Bay Area

(4081 985.RAF! ot 7324 1961 Pruneridge Avenue Suite A Santa Clara, California

We go the extra mile for your smile! AIM. July

year to number three, winning six major tournaments and reaching the semifinals of both the French and Unrted States Opens. The flamboyant Agassi is extlernely popular with fans and players alike, and has endorsed many products, including Rayban sun-

glasses. 1992

Quilted Gathedral

with the use of that building, which was to have people commmunicate with God." She was particularly struck with ttrc basilica's multi-windowed dome where sun-

so in tune

The remains of the 6-7th Century BasilicaatOdzun were the inspirationforaquilt crafted by fiber and liturgical artist

Deborah Melton Anderson of Co-

lumbus, Ohio. Herinterest in Armenian

culture was sparked by her and her

forget about the earthly and to focus on the spiritual. She decided to portray the basilica from the same angle in a quilt and to decorate it wittr the wonderful colors she had seen in oriental rugs. An unusual subject for a quilt, she is following the trend in quilfrnaking of putting down in visual form images that provoke personal emotional responses. Anderson believes this trend is producing some of the most exciting and innovative art today. It was while selecting the fabrics for

husband's friendship withthe lateRich-

ard Markarian, an oriental rug dealer and connoisseur.

Lrafing through abook on Armenia

her quilt when the 1988 earthquake jolted Armenia. In the media coverage

at her local library, Anderson saw a black-and-white photograph of the

ofthe disaster, Anderson noticed red camations everywhere which she then worked into ttre quilt inthe positions of the wounds of Christ. "They're floating mysteriously, within the interior of this church as though Christ was still there," she says. Votive candles also add to the quilt's sense of presence, "giving the Basilica new life." Completed in 1989 and dedicated to the victims of the earthquake, the 39 in. x 42 in. quilt has won prizes and has been exhibited in

several cities throughout the Unitd States. The quilt

"Baslllca Armen-Odzun" Byzantinebasilica."Iwassoattractedbythe powerof the architecture," she says. "It

was t

tight gushes through, the human response Ueing to look at the light<ausing one to

will

displayed at the

Rockville, Maryland, Art Center (outside Washington, D.C.) July 16 through

I I August 8.

Ptrotognpty&Video PHOIOGRAPHY GRAPHIC DESIGN

FOR PORTFOLIO OR

CATALOGS VIDEO PRODUCTION

VIDEO DEMO TAPE CALL 818 .5844064

39 EAST WALNUT 34

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91I03.3832 AIM, July

1992

FAX 818 .584 4099

To Lufthans?, therc's no such

thing

as aforcign country.

lf you're looking for an airline that knows the world, you could saywe have it covered. Because .l90 Lufthansa flies to cities in 83 countries on 6 continenls around the world. And we have offices in over 390 cities. Which means almost anywhere you go, you'llfind a lrained Lufthansa staff to help you with travel arrangements and more. Our people can find you a place for a business meeting in Beijing, a translator in Taipei, or even tell you where to spend your lire in Livorno. At Lufthansa, making foreign travel less foreign to you is another way we show our passion for service. A passion that ensures you the best f lying experience in the world.

A passion for perfection.'"

G Lufthansa Lufthansa is a participant in lhe mileage programs of United, Delta, USAir and Conlinental. See your Travel Agenl for details.

U"V 22,29,24,lggzthe first general meeting of the "Armenian Business Forum" was held in Yerevan, in accordance with the decision of the temporary advisory counsel's meeting held on February 1st and Znd 1992 in Paris. During the first meeting of the Forum in Yerevan, the chairperson Mr. Vahe Jazmadarian presented a report on the activities from May 1991 to May 1992 and Mr. Souren Sarkissian gave a financial statement as well as a report on the membership status and the future budget.

The general assembly discussed, examined and approved the by laws of the "Armenian Business Forum" and took the following decision: A- To confirm the by-laws of the "Armenian Business Forum" and inform the members within a month. B- The generalassembly elected a seventeen member committee of the "Armenian Business Forum" as follows: Aharonian Levon - /ran Alexandrian Massis - France Krikorian Rouben - France Titizian Garbis - USA Geghigian Hagop - Canada Hairabedian Vahram - Armenia Naghtalian Herminee - Armenia Boghossian Alberl - France Jazmadarian Vahe - France

Sarian Mikael Edward - Argentina Sarkis Hratch - USA Sarkessian Ashod - Armenia Sarkissian Souren - Saudia Arabia Setragian Berdj - USA Seferian Hovsep - /ndra Stepanian Razmig - Austria Der Bedrosian Telman - Armenia

C- On May 23, 1992 the members elected the executive counsel as follows:

Jazmadarian Vahe -President Aharonian Levon -Vice President Naghtalian Herminee -Vice President Setrakian Berdi -Vice President Sarkissian Souren -Treasurer Krikorian Rouben -Secretary D- The general assembly decided to, officially register the "Armenian Business Forum" in Yerevan, similar to the one in Paris, and at the same time open other offices in the Diaspora. E- lt was decided to keep the membership fee to US $100 for those outside Armenia and for those residing in Armenia to pay 10,000 Roubles for individuals and 50,000 Roubles for establishments; with the subscription fees an account will be opened in a bank in Yerevan; a report about the account will be given in the near future. F- The committee members decided to hold the next general assembly during the last week of May 1993.

The President of Armenia Mr. Levon Der-Bedrosian, the President of the Armenian Republic's Parliament Papken Azarkizian and the Prime Minister Gagig Haroutunian participated in the meeting, praised and encouraged the endeavours of those present. On May 24, 1992 His Holiness Vazken l, Catholicos of all Armenians gave an audience to the participants of the assembly, and that very evening President Der-Bedrosian met with the members of the forum. The meeting came to an end by an official dinner hosted by the Prime Minister Mr. Gagig Haroutunian. We would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Armenian Businessmen to take part in this joint-venture with Armenia, to invest and to help Armenia flourish economically and introduce western technology. For further information you may contact the main office at the following address:

ARMENIAN BUSINESS FORUM c/olNMA France 124 Rue de Verdun 92816 Pateaux FRANCE

Telephone 45-06-23-23 Facsimile 45-06-09-1 0

To absorb Sahakian's art is to become conscious of an otherworldly quality of expression. In works that appear so open to the simplest of interpretations lie layers of esoteric meaning. His gouache paintings, with their masterful renderings of celestial tranquility, convey the regenerative principle of open spaces. Within the vast silence of infinity, illusions and apparitions serve as altematives to the turmoil of everyday life, as possibilities of escape from what is normally accepted as visual reality. As Sahakian pays homage to wind-swept beaches, breathtaking skyscapes and open doors leading to oblivion, he crossblends these visions with myths and symbols that are at once universal and intensely

conclusion." As far as pure technique was concerned, Dali insisted on mastery of the fundamentals. "When you studied withhim," Sahakian explains, "you first had to build a strong classical foundation, you had to be a draftsman and be able to paint like an Old Master. Only then couldyou choose yourown style." Asked if he was ever accused of sharing the commercial opportunism of the notorious artist, Sahakian is quick to point out some fundamental differences that he says set his and Dali's sensibilities apart. "Dali was an electric current. He was also a selfish, manipulative character who loved ostentation and media publicity. You had to

Despite a flurry of exhibition schedules that drives him to paint at least two works a

week. the 56-year-old artist manages to maintain an indulgent residence in Lisbon, Portugal, where he collects art and provides his services as an international artconsultant. His work also includes jewelry (many of the jewelry wom by Dali and his wife Galawere his designs), sculpture, stage design and ballet costumes. Lately, Sahakian has also been active in

trying to convince the Portuguese govemment to sponsor the establishment of an art center in Lisbon. "There are so many creative people out there who don't know how to pursue their dreams, haven't gotten much

personal. The effect is that of weaving togetherof diametric opposites: the past and the present,

the wisdom of tradition and the reasoning of the futuristic, earthly emotion and spirituality, the real and the surreal.

Asartcritic Ana Maria Botelho has noted, Sahakian "never lets go

of his roots, his impressions of the cradleand the many different songs which rocked him to sleep... In all

his paintings, there is a sort of immense nostalgia for all that has been. and a retum to the primeval truth of purer plastics." A native of Tehran. Sahakian

started his dance, music and art education at the age of seven. He continued his ballet and art studies in the Soviet Union and, on his retum. became a cultural advisor at the Iranian Ministry of Culture. In 1956. he moved to California, where he fully devoted himself to a life of anistic experimentation. He speaks of these early years

with

recalling how a woelully conservative Armenian Clockwise from top: cultural milieu had shunned his "The Crucifixion," "Madonna ol The work. But it was also during this Sea" and "The Vision of Christopher period that a singularevent helped Columbus" accept him as he was. He, in tum, had to trust give new impetus and meaning to his career: you implicitlytoletyou getnearhis work. As Sahakiiur's cousin and hairdresser to Iran's I helped him assemble gallery exhibits in Queen Farah, Sebouh Badalian, introduced New York, he'd announce, 'You're the most him to aclient who tancied having enormous Dalinian person I know. Therefore you should rollers in his hair... This was none other than and do know what I want without having to Salvador Dali, whose association with ask me. "' And though having been given the Sahakian would, over the next I 9 years, span master's blessing, Sahakian underscores furthe bounds of friendship, tutorship and colther differences of stylistic and philosophical laboration. outlook. "Whereas my works are mystical Sahakian credits Dali with a discipline so and lyrical, Dali's are aggressive and shockrigorous that he, as a student, could not help ing. If critics compare us, they must have but emulate. "Dali's influence was profbund. both in never known him. I paint directly from feeling and what comes to me naturally, whereas terms of method and perception," he says. "He always preferred speed; he could not he kept on creating in a purely commercial manner that goes against my natural grain. stand languor. He would advise that once a given subject was crystallized in the mind's And yet I understood what he was doing and accepted his genius. I could never be Dali, eye. one must finish painting it in no more but I never wanted to be Dali either." than three days or else it could never reach a a rather sour note,

3tt

AIM, July

1992

parental encouragement or lack the inner strength to face competition," he says. "The centerthat I'm proposing will be aforum for emerging artists, with facilities available for guidance counseling, lectures, courses, exhibits and concerts. It will also become a showcase for living Portuguese artists and various schools of art history, including exhibit works by Dali and myself." If the project comes to fruition, Sahakian intends to bequeath all his collected works to the center. "l'd love to refurbish a palace and make this institution very social and glamorous, yet

unintimidating.

the

want to emphasize that art belongs to

world."

Lucine Kasbarian is a free-lance writer living in New York

((

speaK

G .t

Banrk

American lnternational Bank is now recognized as the Bank

with customized services for all your business and personal banking needs.

of investment opportunities to fill short-term as well as long-term

financial needs.

At American lnternational Bank we have streamlined our

Business Banking requ irements may requirefinancingfor groMh.

American lnternational Bank supports an active position in making loansforexpansion, modernization andfor increasing production and sales. Our bankers will show you, whether you are a business owner or a manager, how to most effectively use your I iqu id assets with our cash management program. Personal Banking may include sound adviceastothe bestforms

deposit, credit, and investment products for simplicity and attractiveness. So, whether it is a business or personal transaction, at home or abroad, however simple or complex, American lnternational Bank's team of expert bankers, fluent in over 30 languages, will provide you with timely responses to your banking needs with a

personal attention to detail.

fames Dorian

Presidentand CEO

Los Angeles

Main Office

On:Y{tlltlrilding,

Los Angeles, Ca

90017

{310}6838600 C lendale Regional Office (S1 8) 545 8800 Alhambra Regional Office (818) 57O 4'l OO Cerritos/Ar&sia ffegional dffice..iSt Ol 8O9 -City of lndustry/Hacienda Heights Reg|onal 0ffice (818) 854 8600 Carson RegionalOffice (31O)'523:5,5:5.1 :' 791 2800' ' ' a) 7742666Torrance Regional Office

Tarzana Regiond

b#ice 6r

F10)

7qX)

Garpet Gonundrum Singlehandedly, Gantzhom attempts to

By GRAIG S. WALLEN

do what many non-Armenians have not done-to give Armenian culture deserved

TH E C H RI STI AN O RI ENTAL C ARP ET By Vokmar Gantzhorn I 99 l, B enedikt Tasc he n Verlag, C ologne 532pp,708 color and BlW illustrations

Hardbound,

$5 3.50 ;

DM50

German and French editions also available sa

rug collector and aficionado,

eagerly anticipated the English

version of Der Christlich

Orientalische Teppiche, a huge and heavy coffee-table-sized book. The color photographs are numerous and the printing quality frst-rate. More importantly, the theory presented here is refreshingly controversial: Gantzhom's challenge to the mountain of published material which unquestionably attributes the historical origins of the oriental rug to Central Asia. T he C hristian O ri e ntal C arpet was originally presented by Vokmar Gantzhom as a doctoral thesis at the University of Tubingen, Germany and subsequently published in book form. A teacher, artist and art historian, he has been researching design development in the arts for many years. Gantzhorn's thesis is a valiant effort to establish Armenian culture and civilization as the wellspring of oriental rug weaving. Proposing this intriguing idea and supporting it mainly with theoriesofdesign development is a difficult task, especially when you realize that rug scholars hesitate to attribute any rug without an Armenian inscription to an Armenian weaver. While literally hundreds of Armenian-inscribed rugs are known, rarely do they predate the l9th Century. One of the few is the famous Goharcarpet, which rug scholars believe is the earliest rug fully

attributed to Armenia. Its structure, color palette and design, together with a lengthy,

authentic (i.e. genuine, untampered with, and of the period) Armenian inscription all pinpoint a late 17th-Century Caucasian Armenian origin. For many, the trail ends there. By going further in the past, Gantzhorn distances himself from mainstream rug research. Throughout the 20th Century, many respectedrug scholars (K. Erdmann, A. Pope, U. Schurmann, W. Denny, etc.) have ascribed the entire early development of oriental rugs and their design to the Turkic cultures of Central Asia, and later to the Islamic

world. While there has been a definite need to counterbalance this train of thought with moreresearch on pre-Islamic influences, such as the research work by Dr. James Mellaart, Udo Hirsch, and Belkis Balpinar (The Goddess of Anatolia), Gantzhom may have overreacted.

recognition for its age-long contributions to rug weaving without relying on explicit inscriptions as evidence. He is highly sensitive to Armenia's frequent position as a vassal state and the cultural implications of that position. As aresult, he feels that Armenians

often

incorporated

Christian symbolism,

overtly or discreetly, intorugstheyproduced. They have been instrumental, he believes, in the cross-pollination of

cross-fertilization of ideas and cultures oc-

cuned frequently in

designs among rug-

Armenia.

Does Gantzhom prove his thesis conclusively? In my opinion, not quite. He has attempted to put too largeatheory intoavery small cu5so inevita-

weaving peoples.

He begins with

synopsis of Armenia's attributes: geography, religion, culture, etc. In the process, he shows

that a vibrant cultural

environment existed there with close commercial ties to other

bly some spurious ideas

have spilled over the rim. As a result, some

nearby civilizations. Gantzhom provides examples of various art forms as evidence of Armenian culture, but mainly to show the linkage between them and the art of weaving. He cites the wellknown references to Armenian rugs by Marco

Polo, and draws on Armenian miniature paintings dating to the 8th Century which contain designs commonly seen in oriental rugs. He also in chtdes khatc hkars (Armenian stone crosses) and architectural references for design comparison.

From this respectable

This is reasonable. Yet, while images of rugs or rug designs appear frequently in Armenian art, we can't automatically assume Armenians produced those rugs. Designs, like people, tend to migrate. We know Armenia was a significant Eading centerandcrossroad in the ancient world. Goods from east and west passed through her caravan routes for centuries. Highquality wares, including textiles of many sorts, were produced in Armenia for exports and undoubtedly some appear in Armenian art. We also know other fine goods were imported for use by the merchant class and the nobility, and without doubt someofthesewerealso illustrated in Armenian art. As a result, the

beginning,

Gantzhom goes in a number of different and somewhat outlandish directions, undermining the potential strength of his thesis. For example, he insists that a rug with stylized Arabic inscriptions was made by Armenian converts to Islam simply because the irregular center medallion is cross-like. He tells us the appearance of very basic design elements, 'S' and 'E' shapes, crude animal figures. cross-like formations. stars. etc.. in any rug is evidence of Armenian derivation. He believes they derive from the unique Armenian alphabet and religious omamentation. Yet, many similar motifs are used by diverse cultures across the globe-the Chinese, the Navajo and the Amish. Should we

of his conclusions will be contested hotly by rug scholars. And although I hrmly believe that Armenians, as indigenous inhabitants of Asia Minor. have had a major role in developing and conveying rug designs and traditions through the centuries, I can't agree that they deserve credit for influencing every rug produced anywhere in the world. For me, the truly

difficult question remains: Were the designs and techniques of making rugs imported into Armenia or exported from there? Since so much material has been lost in the shuffle of history, this issue may forever be debated. In fact, a definitive origin for rugs may not exist. This book isdefinitely forthe rugenthusiast or art lover who wants to expand his consciousness of rug history with new concepts. It is possibly the most exhaustive discussion of this subject since 1984's Weavers, Merchants and Kings. It is a major step which may open new avenues of research, because it provides a fresh look at an idea advanced by Armenians in the past, but discounted by most rug scholars. If Turkey ever allows archeological teams to visit and excavate the ruined Armenian cities of Ani, Van or Dikranagerd, a crucial

then credit Armenia for influencing all of

missing link in rug-weaving history might

these cultures or are these geometric shapes universal? Gantzhom sees the useofrug-like motifs in early Armenian art as a signpost.

eventually be uncovered.

Armenians used rug motifs in sculpture, architecture and painting, why not in rugs?

AIM, July 1992

Craig Wallen, a graduate in international relations and economics, is currently an administrator at Thomas Jellerson University/Hospital in Ph i ladel ph ia

Faking Danger O

lympic

Is Ready

P entathloni st

M ichael Gosti gian

for War a

messenger for Napoleon's

army in the thick of war and you must deliver an urgent message across battlelines. You are forced to ride a strange horse, and if by chance it goes lame, you must be prepared to run, swim and fight your way through enemy ranks, armed with a pistol or a sword. If you can do all this, chances are the message

will

get through.

In today's world, chances are you'd also a medal in the sport of modem pentath-

win

lon. American athlete Michael Gostigian hopes to do this at the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. And he has an exceptional chance, entering this month's games with fresh victories in both the U.S. Nation-

World Cup in Frankfurt. "I have a great shot at winning and definitely at medaling... Everyone in the world now is very aware that I am a contender this als and the

summer," says Gostigian, whose origins are

half-Armenian and half-Polish.

In a sport dominated by

Europeans,

Gostigian presents an unusual opportunity for the United States, which has never captured pentathlon gold. "I wanted to be an Olympian in the worst way," recalls Gostigian who, as a nine-year-old, was entranced by swimmer Mark Spitz' capture of seven gold medals in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Soon after, he was swimming in a structured program with his brother James (now a professional triathlonist;, practicing every day after school at Foxcatcher Athletic Club in his native Pennsylvania, organized and funded by John du Pont. After seven years of demanding and

monotonous training, Gostigian plateaued, unable to keep up with other swimmers. Then one day, du Pont, a former pentathlete, pulled him out of the pool, which had a shooting range next to it. "Before I knew it, I started shooting

bullets.

where the Igor Novikov Training Center for Pentathlon-second only to the training center in Moscow-is located. World Cup

Yerevan-known

By KATHERINE CHILJAN ou are

histories and traditions in the sport, such as Russia and Hungary, as well as to Armenia,

was dripping wet there and I

thought, this is terrifrc." He didn't even hit the target, but the sport's diversity (five events) resparked his enthusiasm to compete. He was starting at ground zero, but by 1980 he was a pentathlon competitor. Gostigian trains privately. "I'm probably the only guy in the world whodoes thatin my sport," he said. "It's not cheap, I don't have the support from my federation of the Olympic Committee as I would if I lived [at the Olympic training centerl in Texas, where everything is paid for. Down there I'd get

quantity coaching, whatlhave here is quality coaching. Each coach I have is an expert in his own respective discipline." Training on one's own has drawbackssuch as loss of the camaraderie of a team environment, which helps muster up motivation-but what Gostigian gains is the training and experience of Olympic swimming

coach Dick Shoulberg, the number-one woman triathlete Joy Hanson for running, as well as the talent and experience of individual fencing, riding and ihooting masters. He also supervises-and prepares-his own meals, which include bulgur pilaf three times a week ("great for training"). "I'd rather be home. I have my family here and the Armenian community here which has really been a great source of support financially," says Gostigian, an alumnus of Notre Dame Uni-

versity.

Gostigian's search for the

bestpossible

pentathlon training often sent him

overseas to

countries with long

as one of the hardest pentathlon competitions in the world-was cancelled in 1988 after the conflict in Karabakh erupted. Gostigian was overwhelmed by his reception there in 1987. Waiting at the bus stop, fans clamored for his autographs and showered him with gifts and food. "I had to spread them away so I could get to the

swimming

pool"-

hardly the attention a

pentathlonist in America would get, where the sport is more recreation-oriented and receives little media attention. Realistically, the pentathlon is a tough .sport to cover because ofits lack ofcontinuity. The competition is spread over a fourday period and lhe narure of the events themselves can be distracting: shooting can look

boring on television, it is hard to identify masked athletes while fencing, and the swimming competition is eclipsed by the separate and much larger Olympic swimming categories. The riding event, which concludes the competition, is the most exciting and the most unpredictable. Horses are provided by the competition and riders select their mounts by lot. Two major international titles were frustrated for Gostigian after drawing a bad horse. ln one of them, he was very close to first place until his horse made blundering mistakes, whereby his total point score plunged. "The guys who got the medals in that

competition were not good riders, but they managed to draw well. It's not always a case ofbeing lucky, but it can be a factor." Choosing a competent horse is just about all the luck Gostigian needs. Atage29, he is in his prime for thepentathlon,

sport where

marurity and experience can make the difference. Asaveteranofthe 1988 Olympics, (where he

finished59th),healso is prepared for the pressures that go along with it.

"Since

I'm

golfer, I look at my chances to win as a putt, a5-footputt. It',s got a little break in it,

left to right, and if you could play the break correctly, you can make it. When

youarea3or4

handicapper like I am, it's a very like-

ableputt." I

Ycrsuan to lluw Yorlr ea*r,

$ 8$$o**,

.rru

$ 4$$o**'

*r, $ 0{0*"..,*, .ruu

$ 04$*"",0** ROUTING

Itlew Yofl( to

ht'tuan

Yet'suan Io

lffi

flngolg$

$ $00o""*.,

lus lngnls$ Io lbl'oufllt

$ $3$o""*",

$ 740o,"*", .t,o $ 52$o""*",

nor.

.*o $ 725o".*o

.ouo

$1040*""*,n

*,, $18$0*",*,

$ 700*"".0*,.

.r*

.r,u $

oor.

"rru

EVN-SOF-JFK

$1080^"",o*,

^ur.

$ 72$o**",

* $l4l $*",'u*n 111$*,.*"

ROUTING

JFK-SOF-EVN

EVN-SOF-JFK-LAX

rAx-JFK-SOF-EVN

FOR MONTREAL/OTTATTA REFER TO NEW YORK FAR.ES.

For lurther inlormation

and/ol reseruations contact Levon Trave! at 213.871.8711 or

1.800.445.3866 Air SerYices at 310.854.8570 or

1.800.s27.80s7

(h !7

LEVON

EXPRESS

60kg baggage allowance per person.

. Maximum stay 60 days. . Business Glass auailable. . Travel available lrom Europe & other US cities. o tnlant lares available.

\tant to imprcve your drivind

Try E:xon Precision Gasolines. Nothing beats the feeling of a smooth, powerful drive. On the golf course or in your car. So on yourway home today, try a tankful ofExxon gasoline. Its advanced formula is unsurpassed at keeping entire

fuel systems running cleanand smooth. Today's precision engines need a gasoline that is engineered for performance every