Has the Message of the Church Changed - June 1998 by Armenian International Magazine

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DEPARTMENTS

4 Editor's Note 5 Letters to the Editor 8 Notebook 9 Bytes on File 56 Faces 58 Cyberpages 59 Other People's Mail 50 Underexposed 62 Essay COVER STORY

'100 Years of the Armenian Church

in North America

As the church celebrates its centennial, AIM looks back at where the church has been and forward to what the future holds,

RELIGION He's not the stereotypical priest, so please don,t kiss his hand; just hear what he has to say about the

church, spirituality and the priesthood.

Turning a Monastery into a Hotel

ln Northern (Turkish-occupied) Cyprus, the Armenian Monastery Makaravank has a questionable future.

NATION

President Kocharian's New Government

The new Prime Minister and new cabinet face a daunting set of tasks.

Where's the Money?

The US Congress voted (and has not spent) $'12.5 million in direct aid to Karabakh.

40 Life as \rvar, War as Art Children draw images of life in Karabakh.

ECONOMY

42 Leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and the Yerkrapahs talk about their platforms for the new government.

Dressed to Kill

His.name is.Jacq.ues Kevorkian, and his claim to fame are his hip designs and clothing store in Hollywood. 5 PO RTS

44 Armenia(n) at the World Cup Games Alain Boghossian will play for La Belle France.

ARTS

45 Michael Goorjian from FOX's party Of Five

He's intense, dedicated, and talented. He's won an Emmy Award and stars on a very popular television drama.

50 Adiss, the First Ara Oshagan's words and pictures about the life of pop legend Adiss Harmandyan, whose star is burning brighter than ever'before.

Meet Karen Kondazian, a screen and stage actress, hailed producer, respected columnist and screenwriter.

AIM 0ssN 1050'3471), rune 1998, vor.9, No. 5 is pubrished monthry, 145 per yeai by The Foudh Milennium society, 207 southBrandEoulevard,sulte2o3,clendale,cAgl2o4;phone:(818)246-797i,Fu:@1e)246-0088. periodicalspostagepaid at clendale, cA and additional mailint offices. canada Post Publi@tions Mail Prcduct sales Agreement No. ostdd. a Copyritht f998 by The Fourth Millennium Society. All ights reserued. AIM may not be reproducid in any mannet either in whole or in part, without wfitten Pâ&#x201A;Źmitsion fromthe publisher The editor are not responsibie for unsolicitej manusciipts or art unle$a.stamPed,lelf-addressedenvelopeisâ&#x201A;Źnclosed. Opinionsexpressedinrignedarticlesdonotnecessarilyrepresentthe views of The Fourth Millennium society. For advertising queries 6lL 1 -a1a-246-7r79 . subscription rates for 2 i$ues, U S: g45, Foreign: $55. Postmasters: Send address chantes to AtM, pO. Box 3296, Manhattan Beach, CA 9026G, U.S.A. 1

AIM

JUNE 1998

N,o't:e

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Stating the Obvious We don't go out of our way to state the obvious. but perhaps. every now and then

we should.

Armenian lnternational Magazine

For example, we don't write 'special To AIM'on all our photographs and articles, but they all are. AIM is especially proud to be able to bring you photographs of the 4th century Armenian monastery, in Turkish-occupied Cyprus, which is about to be tunred into a hotel. The photographer we sent did not want his narne used on the photos. The state of the destruction and the intent of the Turkish-Cypriot govemment is obvious. The Makaravank photos are a typical example of AIM's contents. If you see it here, it means you prob-

207 South Brand Blvd. Suite 203 clendale, CA 91204, USA Te1 818 2467979 FaK818 2450088 E-mailr aim4m@well com

ably won't see

ITOR- PU B LI S H E R Salpi Haroutinian Chazarian

MANAGING EDITOR Paul Chaderjian ASSOCIATE EDITOR A. H. Alexandrian, Yerevan SENIOR EDITOR

anywhere else.

Tony Halpin, London

There is one exception of which we proud: Paris's Nouvelles d'Armenie MagaT.ine reprints some of our stories, and AIM, in turn, uses some of the French material, such as the sports article in this issue. The multilingual among you may wish to see Nouvelles cl'Armenie Mogaz.ine for yourself: 37, Rue Fondary. 75015 Paris, France. Fax: 33-l-45-

are

PRODUCTION AND PHOTO MANAGER Parik Nazarian DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Ray Hartoonian/Ditilith, lnc. INTERNS Karine Avedissian, Sonig Krikorian

77-81-29. So, if you like the work of photographer Ara Oshagan in this issue. or the unique writing style of Myriam Gaume, tell your friends. They won't see these works by these talented and committed joumalists anywhere but in AIM. lt's an expensive way to do things, but it's the way of the world. Ara Oshagan (below). a research scientist with degrees in Physics. Geophysics and

YEREVAN BUREAU COORDINATOR Anahit Martirossian DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Vahan Stepanian

English Literature, is passionate about photography. and about the nced to document the Diaspora experience. Over the last several years, he has successlirlly conlbined those two interlsts. For AIM, he followed around two (very dift'erentl hetoes: the "unorthodox" Father shnork Demirjian of van Nuys, califirmia. and the singer-turned-legend, Adiss. Actress-screenwriter Karen Kondazian and husinesstnan-lashion designer Jacque Kevorkian also served as willing subjects. Myriarn Gaume. scen ahove with Annenian parliamentarian Albert Bazeyan whom she interviewed fbr this issue. is a joumalist who Monde Diplonntiqre among other European publications. She spent sevwrites for eral months in Armenia this year, catching up with old fiiends on and off the battlefreld and the campaign trail. Readers of AIM will remember Gaume's work in AIM in 1993 and 1994. Her sharp eye and delicate sense of humor mixed with Yerevan editor A. Alexandrian's political savvy combine to provide a wonderlul insider's look at the cornplex and complicated world of domestic Amenian politics. We don't go out of our way to repeat AIM's editorial policy either: but that too probably bears repeating, especially in light of certain references in this issue's Letters to ihe Editor, and in the interview with Vahan Hovhannissian. That AIM does not join in

ADMINISTRATIVE

DIRECTOR

Dania Ohanian SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Seta Khodanian

ADVERTISING

Raffi Ohanian, Meline Ounjian

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Sylva Dakessian, Sarkis Shmavonian, Ronald Crigor Suny, Hratch Tchilingirian, Taline Voskeritchian

livan Tabibian,

CONTRIBUTORS Artashes Emin, Yerevan; Susan Pattie, London; Ara Chouliian' lohn HuBhes,Kristen Kidd, Hrag Variabedian, Los Angeles; lanet Samuelian' Palm

the vicious, arrogant and often completely absurd form of criticism that too-ofien passes for political analysis in our contmunity has caused some to accuse AIM of one-sided reporting. To top it off', it is often party newspapers or pafty officials who make this

Springs; Mark Malkasian, Rhode lsland; GeorSe Eournoutian, Lola Koundakjian, New York; Myriam Caume, Paris; Moorad Mooradian, Washington' DC; Vartan

accusation. (No mirrors around?)

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mkhitar Khachatrian, Zaven Khachikian, Rouben Mangasarian, Yerevan; Aline Manoukian, Armineh lohannes, Paris; Edmond Terakopian' London; Karine Armen, Kevork Djansezian, RaIIi Ekmekli, Eric Nazarian, Los Angeles; Caro

So, let

it be said again: AIM has every intention of supporting Annenia and

Matiossran, Buenos Aires

its

elected leadership-but only through comprehensive. balanced coverage of things Armenian. stl that rcaders have a true pictule ol' contplicated situations. This has not meant and does not now mean that AIM relinquishes its intention to be a sensible. intelligent, fair, unaligned torunr where policies zg arc presented. analyzed and critiqued. To do this. it is not neceso o

sary that the individuals

Lachinian, Maryland; Ardem Aslanian, New letrey; Harry Ko!ndakjian, New York; Berge Ara Zobian, Rhode lsland.

EDITOR EMERITUS Charles Nazarian

EDITORIAL CONSUTTANT Minas Kojaian INTERNATIONAL

maligned nor the nation thrown to the scrap heap. It does mean that AIM feels bound to Prcsent

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fair, contextual, total picture of what is a complex reality-within and outside Armenta. Indeed, it has been our refusal to label things in extreme tems or see everything as black a

WRITE TO AIM! We welcome all tommunication. Although we read all letters and submissions, wc are unable to acknowledge everything we receive due to limited staffint and resources Letters to the Editor may be edited for publication

AIM JUNE

I9913

lived there (except to transf'er to the l5 months)

until late 197 l. I am now alone with three grown

Metsamor's 6000-plus years

children with families of their own. They were privileged to grow up there

work done at Metsamor would be incom-

Luke Fore.st. CA

DIGGII{G DEEPER Stepan

Future, January 1998) was one of the most interesting to appear in AIM. It was certainly very refreshing to hear such objective opinions! In the wider context the interview brought up a number of relevant points which should be taced by many Armenian communities. At the personal level it was also of particular relevance,

we believe, for families of mixed origins. Their children, like all others, merely wish to be seen as the individuals they are, but are often put under pressure to "prove" themselves to one or the other side. Children in this situation can only suffer if they are made to conform to other people's images of how they should be. Let us, rather, see the advantages of their multicultural, multiracial

and, usually, multilingual upbringing and allow them to decide for themselves which pieces to use for their own personal jigsaw. We hope you continue

in this direc-

tion with such thought-provoking articles, away from the "ghetto" outlook. We have been subscribers of AIM since the first issue and hope you will be able to continue with such objective reporting on controversial matters. Betty & Albert Khadjesari Vienna, Attstria

Can you imagine how shocked and delighted I was when I saw the article entitled Out of Africa? (Religion, March 1998). In 1960, as a young wife and mother, I arrived in Swaziland to serve as a missionary for God under the auspices of the Church of the Nazarene. My husband, a physician, and I, a nurse,

just some additional facts stage of the

the latest

concerning

(the youngest was born in Africa) and it is significant that my oldest son personalized his car license to read NGWANE. I know Krikor DerBalian knows what that means! I have shaled the article with all my siblings, fi'iends and children (who were the MOSI CXCitCd)_AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ARMENIAN IN SWAZILAND! ! Bravo. Krikor! Anna Kocltigiutt Sutlterlatul

The interview with Kerkyasharian (Facing the

These are

Eastern Transvaal for about

I find Rick Ney's article

Metsamor (Destinations, January 1998) inlbrmativc and important fbr those who are interested in our history. My father

without which, the assessment

history,

the

plete and distorted. Hacob Mkrtchian le s, Ca lijo rniu

Lo.s Art ge

We were pleased to receive AIM, especially its February 1998 edition. The thorough and balanced and insightful coverage you give our country and our people is so important. Ken Norian Beve rly

Hills, Califo rnia

Yrur February 1998 issue contained some well-written and well-argued articles on recent developments in Armenia. The one that appealed to me most was

"Atl Politics is Local." I think every concerned

Moorad Mooradian's

Koriun Mkrtchian started the field

Armenian should read it.

research at the Metsamor archeological site in 1963 and later directed the excavations and research work as a scnior

I would like to add that the widespread corruption and the misuse of

geologist at the Armenian Ministry of

Geology. In 1968 he started the construction of the museurn of Metsamor. which was opened in 1970. My father directed the Museum until 1975.

The Metsamor astronomical site

was uncovered

collaboration with

Elma Parsamian. senior

astronomer

working at the Biurakan Observatory.

Emma Khanzadian, the present

director

of the

museum worked

Metsamor as senior

at archeologist t)'om

the starling days ol'the

excavations

( r e65).

The collaborative work conducted

at Metsamor is well represented in

the

power, which symbolized the government of Levon Ter Petrossian was, in the final analysis, as much as responsible for his as his stated position on the question of Karabakh. In fact these two are closely intertwined. A leader who does not enjoy the trust and the support ofhis people is bound to bend to outside pressure

it comes to sensitive internal issues. The imporlant point seems to be when

overlooked by Western commentators as well as many Diaspora apologists. They saw the change of guard in Armenia as nothing more than a power struggle on behalf of Russia and the West being waged in Yerevan. As fbr the newcomers, we have to

book Metsamor by E. Khanzadian, K. Mkrtchian and E. Parsamian, published

wait and see. So far, Kocharian

in the meantime, one who is listen. Despite the complaints of other presidential candidates about the irregularities during the voting, it's clear that those irregularities were a far cry from the scandalous vote-rigging in the presidential elections in 1996. Moreover, the charges are directed mainly against

19'73 in Yerevan.

December

son and,

24, 1993,

the Ejmiatsin regional government recognized the value of Koriun Mkrtchian's

archeological discoveries, meticulous studies of the Metsamor excavations and the establishment of the museum. which is named after him. Metsamor is one of the most impor-

tant archeological discoveries on

the

ready to

the power ministries (Defense and Interior) and not against Kocharian. It's alleged that Vazgen Sargsian, the controversial Minister of Defense, played a role in Kocharian's victory. No doubt, every new government

Armenian Plateau in the 20th century. It places Armenians on that soil with already developed civilization and culture well before any of the old and new neighbors amived in the historical pic-

will

ture.

adverse legacies

AIM JUNE

has

shown that he's an honest and able per-

1998

have an enormous task fighting of 70 years of totalitari-

an ruIe. Without a moral house-cleaning there can be no real economic recovery or political stabilization. Hopefully, the fall

of the first post-Soviet government in independent Armenia will be a turning

point

in the process of building

true

in Karabakh, something indigenous Armenian population has categorically rejected. Suny does not arrangement

that

Professor Ronald Suny's " The Fall of a President" (Cover Story, February 1998) elicited many letters. Here are

two of them, together with

Suny's

response.

It is clear that Professor Suny (similar to AIM) is a blind supporter of Levon

Petrossian when he writes: "Armenia was particularly fortunate in the last ten years to have as a political

Ter

its

understand how important

Glendale, California

In contrast, Prof. Dennis Papazian an

Opportunity to Set Things Right" distributed to the mass media in February writes, "Levon Ter Petrossian forgot his roots, the struggle over Karabakh, and his real power base, the Armenian people. The President could have brought the people along as his allies by frequent direct communication by radio and TV encouraging them in their time of suffer-

ing and keeping up their hopes and dreams. Instead, he chose to remain aloof from his own people, to destabilize and despoil the Diaspora and its organized communities, and more and more depend on self-serving individuals left over from the old regime and Diasporan

for

Harout Bronozian

leader Levon Ter Petrossian."

in an article titled "A Crisis is

it is

Karabakh to have self-determination. Levon Ter Petrossian was not elected legitimately as president in 1996. The resulting illegitimate regime could not survive and defend Karabakh's interests. Unlike what Suny says, Ter Petrossian will be remembered in history as someone whose steps should never be followed again.

Professor Suny's opinion (February 1998) that Karabakh give up its sovereignty as a compromise for peace is a sellout which repeats President Levon Ter Petrosssian's error in failing to accomplish the will of the Armenian people for peace with justice, not peace at any price. It is possible to have a negotiated settlement without any compromise in sovereignty. What is most essential for peace

is the recognition by all the

sides

in the negotiating process thatjustice has been served. Without justice there can be no peace. Vatche Kaloustian Broomall, P ennsylvania

toady organizations".

It is these and other destructive, cor-

rupt and anti-national policies of

Ter

Ronald Suny Responds:

Petrossian that resulted in a mass exodus

of close to one million Armenians,

not

ever encountered since the Genocide, weakening thus Armenia socially, economically, politically and morally. The de-industrialization of the country resulted in growing poverty for the majority of the population, and foreign debt reached $800 million. People lost hope and faith. Ter Petrossian weakened Armenia so much that the military victories and sacrifices lost their significance. What is so "fortunate" about all this Professor Suny?

As for Suny's position

that

Both the rise and fall of Levon Ter were connected with Karabakh, and the former President appreciated that fatal link better than most. But unlike many other politicians

Petrossian

in Armenia and pundits in the Diaspora, sacrifice the interests of Armenia to maximalist solution to the Karabakh problem. He refused either to push for a military solution or hold on to the status quo in order to preserve his he was not prepared to

personal power.

That is why I think "Armenia was particularly fortunate" in its first presi-

democracy and rule in our homeland. A. Nazarian The Hague, Netherlands

lurched from recalcitrant Communists to an inept nationalist, only to end up with a skilled and cynical powerbroker. In an Armenia,' where many believe that justice is only on their side and com-

promise is equivalent to capitulation, Ter Petrossian tried (and failed) to lead his people toward an understanding that the only way to lasting peace in Transcaucasia and to prosperity for Armenia is in a settlement with which both sides can live. His vision moved beyond a simple notion ofundivided sovereignty and looked ahead to a time when different states and different peoples will have different kinds of rights and privileges over a territory. From such a vision comes a way out of the dark tunnel of ethnic war. Whether President Kocharian can find an altemative to standing pat or

launching a military offensive

very

doubtful. All other avenues have already been explored, and the international com-

munity has made it clear what the outlines of a settlement must be. Everyone speaks in the name of

Armenians-governments, Diaspora organizations, and, yes, political science professors-but we have to listen more attentively to the ordinary Armenians of Armenia and Karabakh. The recent election showed division and doubt about the present and future course of Armenia, and there are many indications that people crave peace (certainly not at any price!) in order to get on with their lives. Unemployment and hopelessness about the future were the principal concerns of many with whom I spoke in Yerevan. This has led to a rise in nostalgia for the old Soviet order and to a gravitation toward Russia, even a desire

to join their northern neighbor in some kind of political union. As Azerbaijan

and Western oil companies enrich its principal enemy, Armenia is becoming increasingly isolated and, consequently, ever more dependent on Russia. Sovereignty is a strange quality. It can be lost in one moment of defeat or

dent. Her neighbors were far less blessed

more slowly, over time, drop by drop to one's erstwhile friends.

I would suggest that

with leadership. Georgians saw their nation torn apart in large measure

Professor Suny accepts to live with his

Professor Ronald Grigor Suny

hecause of the fanatical nationalist vision

family and loved ones under such

of Zviad

University of Chicago

Karabakh should be "de jure part of Azerbaijan, while being de facto self-

governing,"

Gamsakhurdia. Azerbaijanis

AIM

JUNE 1998

'l'he Irourth Millenniurn Societv is an indeperulenllv lirrrrlerl arrrl arlrnirristelerl publitr charitv commit-

tod to tlte disselrtination of inforrrralion fu'the prrrpose ol rlcvelolrirrg an irrfbrrned public.

THB

FOURTH

MIttE]INIUM SOCIBIY

IJntltrpinning all our x'ork is rhe finr conviction that tLe vit.alily ol'an irrrlelx:nrlent pless is iurrdatrtortlal 1o a dernocratic societr in r\nrrenia arrrl dernocralic irrslilrrtiorrs irr llrt: l)ias1ror.a. The Iiourth MilLtnrrirrltr Sot:it'tv Irublislrcs Arrnenian lnlernatirxral ]lagazirre in its r:[[irrt lo rontribrrle to t]re n:ttional rliaLrgtre. The tlilcctors are gratelul 1o the Benefar:lols,'liuslces" I)irtrorrs arrrl l,)'ierrrls of the l"orrlth \lilltrrniurtt Stxrietv n'ho ale corrrrnilterl to the *cll-being. grorvrIr rLrrrl rlt,lt,[oprnrnl of At tttcttiatts atrrl Arttrettitt tlrrough llte plrrlotion of open cliscussion arrrl tIre fitc fLrs of irrlirrrnatiorr arttortg irrrlivirlttals antl organizatiorts. Their fiuancial contributiorrs stqrport tlrt' urrrk ol'llrr. Fourth -\lillerurirrrrr Srx

iett

arrrl r:rrsrrre the irrrleJrerrdence of

AIII.

\lir:hacl \ahalrrt. Vart arr Oskarriarr. Raffi Z|nzaliat. I)i rrr:ror..

DIRECTORS '98

Slralrerr Hairapetian. Arrner) Harrlrar., Zirverr Klrarr.jiarr. \liclrae[ \aIraLet. |artarrr Oskaliarr. .\lex Sarkirsian. Bob Sharrrliarr..livarr'l'ahilriarr. llalli Zinzaliarr. BENEFACTORS

Srrrkis.\r'olrittn. Hirair Ilovlarriau. l'he I-incv Iorrrrrlatiorr. I-orri"r'\larroogiirrr Sirrrglr' SENIOR TRUSTEES

AUSTRALIA: llr:ros & Kate Dilaur:hian; CALIFORNIA: Khaclrig llablrarr. (irorge & I.'lora Durraians" Oeorge & (}ace Kav-.loc & Jorcc Srcirr; CANADA: liazrnig Hakirniar. Kourkel Sarkissiarr: HONG KONG: .ltu:k \,lari11 FOUNDING TRUSTEES

AUSTRALIA: Varoojatr lskcrtrleriatt; CALIFORNIA: (laren Avedikian. Nlar.rlo Kalrrieliarr. Edr-ard \'lisserliarr. IJob \lovtlf. \'arorrjan \ahabet. Norair oskarriau, Errrrnv Papaziarr Zareh Sarkissiarr" llafli Titzrliar: FLORIDA: Hagop Koushakjiar PENNSYLVANIA: Zarorrhi Nlarrlikiarr ASSOCIATE TRUSTEES

Araxie \1. Ilarorrliniarr. Ilalph arrrl Saver''ful'errkiarr PATRONS

AUSTRALIA Arrrrarr lrrtl N"airi Derrleriarr

(leorge antl Vartorrlti Tavoukjian Artirr !itrrrekjiarr

CALIFORNIA (cont.) Waltel arrd [,aurr:l Karabiarr Kcvork arrrl Sar.rrig Karajt.rjiurr

\i:lrarrt arrJ

CANADA

\ligirdic arrd

S,,rra Kazrrziarr

CALIFORNIA Garalrr:d :\kprolat .\rrrrurrtl arr,l \arrcr Arulriarr

Vartkes and Jearr Barsarrr

Harrr arrrl .\lrarr Bar*,.glriirrr Berj and Hcra Bolajiarr

Gary and Sossi Kt:vorkiarr Zaven and Sona Khanjian Krikor Krikoriarr Dora Serviarian Kuhrr Avik \lahdesiarr St.1,arr arrd L.rdjarrik \lurliariarr Har,'ur arrd Riru \lesrobial

IIagol, arr,l Viol,.t DaLe.siarr

Jasrnirre

CYPRUS

li,luard arrtl \lile \rra.argiarr Kerrrretlr arrtl (iirrtlr \oriarr

Ster e arrtl l.rreille E.tepIrrrrirrrr

Rafi Ourfalian

\{aloushag Ferrnaniarr Gagik and Klar Galstian Vahan and Audrey Cregor Pierre alrl Alice Haig Arrnen itrrd Gloria Ilampar lrpiar anrl Ilerrnine Janovan

\li,

lra,

ITALY

Krikor aut[ l{arotrt Istanbulian LEBANON

Kevork Bouladian

\{grdichian

\rda-h arrd \,lariarr Drrderiarr Dirrritri arrl Tamara Dirrrirri

-\{igirdicyan

(iaro Kehcyan

John and Rose Ketchovarr

Nlihran arrrl [']lizabeth Agbabian

lni

MICHIGAN (icorgc ( ilrarrrr:hikian

i\lex Marroogiarrj'

l arrrl I Ierrrrirr,. Pirarial

NEVADA

.\lex Sarkissiarr

l-arrv anrl Setla

lJarrres

Rolrert irrr,l llr'lerr Slrurrrliarr Pelros arrrl (iarine'l'aglyarr

NEW YORK

Ara arrrl Avedis'favitiau Oairlzag anrl l)zovig Zcitlian

Harrt arr,l {irla Korrrr,lukjirrrr Yahe \isharrianf

FRIENDS OF AIM 'l'he Fourth -\{illenniurn Sociell' is grarclul to rhe lirllou.ing lor corttlibuting durirrg the last rnonlh to hclp sr:crrrc Al\l's I'inanr:ial future.

CALIFORNIA: Toros Volkarr

Oh Where, Oh Where ... Monuments to the victims of the I 91 5 Genocide of Armenians by in the 1960s. The Tsitsernakaberd Monument in Yerevan was built in 1968, followed by the BiKaya monument in Lebanon and the Soghomon Tehlirian monument in Fresno, California, which has become the site of April 24 pilgrimages.

the Turkish government started going up

The Martyrs Memorial Monument in Montebello, California, saw its first commemoration ceremony in 1968, in the presence of then Governor Ronald Reagan and many other US officials. That was not the year that the Marine Corps band was forbidden from playing, in response to an objection by the Turkish government. In 1968, the Marine Corps band was present, as were thousands of Armenians in a city that had not yet seen a huge growth in its Armenian population. The committee responsible for the conceptualization and construction of this monument (designed by architect Hrant Agbabian) represented members of the Armenian Revolutionary FederationDashnaktsutiun, the Armenian Democratic Liberals and respected community members who did not represent either party. (There weren't too many members of the Hunchakian party in California

r zu E

Illness robbed Armen Sarkissian (above, center) of the oppor-

tunity to fulfilt the initial promise of his appointment as Prime Minister shortly after Levon Ter-Petrossian's re-election as president

1996.

Already Ambassador to the United Kingdom for five yearsand the most senior of Armenia's diplomats with responsibilities ranging across Europe-sarkissian's appointment had offered the prospect of a fresh beginning after the bitterness and division fol-

then.)

This yeaq most members of that founding committee

came

together again to mark the anniversary of a structure that has served as a rallying point for the huge Southern California community over three decades. The committee asked that the anniversary be marked during the annual April 24 commemoration. They were turned down. Committee insiders and outsiders speculate that the fact that those who represented the political parties have since been ousted by those same parties and that may have had something to do with the refusal. Nevertheless, the committee applied to the city of Montebello for the right to hold a ceremony at the monument one week before April 24.They were granted permission, and on April 19, several thousand gathered in Montebello to mark the anniversary and placed a plaque

lowing the re-election. Instead, after beginning a program of reforms, he had to resign from office early the following year. Since then he has waged, with the support of his family, a long personal battle to regain his health. At the same time, his wife Nune took on the duties of Charge d'Affaires at the London Embassy. Despite being out of the public eye for nearly 1 8 months, interest in Sarkissian remains high. Ter Petrossian was so pleased at

hearing

of the improvement in his

health that he appointed

arkissian Ambas sador-al-Lar ge. Recently, he proposed that Armenia should set up a business advice bureau in London to promote the Republic as a center for

along one of the columns. A week later the plaque had disappeared. There are no "dark forces" claiming responsibility.

investment. Sarkissian was convinced that this was vital for Armenia's future, just as he had seen it as part of his role as ambassador to promote foreign investment. Incoming President Kocharian was equally convinced, and the

Armenian International Development Agency is being launched under Sarkissian's leadership in London soon. Its task will be to channel interest and finance towards Armenia by acting as a "one-stop shop" for companies to obtain information on the legal framework, banking infrastructure and investment opportunities available in the Republic. It will also provide services related to investment projects, including feasibility studies on particular fields for potential investors. Every country has institutions of this type to promote investment-such as the UK's Invest in Britain Bureau or the Singapore Trade Centre; but this is Armenia's first. In time, the Agency, which will be run as a company with both

z Iq

o G

government and private sector investment, could operate as a network of offices around the world to promote Armenia. Sarkissian himself has experience in developing businessboth as Ambassador, when he encouraged a number of large-scale agreements to be struck, and as an individual. A couple of years ago he struck a deal for Nintendo to market an educational computer game he created which teaches children foreign languages.

AIM JUNE 1998

25 Years, 83 Years-What's the Difference?

Ratio of Armenia's four foreign ministers

"On the 25th anniversary of the slayings of Consul General Mehmet Baydar and Vice Consul Bahadir Demir on Jantary 27, 1973 in California, the first incident of its kind in US history I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the TurkishAmerican community still suffers harassment, discrimination and fear due to false propaganda regarding the alleged "Armenian Genocide".

This letter was sent to each member of the California State Legislature, earlier this year by Turkey's Consul General in Los

who are graduates of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts:

2/4 Number of countries which recognized Azerbaijan's independence before France: 1 (Turkey) Average age of Armenia's new cabinet: 45

Angeles, H. Hayret Yalav. Indeed, Genocide survivor Gourgen Yanikian (below) did lure two of Yalav's predecessors to Santa Barbara on the pretext of offering them gifts for their government, and instead shot them and waited to be arrested. He had already sent out notices to journalists and community leaders explaining that he assassinated "two evils...to demand justice" for the l9l5 Genocide (for which the Turkish government does not acknowledge responsi-

bility). Yanikian testifed for a week in his brief trial, weeping openly, and graphically recounting the horrors he witnessed. He received a life sentence for'first degree murder,and served five years in prison before being paroled. He died just two months later, in 1984 of a heart attack. In his letter to the California State Legislature, the current Consul General indicated that "we are prepared to shed light onto our common history without prejudice." Perhaps with that intent, just a week prior to April 24, Yalav did talk to a delegation of the Armenian Youth Federation (AyF) of the Western US. The AYF has regularly attempted to deliver a memorandum to the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles on the anniversary of the Genocide for over two decades. Each year, the Consulate is closed on that day. This year, the AYF members decided to make an early delivery in hopes of catching the officials in. It worked. yalav uot only received the memo, but also invited Chris Guldjian, Silva Bezdjian and Melkon Melkonian of the AYF's Central Executive to discuss the historic and political issues. The Consul General didn't like what he heard. In a letter forwarded to the AYF two weeks later, he explained that he would not deliver their statement to Turkey, since it was full of the usual Armenian exaggerations.

Percentage of welfare cases in Clendale, California, which are Armenian: 84

Number of foreign consulates in Van, Turkey, in 1914: 5

Amount in Turkish lira collected from Armenians within and outside the Ottoman Empire by the leadership of Van to feed the Armenian victims of the 1880 famine: 3.5 million Number of Armenians helped: 30,000 Number of years ago that the first Armenian wedding took place in Latin America:

369 (in Bolivia) Number of years ago that a Mr. Vartanian from Transylvania set up Argentina's first military academy:

128 Number of countries, including Armenia, which have not paid their share of the joint CIS anti-aircraft defense system: 5 Total value of all gifts (a robe from the Turkish consul general, a holiday wreath and six poinsettas) received by lame-duck California Covernor Pete Wilson this year:

$264 Ara Sarafian, Haratch, AIM Research, Azerbaiian

z I o E

lnternational, BBC, Los Angeles Times

RG II T' Armenian fi[ostolic al ol the Iliocese.

is'cGletratins ;rof thG',

shes and mission communities, several hundred full-time' staff

umulative budget of $12 mil, and arguably stitution in North

Sarajian's efforts and

in 1891, the in America was consetown and named the Holy

the community,

church community in the under the jurisdiction of the Constantinople, and it was ing to the Armenian in force in the Ottoman vlew of the political developErnpire and the growing Armenians there, Fatriarch ian of Constantinople (1896:

icos Mugrdich

of All

imian Hayrig) to take upon care of the Armenians livEurope and the Americas, Were outside the bounds of

ire. iCatholicns Mugrdich ly 2, 1898, issued anrenc cli:

the Armenian Church in diocese under the juris-

's eneycli-qal reflects thâ&#x201A;Ź

ilillr,'rll:i1q51

concerns of the time. Addressing the budding community of "diligent merchanls. hardworking artisans, farmers and tillers, virtuous

ladies and faithful children." he admonished them with his well-known fatherly tone: "Let

your honest way of life and your civilized demeanor gain respect for you in the eyes of the non-Armenians. Do not ever -eive ceuse to trouble and hatred. Be of one mind and of one

will in the way you conduct your work

and

worship of God. . .. Love marriage and family, which constitute a morally clean life. Let the life in the New World with all of its splendor and luster not lure you. Remember that you are expatriates (bundukhr ) in rhar foreign lirnd. Remember that some day, like Israel, the Lord God will take you out of that fbreign land and lead you to your fatherland.... Make an eflbrt to live together. Help each other. Extend a con-

soling hand to a wretched brother,

.:,aa.::

:.:.:.,:,.,...

. .,

r,,llrt:ti.i:::tl.iiart:r:i

CC)v,a.R ai '{'() ft Y

mentions that the community cor"rld

not pay the $3000 debt {br

the

Worcester church. This "huge burden" was relieved onlv when

Sarajian traveled to Europe and raised the funds fronr weaithv Armenians in Er-rrope.

In 1902. a Church Constitution. prcpaled by the diocesan c()nvention in America. was approved by (Center) Catholicos Vazgen l, thenCilician Catholicos Karekin Il and Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, in 1989 durlng a post-earthquake service in New York. 100th anniversary celebration al Ellis lsland (top), and Karekin lwith Cardinal O'Connor at the same celebration ceremony (bottom). St. Vartan's Cathedral in NY (opposite page).

Exhausted and bLrrned out, he wrote to

fallen friend. Fin<l ajob for the poor and the new comer, help the sick,

take care

the Clatholicos: "Though I'rr only years old. nrv constantly con-

fifiy

orphans and the

cerned und strugglin-e life has ntade me rveak... therefirre. I ask you to

wretched, and provide them with food and education...."

Like his

relieve nre ol nry duties... after I organizc the election of a ncw Prilrate." Befbre hc u,as allowed

contemporaries.

Khrimian Hayrig did not anticipare

the permanence

of the Armenian

early ietirement. Sar-ajian was tirrced to resi-un (lue to the on-going political bickering in the comrnunity. In subsccluent dccaclcs. the growin-r political cliscord in tlrc Armenian communily. cspecially starting in late 1920s. intcrtwined with the developrrent of the Armenian Cltr-rrch in North America. culminatecl in the assassination ol Archbishop Ghevont

community in North America.

In a

1901 report, Primate Sarajian informed the Catholicos about the various aspects of church

and community life. There were seven parishes in the newly-established diocese with only four parish priest. In addition to Worcester, parishes were established in New

York,

Boston,

Lawrence,

Tourian

Providence, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Fresno. Interestingly, Sarajian

in New York City

December ol- 1933. On January 2nd. 1934, the Nav, York llrrcs reported:

Khrimian Hayrig. This marked the beginning of an organizcd and institutional contrnunity lif'e in America. forlrrirlivr vcar\. thc comnrunity faced major f)nancial challenges and internal political f-eutls. Under trying conditions, Primate Salajian Irr the

tl'aveled unceasingly frorn coast to

coast in search of

scattered

Arnrenians "in the New World" and planted the seeds ol'organizecl com-

munity life. In I90l he wrore. "the majolity of the Armenians [here I are

ill

prepared and lack a basic [nation-

al]

sell'-awareness ancl

do not

pos-

sess even the most fundanrentli knowledge of Christian living." Less than three years after hc was appointed Primate, Sarajian's frantic workload caught up rvith hinr.

AIM JUNE

1998

"The murclel of the Archbishop. said to have been committed by his political enemies, took place as he r.vas celebrating ntass in the Holy Cross Church. Members ol' the church said that diff-erenccs had arisen because of his

rcfusal to display the flag of the fbrrner Rc-public o1'Arntcnia, ntosl of which countly is now included under Soviet.jurisdiction. The Archbishop helcl that the Anrcrican flag was su['ficient....."

This event hacl far leaching implications

lirr the churclt in America. obv iou s

One of the most

symptolls ol' the intensi

l'v i n-t pol

itical

tulmoil in thc church rvas the cstablishment ol'a separate plclacy in the late 1950s under the jurisdiction of the CuthoIir'osrrte ol Cilitirr. Notwithstanding the polarization of the ancl adrninistrativc

community. ii most notable period in thc historv of the ChLrlch in Arnerica is between the

ov late I 930s and the early 1950s, under the leadership of two prominent S1114es, Arch.btnhop

Karekin Hovsepiants 595e.4/7, wli*.laier hecame Catholicos of tiii Great Ho-it3e,of Cilicia. and Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan (1943-1953), httsrrclected &ut not cdfirmed) Patriarch.:of Jerusalenr. The cfowirtg,p.ipject,, conceived in 1942 by Hovsepiants and vigor,brlisly pll.sueO by Nersoyan, was the construction oftlle St. VartanCathedral and diocesan headquarters in New York Cityl the complex

19$$..,r. r li I I ';r,.', During Nersoyan's decade-long tenure, the organizational infrastructure of the church was further solidified with the establishment

was

finally consecraied

:ia-

revised Diocasan, B-"larwr,sqv,eraL,

Cathslicos of All Armenians to the Armenian cornrnunity in America ushered a new milestsBS, in the life of the church. In 1968, CI--athOlicos Va*en I came again to consecrate the'St. Vartan Camedral, a quarter of a ceatury after it was conceived and developed,,rThis raras followed by a first visit of the Cathalicos 'r:lipi icia, Srlo,:ren I, in 1969, to the communiries under the jurisdiction of the Prelacy.

Tbe two longest serving Primates in

America, who have left their signature in the history of the dioceses, are Archbishop Torkorr Manoogian, who served ftoln 1966 until his election as Patriarch of Jorusblern in, 1990, and Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, who

nation-wide organizations::lsuch a$ the.: 1fl b been Primate of the Western Diocese since rfumenian Church Youth. Organizatigh: 1973, Under their leadership new churches (ACYO) and the Association of Armenian

were.established and dozens of,nsw priests,

Church Choirs, and the increase in the nurnben of clergy. A prominent theologian and a EWS,I

mostly American-born, were ordained. In

edministrator, Nersoyan also founded therSt: Nersess Armenian Seminary in 1969. In the background of this rapid growth and

(ACEF) was founded in the Eastem Diocese

development, first Hovsepiants a11d',,,l,algr Nersoyan were actively engaged in efforts to resolve the "problem of unity," howevei to no avail.

First Pontifical Uisit In May

1960, the first ever visit

1969 the Armenian Church Endowment Fund and, a few years later, in the Western Diocese. secortd

The over $40 million Fund is the

largest in the Diaspora after AGBU. According

to Suren Fesjian, chairman of ACEF and the driving force behind its growth, this year the fund distributed $2.5 million to 65 beneficia'

the

Eavf,IG AND EDISSN

In Janu*ry 1$*5,,â&#x201A;Źatholicoe Sgrdich

(Khrimirn Hdrik)

sent a recorded

ChrL$mas mesq?te from EJulatsin to the Arnrenian community in America- At the

eraoftie

iigp, lresni*1 eGivemy

regards to the great inventor Edison, *lrose mirsculou$ inventioa,made it pos'*lble to send n-ol

tt&

r11,,r',eeor4+e of

voice. Long live Edisor aftil lho nremqly,: of his inventiou"

table cau$es, pspecially after the 1988'earthquake in Anitenia. one qdithe:first such efforts goes back to 1899, when the church organized a fundraising drive for the victims of the famine in Van and sent about $3000'to their compatriots. Today. regular diocesan aid projects to Armenia have been institutionalized through the establishnient of self-governing entities such as the Fund for Armenian ReliCf (FAR) sf the F.astern Diocese and the orphans sponsorship programs of both the Diocese and the Prelacy.

ries. The Fund has over 800 donors and has

Advocacy for the human rights of the

grown on average $2 million a year since

Armenian nation is another "traditional" area of involvement ol the Armenian Church in

r980.

I(mnnnr

Over the decades, the church has contributed millions of dollars to Armenian chari-

Archbishop Khalag Barsamian releasing doves at St. Vartan's Cathedral on Easter Sunday, 1991. The late Soprano Lucine Zakarian, lotlrgr right, performed.

America. Starting back in 1903, when the newly-created Diocese protested and cam-

of the Tsarist Russian government to confiscate the treasures and propenies of Holy Ejmiatsin, to the more recent cause ofthe people of Karabakh,

paigned against the order

the church has played a significant role in mobilizing human and financial resources for major national issues.

f'When the unthinkable happened to Armenians elsewhere, the American Diocese was here-a haven in a harsh world{o receive our people, to console their hearts, &ad nourisfl. their souls," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. Primate of the Eastem Diocese. Reflecting on the centennial anniversary,

Barsamian explained, "Ultimately, gur n!!: work of Armenian churches provided the stqge

upon which succeeding generations of Armenian-Americans could cootribute to their heritage as well as to society-at-large. And now, as Americans. we stand poised to contribute our expertise and resources to a rejuvenated Armenia. As this century draws to a close, the prospects for our people, here at home and back in the homeland, h#e'never Iooked brighter."

AIM JUNE 199.8

if"; . tl,.: 'fit",

i{rr

rriiri ;l,li ,riil

Church in America has not been free of criticism. lt ls often said that thâ&#x201A;Ź Armenian Church

l;lr

is the "guardian of the Arrnenian nation."

Indeed, a reading of the history of the church ,r , ,,,[n

.confirms the sigaificant role the

church played in preserving Armenian culture and ideutiry. Hdwever, this has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the church is rcvered',foi its "national mission," on rhe other hand, it is criticized for it, especially by second and third generation Armenian-Americans,

Baatrice Trapasso

of Houston,

Tex-as,

reflects the sentiments of a significant number of second generation ermelnian-Americans: "Raised in a New England parish, I grew dis-

illusioned with the Armenian Church at a young age with the emphasis on culture and language preservation. Like many, I hear much about being Armenian and little about ,being a Christian. My faith has developed Iargely within small altemative Catholic communities that emphasize social justice, lay par-

dcipation, and equality bstween thei sexes within the framework of weekly Eucharistic liturgies." ;,,: Profli-1sor Hagop Nersoyan of Ohio flfgue$'that "in the Armenian experience the border dividing the church from the narion has become grey to the point ol invisibility." Indeed, finding a balance berween its "national" and "Christian" mission continues to be a hotly debated issue in the church. Washington-based lawyer Dean Shahinian

said, "The challenge is to present insights , about God, the church and life with practical

ut::"i,0#pUcatiori-s

a.rryy that motivates us ro live

wtst we believe." Many complain that

rhe

church has negated its mission to "preach the Goepel

A,1994 survey of public announcements of tB parishes in the east coast, within a three month penod, showed that 8l9o of the organired events were dinners and bazaars, 16%o cultural events, and 2.5Vo educattonal pro-

grys.

*For

St. Vartan Cathedral wlth annivereary celebration posters lining the walls.

traction

of moral

Derderian.

Canadian: Diocese. "Now that Arrnenia is independent, the church must concentrate on its evangelistic mission. Our parishioner$ live in highly advanced societies and the church is called to provide spiritual comfort and meaning in a world where there is growing tension

y"urc. What will be the mission of *re church

the Annenian-Ameriean community: the what would be the role of the Armerrial administrative qctiism of the church in I Church in the "global," ever pluralistic socir America. ,,,, rr,1,,,i1,,1,,,r ; eties in North America?

The archbishops of both the Diocese and I Professor Nersoyan, author of a booklon the Prelacy had hoped that the crowning fea- i 4y-.nian Church history sees a larger role for ture of the centennial celebrations will be the the church in the next century. He explains, establishmcnt of unity between the two fac- "Churches and people that have been persetions of tle church. Howeve( this was far i cuted and maligned for long periods of time from happeaing, The developments of the last I tend to center themselves on themselves, They few years give littlp reason to believe that tend to-raise ramparts around themselves and "churoh unityl',in Aperica will be achieved around the things that de{ine thern,' ln'ran the foreseeable futire (see AIM April-May instinctive effort aimed at self-preservation. But the time has come for the Armenian One hundred years ago Khrimian Hairik , Church to look upon itself as a church for the wrote, "I pray that all disagreemenrs, quarrels 1 world. tt is primarily a missionary to its owo and factions disappear from your midst and neople,buti!.is.at$oamissipfrary*!.1q$qlrp1i,l,1$.,, I : that rnar rne the spirit splnr of or God's uoo s peace and genueness , through ano gentleness tnrough means meaEs of its own." tts own." prevail." At the close of the century, political and administrative divisions in ttre church con-: r Like: tinue to mar the church's image in the com- I and I fat*irb'iri munity, especially afuong the ed, nurrured-'ai .@

198).

I I

youth. ,,i

]

1Uii[W'..*

i.:ffi{0d,ib,fgerreiati dArmenians, asar.ncq: L

for the Armenian nation," said

fltslI$!*h0p fiovnan Derderian, Primate of the

i in the lives of third and fourth generation While the chureh leadership contemplates -f Armenian-Americans? How would the church its role and mission in the next century, a balance its "national" and "Christian" mission decades-old wound remains open in the life of 1 in the post-independence era of Diaspora life?

centuries the church, especially in the Dispora, has played the role of a 'surrogate

state'

yalues," explained

The llext 100

Years

,Jtg.g+t

of their pasf

';.J.'].iateir iabor

The celebration of one hundred years of service, growth and success is a major milestone in the history of the Armenian Church in Arueriea.

. 'as a living witrresB,lir "

of love,':], ,'..,.,'

,.,

.,,'r

{,It,!,Il$

r,'ii:iii:;l,.:.ilitr.lr,

l) I\

;

,.,""{

\' I

THE URTfl}I

pmilE$T

The role ol the clergy is changing; Father Shnork Demiriian is

redelining the priesthood one hour at a time. By PAUL CHADERJIAN and ARA OSHAGAN Photos by ARA OSHAGAN

hnll

rloze

conslt uctiott workers

l)otll \'(,llLI-Ctc li't :t tl.'tt r'i iltg bchincl Saint Pctcr .'\nleniatt Aposlolic Clirrrch in \1lttt Nttvs. Clalifornrlr. Fronr u rrcarby ol'l icc. Irlrtllcr Shntlrk Dcniir-jiln. .10. -ulanccs clou'tt at tilc \\'orkL-rs . lirr a nrotttettt then ctltttittttes a telcllhotlc frtrtc|al. **;..,,:,... conversation abottt atr Ltpcottling gSig;,,r..,,, Meetthe leodern tlirr ;rricst. i\rurecl rvith rr ffil; iii qgttutf,.1$q*1e, and a laptt' p c' rtt pit t c t . h e's ''.:::,..:,::,.

a spirinral guide bttt alsrr social wgfker, administrator, srld ort rlrtrr like thls, construction foreman.

no.louger just,

1,,,,,.,' . ,i,'tit}ii6Arrteliaq:agel.ffi$

,celibatc

virtc(l tr1, pride.

wantc(l to be a pricst

bcclrrstr

everyorlc rcspcctecl pliests." Hc u rs I5 tlren: ancl ltc

*ls still NI

callccl

b1'

lris baptisnial

nanre

csrob.

'['houghts oi bcconting a clergyrualt lcsurl'accci lirr Denrirjiln in his 20s. uhen hc lived in Frauce atrtl hatl ttt makc a dccisiotl ahor-rt which carecr path to lbllovu'. "l attettclecl cl-rurch f lctlucntly," he says. "l thought

slroultl lrecort-te a priest antl get a deccnt salart'. 'fhe ntotivatiott at that tirle nralbe

Dcnriljian be-uan to tivc his spiri,.[uality se tiotts cottsiclerlttion r,r'hen he

r'trived ,in

Florida.

hacl cve 11'thing."

he'Sayq, "a car, a horttc, everYthing

that a$elson ncecls." Thlt's when he begaryto:,qppstion thc nreaning of his life, He:b*gan to cluestion God's exis-

*:d,,S'Qgd existed. he thou-eht. iwas',hit owu lit'e serving the

alternate between periods of prayer and fasting; and il'at the end of that year he was still

convinced that becoming a clergyntan was his calline. he would fbllow through with his plan.

"l first wanted to convince myself'that if God is rcally God. if Christ is really the son of Gocl. ancl if the Holy Spirit is the inspiration o('God. then I would have to do what I believed I was called to do. C)therwise. my lilt would be meaningless." Demirjian knew

if he was a true Christian, [-re should havc a -roal. "There is no such thing as a purposeless Christian." he says. "We are called to be the light and the salt of this world: ancl because my father and rrry grandfather were clergymen, I didn't have to look for a ditfcrent route to serve Cod." What followed was a decision to enroll at the University ol'La Verne and study religion. "Afier I received my B.A. in Religion. I went to St. Nersess Seminary in New York

that

lbr a Masler's of Divinity degree. Then I came here, was ordained by Archbishop

C Vatche Hovsepian, and given this parish." St. Peter is one of more than a dozen California churches belonging to the See of Ejmiatsin; it has over ten affiliated organizations ranging from the fellowship and ladies

societies to the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO). In addition to his

involvement with these organizations, Father Shnork also has administrative

responsibilities, counsels parishioners, celebrates the sacraments, visits hospitals and lecturel,at area high schools.,and collegps.

This morning, Father Shnork has a lot on

his plate. During the past hour, he has mer with a Sunday school Volunteer and talked to him about the death ofa relative. He has also spent time with an assistant who is designing a brochure for the church. Now, he is downstairs talking to the contractor supervising the construction of the new hall and office space. When the project is finished, the new facility will be able to accommodate larger church functions and

offer more convenience to his congregation. "The simple explanation of a church is a group of believers who come together in the name of Christ," he explains. "But when you think of a church, you need to think of it as an institution, a mystical union, as a sacrament, a servant. The church has many purposes in life."

Demirjian wasn't assigned a church until he had successfully completed his clinical pastoral education at UCLA. That was in . 1992. "The first thing I did was to observe how the church had worked for almost 33 years before I came here. The second thing I

did was try to get a feel for the demographics of the San Fernando Valley." The San Fernando Valley covers 250 sq. miles of Los Angeles suburbs; in the last two decades, nearly 70,000 Armenians have moved there. St. Peter is one of three Armenian churches. The other Apostolic

Church-Holy Martyrs-is affiliated with

E R

R Y

the Cilician See, and the third church-the United Armenian Congregational Churchserves the area's Armenian evangelical community.

"Every Sunday, we have about 500 peo-

ple in church," notes Father Shnork. Yet, reaching more of his flock and more

As a priest, it's a challenge to find out where each one is from, how long they've lived in the US; and after getting a feel for who they are, trying to help them in their spiritual life and help them become closer to God."

Armenians around the world is one of Father

Shnork's constant concerns. "Around the world, there are 550 clergy for eight million Armenians. That's counting all the clergy of

of Ejmiatsin, Cilicia, and the Patriarchies of Istanbul and Jerusalem. This means we have to broaden our reach. We have to increase the number of our deacons. We have to find those people who have a good sense of the theology of the church and the Sees

mobilize them." When Demi{ian arrived six years ago, he discovered that there are 12 major medical facilities in the area. "I got in touch with the chaplains of the hospitals. That's how I started this ministry. If any priest tells you

After conducting service for the elderly, Father Shnork visits residents in their rooms to bless them. Later on this day, he must attend a funeral followed by a baptism. "You're not a robot----changing your frequency of response instantly," he says. "I always joke about this. When I drive from a baptism to a cemetery it might take about 20 minutes. On the way, I try to listen to classical music, so that I will transition to a mood which is more solemn. And then when I have to come back for a wedding, I have to listen to rock-and-roll."

"It's very hard for me to shift from a happy mode to a sad mode, and back," he

they don't have anything to do, they are lying. If there is nothing to do, you can visit

explains. "It's not easy because when you're

the prisons, you can visit schools. There is

whether it's a wedding or a funeral, you have to be involved without being immersed. You have to keep the balance because you hear cries like 'Der Hayr, where are you taking my boy, my 25-year-old boy.' I'm not taking her boy, but the mother is yelling to me'Der Hayr.'Those words echo in my mind. You try to not let it affect you, but you hear

always something to do."

ing the Ararat Home. He has brought his clerical vestments with him, and he puts them on before beginning his prayers. He lights candles and talks about the prodigal son.

officiating or celebrating the

sacrament,

it. "

"On the other hand," he says, "you are celebrating life when you're baptizing a

"Every day is like a puzzle for me; you don't get bored if you are a priest, especially

child. So what's happening in your life as a priest is that those extreme situations are giving you an extreme way of looking at

when you're dealing with Armenians." For Father Shnork, Armenian means a

and non-essentials, extreme and trivial

variety of groups with a variety of cultural

backgrounds. "Especially after the Genocide," he says, "Armenians went to

life. You end up with a standard of essentials things. When you go home and your child says, 'I'm going to buy a backpack; should it be red or blue?'You respond by saying 'just

various countries; they created their own

buy one.' Then you realize that for your

customs, their own popular piety. They had their own mourning and grieving customs.

child whether the backpack is red or blue is important, and you have to help her with the

AIM. JUNE 1998

COVER STORY Father Shnork with his father, Father Zaven Demirjian, at home. massacred during the Genocide, his grandfa-

ther decided he wanted to serve the church.

He attended the seminary in

Jerusalem where he learned Armenian. "At that time in Beirut," says Father Shnork, "he served in the first Armenian refugee camp. He used to preach Turkish and Armenian. The Primate of the Armenian Church in Lebanon had issued a special order for that specific

parish; the priest was to give sermons in Turkish because none of the refugees spoke Armenian." Years later, when his father, too, became a priest, he preached to second generation Armenians only decision."

"During my first years of ministry," he says, "to find a balance was a challenge. But

have a very supportive wife who has a sense of what a ministry involves."

"It's a fulfilling job.n he says. "lt's challenging, and veiy interesting. You enter a hospital room. When they see you, they immediately tell you how good they've been. 'Der Hayr, I've given money to the old age home. I've given money to the church.'You can tell they're seeing you as the judge and thinking it's the apocalypse now. They have these feelings of guilt, and what I have to do is tell them that God loves them and I'm not there to judge them."

He visits the

ill

and elderly uninvited.

One young woman fondly remembers how her terminally ill grandmother kept insisting that a priest came to visit and speak to her each day. Since the elderly woman did not speak English, her family assumed she was imagining things. Only at her funeral, when

Father Shnork spoke about the woman's strength and will, did the family find out that he regularly made rounds at that very large

Valley hospital and prayed with

all

the

Armenian patients. In addition to visiting hospitals and convalescent homes, Father Shnork also visits families in their own homes. "The visit may start out to be a house blessing," he says, "but when you enter, immediately, you try to cover several areas. In a very subtle way, you try to rock the boat to see how the family is and if they are having any problems. If there are teenagers in the house, I try to find out, are the parents being too pushy? You have to understand, I'm dealing with a lot of newcomers; and the children become acculturated faster than the parents. So there is always a clash. Sometimes, the parents think that whatever is American is not right, and sometimes the kids think whatever is Armenian is boring. When there's a situation like that, I try to defuse it and tell them that this is a transition."

''l

leel

I was born with a collar."

says

Father Shnork. It's lunchtime already, and he

still has another eight

hours

go.

"Although, in my life I've had many other jobs in several work environments, I really feel like I was bom with a collar. I cannot imagine myself not being a priest. Some priests say that this collar is choking them. On the contrary, I feel the collar is giving meaning to my life."

His grandfather was from the village of Lapaj in the region of Amanos in southern Turkey. The

Demirjians were ironsmiths, but when all three priests in the village were

AIM JUNE

1998

in Armenian. "Now

America," says Father Shnork, "I'm preaching in Armenian and English. It's amazing how things change. And because I know several other languages, sometimes when we have mixed marriages, I use Greek and Armenian, Arabic and Armenian. Basically, things really changed for the Armenian church after the Genocide." Father Shnork considers the Genocide and communism the two most powerful blows to the 1700-year-old Armenian church. "Even after 80 years, the trauma and consequences of the Genocide are still with us. I realize more and more that because there was no closure to the Genocide, there is a sense of pessimism all the time." He remembers a recent visit by a young father who felt a moderate sense of impending doom. "His fourth child was about to be bap-

tized. He told me, 'Der Hayr, I'm afraid something bad is going to happen.' They feel like if everything goes well, then something's bound to go wrong. I think we lost our sense of optimism, because of a series of traumatic historic events." Demirjian had to make his own private peace with the Genocide when it was time to celebrate his first Divine Liturgy. "There's a special prayer before you receive communion where you say 'I forgive all of my enemies.' If you don't say that, you cannot take the communion and share bread and wine with Christ. First, you have to forgive everyone. The word 'enemy' for me immediately meant the Turks. "I said to myself I can forgive everyone, but what about the Turks? The first few masses I celebrated were really trying. Then, I prayed and asked that God show me how to resolve this. If I'm not reconciled with You, I said, then how can I reconcile my people

with You?

prayed, and

at that time, I

TORY

VE remembered the word

of God that says

vengeance is mine. So I said to myself, I for-

give them. They belong

to your

court. Because I didn't want Talaat, Enver and all those guys on my mind."

.ue you becoming the light and the salt of this world. Otherwise, you're just living life like a plant."

through the sacraments he performs. ..I've had cases where the family has to make a decision on whether to pull the plug. I try to help them with a spiritual understanding of whether or not that should be done. I do a lot

Funerals are a constant on his schedule.

On a qulet, tree-lined residential street is Along with his wife and four children, his parents and sister also live there. Father Shnork stops by for a cup ofcoffee. He does this when he can. "One day, I was driving my sister,s car, the Demirjian residence.

and I was playing with the buttons on the dashboard. I accidentally opened the sunroof, and I looked up and saw the sky. This is a true story. I pulled the car to the side of the road and conremplated. The sky was really beautiful, and I said to myself, ,My God, the sky was above me all this time, and I didn't notice it.'Basically, that's what,s hap-

pening to us. We are in a mad race. We're just going, but in fact there are some profound questions which need to be asked. There are some proflound questions which we're not asking ourselves, partly because

people are afraid of change."

"Three simple questions: Who am I, where am

and where am I heading? I real-

ly believe that if somebody comes to church, they will find the space and the opportunity that they need to focus on what is essential and what is not essential. Jesus said I came so you can have life, and you can have it abundantly. We are having life, but where is the abundance? The abundance is when there is a spiritual meaning to life. you know who you are, there is a goal, and only then

at least one a week. "The funbral takes time," he says, "but it's a very fulfilling experience to be there, to respond to their thoughts, to their skepticism, and to show them as much as possible how to deal with God." Before each service, Father Shnork takes

time to explain the sacrament that he

marriage counseling-people who are

going through a middle-age crisis and come to me. Children who have drug problems, teenagers who have homosexual tendencies-when they come, they begin to open up and reveal their thoughts. What is inside comes out. Then, I assess the situation. If I can help them out with several sessions, I do it. If not, I give them a referral.,'

about to celebrate. "I always try to give them

the full meaning of what is happening. If you come for a baptism, there will be an explanation of what is a baptism. For wed-

He's on his way back to Sainr peter for a

four oiclock baptism. and there's a chance

dings, I meet with the couple a month ahead of time. to find out who they are; they come

he'll be late. "Everybody can be late but the priest," he says as he tries to get in touch

for pre-marital counseling. cannot celebrate the wedding without knowing the person. How can you pray for a person if you don't know them, if you have not met them? I cannot officiate at a funeral without seeing the relatives first. It doesn't make sense. For

with his assistant and right hand man, Deacon Deron Tetoyan. Father Shnork is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "Mondays are my days off, but things always come up. If you are responding to the needs of your congrega-

me, it's impossible."

:-: :

:l .

i : Fathei ,, Stihort

patient and intense. He directs the ceremony with knowledge and efficiency.

He believes the

connec-

tions he creates with families helps him empower them and truly move them

AIM, JUNE I998

tion, there is always work to be done." He also works about 75 hours a week. "There are some people who see you only on Sunday; and they think all you do is celebrate the Divine Liturgy. They want to see you filled with the Holy Spirit while giving your sernon. But sometimes, that's really

difficult." The Baptism. Twin girls, about one year old, are becoming Christians. Father Shnork speaks very informally with the families and attendees. They are from Armenia, and he is

from Lebanon.

"As a priest, I deal with two groups of people," he says. "The first group is the Americanized; the others are the newcomers. And there are two ways of relating to

can tell the newcomer,'amot ehshame on you.'I can tell them to find a way, live together, and everything will be all right. You can speak like a traditional priest who intervenes in a private situation. Bu when you deal with an Americanized family, you have to deconstruct the past in order to have a sense of what is happening, then try to reconstruct and build for the future. That

them.

requires more time

faltrer 'shnork is o-n : his WaY to ffoily*ooa to meet with a fafnily who has ',

lost a loved one. His faces another situation where he must meet, assess and try to make an impact.

V E R

T o

R Y

"I meet with people who go to psychologists and therapists," he says and mentions several young homosexual men. "I compassionately try to help them out, but I have to tell them that I have a collar on. I believe in

certain doctrines of the church. I tell them that I do not agree with the way they are living as homosexuals, but it doesn't mean that I will deprive them of the compassion that Christ gave to me. So, I keep in contact with them. I try to help them out as much as I can.t'

Father Shnork does not dismiss psychiatry or take it for granted. He often consults with professional therapists and doctors. "I'm not ignorant; I tell them that God can help to a certain point. But developments in science and medicine are also the blessings of God. God has given us intelligence, and we're using it. But sometimes when science justifies wrongdoing by saying that as long as you feel good, it's good for you, then

where

is our sense of

accountability?

Sometimes they're not finding a solution. They're just into casual remedies. "My impression," he continues, "is that a priest is able to offer more than the psychologist because the priest is giving you a hope that you can really embrace. The psychologist may say that after you have lost your son, it is natural that you will have the feelings you're dealing with. We don't say it's natural. We say, 'You know what? Your son did not die.' He is with God. And in prayer, you can communicate with him. When it comes to the realm of the unknown, the

AIM

JUNE 1998

church has a lot to offer. A simple sentence from the Gospel can really give you peace: he is with $od."

Sunday Service. Father Shnork sometimes feels that he has to compete for his parishioner's attention. "When my father and grandfather were working as priests, there

was one church. If you were Armenian orthodox, even if you didn't believe in some of the dogmas and doctrines of the church, you were a member of the church' Period. Now, the challenge is clearly immense, because you're dealing with a number of denominations. There are new denominations that are coming up. In our area, they

come

in, they research the community's a service

infrastructure, and they create

which is appealing to them. If you're dealing

with people who like classical music, then they glorify the Lord through classical music. If they like heavy metal Gospel music, that's what they'll provide. So they are conforming the Gospel according to the the the people. Whereas needs there churches, orthodox mainline Armenian are specific guidelines as to how we should worship God. For 2000 years, this is how we worshiped God."

Father Shnork talks with frustration about former church members who come to tell him that the church they're attending now is doing this or that. "I have to convey to our congregation that what we are doing is biblical. Celebrating the liturgy is biblical.

Father Shnork with Deacon Deron Tetoyan during a visit to the Los Angeles County Jail to visit Armenian inmates. It's not something that we fabricated. There is a message in the liturgy, in the hymn. But, because they don't know what the Armenian church is about, they are leaving the church.

If they knew, they wouldn't leave."

together, and then Father Shnork asks them where God lives. Some say Heaven. Others

say the sky. Finally someone says in our hearts, and Father Shnork explains the importance of allowing God to live within you.

Tlme for a quick visit to the Sunday school building behind the church. The school has about 300 students and is one of Shnork's tenure. [Saturday school has 170 students.]

the success stories of Father

They all

file in and sir down. They pray

"We are dealing with people who have a lack of knowledge," he says. "They are simply ignorant, and we have to educate them with bible study. The sermons should probably be more explanatory. You are coming and making the sign of the cross. You know what they say about the Armenian peoplB

and the Armenian church? They say we are traditional. We are not traditional. The traditional is the person for whom the tradition has meaning. We have customs. If you are making the sign of the cross because your grandma told you, that's good. Do it. Continue doing it. But only when you know that Christ and the cross are giving meaning to your life, that Christ is embedded in you, and you are embedded in him, then making the sign of the

will have meaning." "If you're lighting a candle and you don't

cross

know what you're really doing, then it's a custom. But if you really know the meaning of why you are lighting a candle, then it,s more than a custom. Christ said, I am the light. He's not talking about electricity. He,s talking

about the light which will give us life. Luckily, our church comes with customs. All we have to do now is tell them what those customs are all about. That's all. And then we'll meet our goals. If you go to a movie, you have to make sense of it. If you don,t understand, what kind of sense are you going

to make of the movie? Same with our customs." t'

Sunday Sermon. The church is nearly full. Over 500 are in attendance. He is dynamic and forceful with his words about Jesus and God.

"I minister as much as I can," he says, "the rest I leave to God. But you have to understand something which is extremely important. There is a stereotype of who is an Armenian priest-the one in black vestments, the one whose hands you have to kiss, the one who will always remind you of your wrongdoings. I want people to change that stereotype. I want to tell people that I'm not that priest. I'm a simple man like you, and I,m

doing priestly work. I'm ordained to be priest, but I'm a person like

AIM JUNE 1998

you.

E R

T o

R Y

PREP

NEW PNIES Where are the te are the students? learn? What do

z E N

z Y t I

By J0H1l HUGHES

raining Armenia's priests is the toughest challenge facing the church leadership today. The Gevorgian Seminary at Ejmiatsin was a splendid center of education and spirituality less than 100 years ago. Can it be such a place again? Catholicos Karekin

needed little

thought to answer a question that has been a focus of this Catholicos' ministry. How, he is asked inside the receiving room of his quarters in Ejmiatsin, can the unchanging message of the Church find meaning in the quickly changing world that is the new Armenia? "God is the creator of change," he says. "Within the nature of creation, change is an inherent part of its ethos, its inner change." But not the change that is so obvious in the political and social life of Armenia. Rather, it is a change that the Greek of the

New Testament called "6g13n616"-

change from within.

And so it is an inner change that the Catholicos himself, his archbishops, the students at the seminary and each priest in every church of Armenia must find, says the head of the Armenian church, before they can help their countrymen. At Ejmiatsin itself, it is a change reflected in renovations of facilities and an empha-

sis on training for a personalized ministry.

Change a seminarY student such Harutiun Harutiunian proudly points to he leads a tour of the Ejmiatsin grounds.

in shifts-about 60 at a time. Classes are held in six classrooms on the second floor of the Gevorgian Seminary, which also houses the Dean's office. Harutyun, 22, is in his seventh year at Gevorgian. After pointing out the new dor-

mitories under construction, he heads for the courtyard that field by students.

will be used as a

soccer

Inside Gevorgian SeminarY, where in 1874, workers

classes were first offered

are busy transforming the building which was turned into a museum by the Soviets. Their influence is still visible. A mural which covers the domed ceiling of the sem-

There is construction here, and hope for

expansion. The institution which was named for Catholicos Kevork IY and con-

inary's main room shows the composer

secrated by

him in 1869, was renovated last year, by another Kevork. Philanthropist Kevork Hovnanian of the US, through the

Komitas, himself a monk, in the common secular clothing of his generation, rather than in the robe that would have been his

Fund For Armenian Relief, headed bY Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the

dress.

Eastern US, had undertaken the initial construction and expansion which has enabled students to move out of the seminary com-

pound, a facility that in the 19th Century used to house pilgrims and in 1970 was renovated to hold 50 students. Now there are 2O0 and a new dormitory is being built with hopes that it will be ready for use in 2000. Once completed, the new dormitory will also provide a dining hall, relieving the cramped quarters where students now dine

AIM, JUNE

1998

The communists, it seems, wanted to pay tribute to the great composer, but without revealing his Christian affiliations. The student, Harut, smiles broadly when he says that perhaps after all these years, Komitas will finally be re-painted to accurately dress him. Harut was here when the communist govemment maintained Ejmiatsin as a theological academy. Then, he says, students like himself were mocked for wearing the long dark garb of the priesthood. "Before, when students asked questions

C concerning God, teachers laughed at them,,' I wear this freely. I am

R Y

then, they have a chance for greater involve-

Harut says. "Now,

ment in education."

not ashamed when I go out."

That education begins at Gevorgian. Here, they study theology and religion, of course, but also philosophy, history, music, literature and languages (English, Russian). Soon, says Najarian, the seminary hopes to

t was not so long ago that the seminary

at Ejmiatsin had only 40

students.

Now, full to overflowing at 200, there is a waiting list for more. They come from the villages and towns

where the Soviet repression of religious freedom has lifted to find young men eager to pursue the faith. There are two other sem-

inaries

in Armenia-one at

Sevan,

with

five-year program, and another in Gumri, with a three-year program. After graduating from the Gumri program, students take an entrance exam for acceptance at Gevorgian. Those from Sevan simply come to complete

one more year of study at Gevorgian, and then they graduate.

Students from the Diaspora are also welcomed to the seminary, but must be recommended by a primate. Currently there is only one foreign student-from France. In the past, students have come from the US, South America and India. But, with so many local applicants, the Dean says, Ejmiatsin's focus is on serving the needs of Armenia. Currently there are as many as 30 younger students using one dormitory living quarter and older ones like Harut sleep three to a room. The need to expand is a welcome prob-

lem, said Archbishop Sarkissian. And need that is being met

only through the help

of the Diaspora. "Without the Diaspora's help, the seminary cannot survive," says the Archbishop. "The local people have nothing to give, yet."

add New Testament Greek and Old

Testament Hebrew to its language program. Finding qualified and willing teachers is one of the Dean's greatest problems. "There are currently 30-34 teachers, half of whom are clergymen," explains Najarian. The lay teachers are recruited from Armenia's uni-

versities and the newly-opened theological institute. The clerics who teach include

Catholicos Karekin

Archbishop Nerses

Bozabalian, the Chancellor, Najarian himself who teaches the New Testament, Archbishop Datev Sarkissian who teaches

earlier this century and former president Levon Ter Petrossian taught there before Armenia's independence. "We will have to raise Gevorgian to the same level again, now," is Najarian's hope. Before Gevorgian can make that qualitative leap, however, Father Najarian says the library, too, must be improved. "Inherited from the soviet era, it is a deplet-

ed shell of its former self. The valuable manuscripts were sent to the State

Manuscript Library (Matenadaran), the

important historical and philosophical books were sent to the State Library. What is left is insufficient. Any serious institution must have a good library. We must re-organize ours, computerize it, bring in religious books published after 1900, and generally enhance the library as a resource for our students and teachers."

theology, and Father Michael West of Denmark, who himself learned Armenian and now teaches in Armenian. "There is a critical need for more educated clergy to teach religious subject matter, to prepare priests for the 2lst century" stresses Najarian.

"I am convinced that as was the case with the Gevorgian Seminary at the turn of the century when it did not reach its height until its students went out and studied in Europe and came back and made the Seminary one of the highest educational institutions in the Transcaucasus." Najarian

is not exaggerating.

Gevorgian Seminary of historian Hakob Manandian, linguists Hrachia Acharian, Manuk Abeghian and Stepan Malkhasian, Catholicos Karekin Hovsepian and others

produced the likes

These goals must succeed, ifthe church is to prepare clergymen who will be able to bring this ancient Christian doctrine to people who for so long saw the Church as a touchstone, but not as a source of spiritual retreat and renewal.

"You have a generation which hasn't entered the church during its lifetime,,' says Archbishop Sarkissian. "They respect the Church as a historical monument, but know nothing of the sacraments. "Participation in church was seen, at flrst, as a way to express opposition to com-

Father Haigazoun Najarian, formerty chancellor of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the Eastern US is Dean of the Semlnary.

Do all students become priests?

"Not all,"

stresses Father Haigazoun

Najarian, the Dean. Toward the end of their studies, students

are brought

to the attention of

the

Catholicos and then spend a year writing their theses. Then, with the approval of the Catholicos, they decide if they are going to be ordained and whether their service will be towards a celibate or married way of priesthood. After they graduate, they served

for one year as deacons. '"They may graduate and find that they are not ready for the priesthood, or we may find that they are not ready. Although, over the last few years, the majority have in fact gone into the priesthood, and most have opted for the celibate priesthood, because

AIM, JUNE

1998

R Y

Archbishop Datev Sarkissian, formerly prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church, teaches at the Gevorgian Seminary. "The view of every Armenian is that the Church is one of the eternal pillars of existence. Governments can come and go, we had several which were destroyed. The only permanent anchor to which they can refer is the Church." But now, with freedom comes the chance for the Church to be, not an anchor, but a rudder, steering the newly challenged. In that case, the Gevorgian Seminary is

looking for captains-in-training. Last spring, seminary students including Harutunian, produced a series of radio and television broadcasts geared at making the message of Ejmiatsin easily accessible to those who might need encouragement to return to active Christianity as expressed in

z ts

o I

self-fulfillment.

munism and to express identity in a cultural

way."

Now, with Armenia open to all types of

religions, when Mormons and Hare Krishnas prosletyze with a foreign and exotic message, "We realize that we have a big

obligation to give our people the essence and the truth about the Christian faith and provide them with an environment in which church will be a personal experience with God," continues Sarkissian. It is an old message being modernized but, it is hoped, without compromise. Teaching techniques change, the lessons don't.

And here, where not so long ago Practice of Christianity was a burden, an affront, there are those for whom the pursuit of faith is a discipline challenged by the pursuit of

"We face a materialistic, pleasure-related society," says the Archbishop' "In such a society the challenge is not the challenge that faces the West. You have to teach them what faith is. In the West, people know God. Now (in Armenia), they don't know who God is. "People are not interested in the communal aspect of life, they are interested in the personal.

Candles were lit, prayers were said in private and without the presence of a clergy. "During 70 years of communist experience when everything was done to try to destroy this church, the people lost their constant touch with the church but the love of the church was not uprooted from the people," the ArchbishoP saYS.

the Armenian experience. "Our people are hungry now," says the student. "A new system of training is needed new methodology," says the Catholicos. In giving such an education to new clergy that

can direct them to the apostolate- not to see that the people go to Church, but that the I Church go to the people.

terrohion Alumni Associolion is Botk

lntino,(AIhe terrohion Alumni Asrotiolion hos retenlly been relounthed by o group ol lhe sthool's groduoles. Ihe Assotiotion is open lo ony Pott sludents who hove ever ollended Ierrohion. tembership is not imited only lo lhose who hove groduoted lrom the sthool.

Ihe lerrohion Alumni is o group lhol is eslimoted ol being 1400 member slrong. Ihe oim ir to bring logelher lhe lormer sludents lor otlivilies rorging lrom sotio! evenls lo the estoblishment ol stholor' ship lunds ond inlernship progrons.

Ihe lirst proied is lhe conplelion ol the I998 Alumni Directory. Ihe lost suth direttory wos distribuied in 1990. ll there is onyone who hos nol yel been tontotled by the Alumni lor their turrenl inlormolion, pleose toll the Alumni Assotiolion lor ony inquiries ot (8181 713'2244. Ihis is o dired otcess number lo lhe Associolion lor ony inquiries z

ond updoles o[ uptoming evenls.

o =

All studenls ore entouroged to gel involved. Ihere ore mony things to be ottomplished whith ton only be done os o teom. (oll ond ioin lhe leom.

AIM JUNE 1998

Now with NATIONVIDE residentiol/business listings New Dusiness to Dusiness grcen poges New lntemet Vebsite of wwlv.ormenion.Gorn

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By SATPI HAR0UTIl{lAll GHAZARIAI|

ven our photographer had to be sent in surreptitiously. The Turkish government of Northern Cyprus is rot happy with all the publicity generated by protests from Armenians and Cypriots who object to plans to turn an Armenian monastery into a "five-star hotel".

Tf H -Ll

AIM JUNE 1998

On the other hand, Armenians within and outside Cyprus. as well as Cypriot officials re.iect a decision by the Northern Cypriot Turkish leadership to turn the 4th century monastery into a tourist hotel. Y ocated near a militarY base in Norttt.* Cyprus on the Kyrenia I I-/Morn,rin ,rng". the 4th centtlry Armenian Monastery of St. Makar overlooks the forest and the sea. Although greatly damaged during the Turkish invasion of 1974, it is easy to see how this beautiful, serene 5000 acre site could be desirable for

r.{

'}'

Utll

fU$.tlF

rf.urttru

of All

what is repol'ted to be a plan to build a 50-

UNESCO. Karekin

bed hotel.

Armenians, and Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia joined in. In a letrer addressed to Frederico Mayor. Aram I explained that "the monastery, with its church, monastic order and spiritual and

It has been said in the Turkish Cypriot press, that renovations will cost nearly $1 million.

7T!h" prolests have come l}om ! Amenians everywhere. ln Nicosia. I community leaders. clergy. rhe Armenian Representative

in the Cypriot

government Bedros Kalaydjian,

the

Melkonian Educational Institute and members of the community protested the decision with placards proclaiming "Genocide Conlinues.

Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian wrote the Cypriot government

asking that they

join

Armenia and Armenians in protesting to the UN and

Catholicos

cultural activities has been a well-known spiritual center through the centuries. tt has played a significant role in the lit'e of the

Arnrenian Church

in the Middle East."

Armenian government officials as well as the church leadership stressed that such a move goes against the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or

Belief, against the Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural CoOperation, and against the International Conventions for the Protection of World Cultural Heritage. Cyprus circulated its letter ofobjec-

tion at the UN. stressing that this act did not simply deny certain religious freedoms, but that it was also politically calculated to change the face of Northern Cyprus. The threat to the Monastery of St. Makar comes.iust as the old Armenian Church of Baku is slated for conversion to a business center.

AIM

JUNE 1998

rf,

o N had yet to be formed.

The appointments have been consistent with Kocharian's declared strategy as a candidate, namely that Karabakh's security depends on a strong and economically stable Armenia. The prime task of the moment is to

promote the growth of the economy of the Republic of Armenia. Kocharian explained more than once during the campaign that he was standing because he felt best placed to continue the reforms he himself had begun as Prime Minister. He has been equally clear about his poli-

cy on appointments-those chosen to

serve

in the govemment must be selected on the basis of their professional skills.

Accordingly, Armen Darbinian was appointed Prime Minister

presidential

April

10, the seventh and youngest man to hold that office in the short life of the decree on

Republic. Formerly Economy and Finance Minister in Kocharian's cabinet, his appointment came as little surprise-the 33-year-old technocrat had been hotly tipped before the formal announcement. recognized economics exPert, Darbinian has yet to reveal his political char-

acter. As a minister, he won praise for improving the efficiency and activity levels of his department. He has never been accused The

vl8lomy

Ihe

bs ot a

brighier and happler luluE, but thc harsh lrulhs of &onomlc and soclal despalr ars tho new eblnel's Hllty.

New Prime Minister and Cabinet Giue

Ihemselues A 0ne-Year limetahle. By A. H. AtEXAllllRlAl{

Within days of his inauguration, were filled quickly, as were senior positions president Robert Kocharian began shaping on the presidential staff. A Political Council his new administration. Key ministerial posts of advisors from across the political spectrum Prcaldent Bobert Kochailan wlth his new Prime Minlster, Armen Darbinian.

of comrption nor been associated with any scandal. He was not closely associated with the old regime or with the leaders of the Karabakh movement, since he was still studying in Moscow at the time. His political "neutrality" is seen as an advantage, making him acceptable as Prime Minister to the vast majority of parties as well as the political, industrial and financial groups that backed Kocharian. Darbinian is also well known on the international stage since it was he who dealt with international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. His presence is considered a guarantee that current economic reforms will continue in Armenia. On the other hand, the fact that Darbinian is not a strong political personality is a plus for Kocharian, who has never concealed his desire to intervene, at this stage at least, in government activity and to watch closely over economic policies. Many analysts, in fact, think the president intends to fulfill the functions of Prime Minister, with Darbinian acting effectively as his close aide.

Vano Siradeghian, the leader of the ANM, the former ruling party, was among

AIM JUNE

1998

those pointing this out, adding: "Kocharian has an active nature. He will not be a president like Levon. He will not say 'I do not understand economics, decide by yourselves what must be done', even though he was the one to decide the general outlines of the economic policy". Siradeghian's words were quickly given

substance. Presenting his new Prime Minister, Kocharian declared Darbinian "a good expert and an efficient leader" then added that he himself intended "to participate

actively in government work and to help the Prime Minister in every way possible." There is a contradiction in Kocharian's attitude here, since on previous occasions he has underlined his readiness to reduce the powers of the President and to increase those of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of govemment. He has stressed the necessity of defining relations between the President, government and National Assembly clearly, yet his willingness to be the effective leader of the government does not seem consistent with this. The move, however, is certainly a transitional one ahead of the projected constitutional reforms. The new Prime Minister's first moves were to assert the continuation of existing

economic policies, both domestically and internationally, and to vow to be "transparent and open" with the press and public. To this end he proposed the formation of a data bank where specialists and experts who think they

might be useful to the government might leave their names. Darbinian also declared that the government would make two telephone numbers available for use by citizens seeking help and information on particular

problems.

The issue of the vote of confidence in Parliament is not yet settled however. On April 13 the National Assembly adopted a resolution which sets new terms for the presentation government programs to Parliament and for the vote of confidence. The bill, proposed among others by former speaker Babken Araktsian, seeks to increase the government's dependency on Parliament. The Prime Minister is asked to present the government's program himself, and the program must be distributed to deputies 24 hours

before it is examined by the National Assembly. It all seems engineered to push the Prime Minister and his government into a tight spot, especially taking into consideration the fact that the President's supporters do not enjoy an absolute majority in parliament.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT

ry of the Republic. Ten ministers were reinstated from the previous government, in par-

ticular the Interior and Defense ministers, Serge Sargsian and Vazgen Sargisian, who played such a decisive role in the resignation

of Ter Petrossian. Only three of the other appointees have had no involvement either with the previous govemment or with the former administration during the past seven years. Indeed, most of the new ministers were vice-ministers in the former government. From this perspective, one can see a continuity between the former and new administrations. Many in the new government are not closely associated with the new president, and one wonders if it may really be considered Kocharian's team. The latter, however, has worked with this team for almost a year Minister of Economy and Finance Edward Sandoyan.

All but one of the 21 ministers were appointed by a single decree issued by President Kocharian on April 20. A second decree granted Armenian citizenship to the

new Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanianfounding editor

of this magazine-who

has

relinquished his US citizenship.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Roland Sharoyan wasn't appointed until nearly one month later. The explanation on the street was that this post, too, had been offered to the ARF, but that there was internally disagreement as to who

to propose as a candidate. The new govemment is an administration of technocrats and specialists, most of whom have studied in Moscow. With an average age of 45, it is also the youngest in the histo-

AIM

JUNE 1998

NATION has only a relative majority in the Assembly, is not very stable since most of its members come from the

concerning Karabakh sparked the whole political upheaval. The new Foreign Minister has indicated that changes in

former majority. Thus, the National Assembly performs only legislative duties, awaiting new

Armenia's policy will take place in this field, with Armenia insisting that negotiations to

settle the conflict must proceed from a "package" solution rather than one which

elections.

Established

o o U

tr l

zU G =

Forrlgn lllnlstor Vartan O.k nlln talks with reporlors.

before becoming president.

The education and sciences portfolio has gone to an ARF member, Levon Mkrtchian. The Minister of Regional Government, David

Zadoyan,

is a

member

of the Union of

Yerkapahs, as is the Defense Minister himseH. The appointment of another Sharoyan, a Dashnak, as Minister of Culture means there are the only four ministers who belong to a political party or organization. The ARF has decided to suspend the party membership of Dashnak ministers for as long as they hold their positions in government. Since these two organizations were the most important political forces backing the new President during the election, it is clear that the government does not have an overtly political character. But the fact that it lacks a political identity raises the question of who will make the political decisions and how. Pre-election promises spoke of a govemment of technocrats and the necessity of creating a political council around the President which would include representatives of all impor-

tant political forces in the country and be related to the National Security Council. For a month after Kocharian's investiture, however, no mention was made of this council. It appears as if the President is relying on the appointment ofparty leaders as advisors, as a way of creating a forum where diverse political opinions meet and help formulate policy. The National Assembly itself does not perform its political function as it no longer reflects the actual distribution of power in the country. The parliamentary group of the former ruling party is still dwindling, while most of the former opposition parties now back the new regime but are not represented in a Parliament elected under the former regime.

The Yerkrapah parliamentary group, which

in the name of

implements

it in stages. Negotiations

must

also take place without pre-conditions set by

national consensus and democracy, the new regime will have to face these realities. The country is at an important crossroads and its new direction depends upon the creation of the political council, able to deal with an agenda of democracy, the economic and amelioration social conditions, national consensus and the trust of Karabakh. President Kocharian and Prime Minister Darbinian seem confident, however. When introducing the Minister of Economy and

the opposing party.

Oskanian has also indicated that there

will be some changes in relations with

Finances, Edward Sandoyan, Kocharian declared the economy and finance ministry to and must also become its most stressed that powerful department. While presenting Oskanian as Minister of

be the backbone of the government

Foreign Affairs, Kocharian pointed out that

constitutionally the President has direct responsibility for this field. One has only to recall that the proposals of the Minsk Group

Turkey, as Armenia is convinced that the issue of the Armenian Genocide must be addressed by the two countries, not as a precondition or to complicate relations, but rather to remove an important barrier that hinders the establishment of completely sincere relations between them. According to Oskanian, the Genocide issue will not change existing relations, but Armenia and Turkey must not avoid tackling it frankly in order to remove it. On April 20, Prime Minister Darbinian said he set a l2-month deadline for evaluating the activities of his ministers. The fate of the new government will depend on this evaluation a year from now, provided the team has not first been dismissed as a result of early parliamentary elections.

ARMENDARBINIAN Armenia's seventh and youngest prime minister was born

in 1965 in Gumri. A

graduate of the Shevchenko High School in Yerevan in 1981, he continued his studies in the Economics department at the Lomonosov State University of Moscow, graduat-

ing with honors in 1986. After defending his thesis in 1989, he was granted

Candidate's Degree in Economics then started work in the economic policy department of Armenia's permanent mission in Russia, later becoming its head. ln 1992, he returned to Yerevan and

was made director-general

'Armenintorg', a state company involved in foreign trade.

The Supreme Council of Armenia appointed him first vice-president of the Central Bank of Armenia in January 1994. He entered the Kocharian government as Finance Minister in May 1997 and, with

the merging of the two ministries two months later, he became Economy and Finance Minister.

Darbinian was named "young man of by

the year" for Armenia in 1997

Armenian, Georgian and Azerbaijani journalists. The author of numerous research studies, he speaks Russian and English as well as Armenian. Darbinian is married, and has a four- o"ornl"tr (rtgtrg *ith shahen Karamanouklan, head ol Personner and Mrnister ot oporarlve year-old daughter, Alissa. 3:::llH::t

AIM JUNE 1998

HARD QUESIIONS ANSWERS SIRAIGHI the Ihe Yerkrapahs and

Armenian Beuolutionary Federati0n'

llashnalrtsuliun are the only two organized political entities in Armenia today with aGGGss to power. AIM lnteruiews their leaders. BY MYRIAM GAU]UIE

oth were born in 1956, one near Kamo, the other in Yerevan. One became a boxing champion before taking up arms in defense of Karabakh. The other emerged from a museum to enter the political arena and square up against a president who dispatched him to pnson.

and into an unlikely alliance born

he founded the Nikol Duman brigade. With old World War Two rifles and a few machine guns, his men fought in Ichevan andZangentr. Bazeyan, like his soldiers, displayed stamina, endurance, determination, and a sense of per-

release in February

sonal discipline, gained from his days as a boxer.

Vahan Hovhannissian

before starting work in the Erebuni archeological Museum. By then, he had already chosen the banner of the ARF-Dashnaktsutiun, going on to become a member of its Central

from

in Karabakh.- Having

earned

competition medal in the Soviet Union and

Candidate's degree in physical education,

of the

party's world

ln February l992,Bazeyan was wounded

books, from the testimonies of the past, his knowledge of men. The other lives in his everyday life the passions, the weaknesses and the heroism of his comrades in arm. Both now have a major say in the course of the republic's future, their views forged from these very different experiences. Bazeyan had been a boxing champion in Armenia before heading his own brigade of

One draws

is an archeologist

and an ethnologist who defended his thesis at the Pedagogical Institute of Yerevan in 1989

on the Martakert front and was taken to

ship on the campaign trail.

reached its peak.

board.

of a friend-

"treason and attempt to overthrow the state" as

the conflict between the State and the ARF

Square of Yerevan. When the first brigades of volunteers were formed to defend the borders,

Committee, and later

Now the upheavals in Armenia's government have thrust Albert Bazeyan and Vahan Hovhannissian into the heart ofpolitical life

volunteers

in 1988 to witness the birth of the national movement in Opera

retumed from Moscow

During his three years in prison-until his 1998-he leamed English prison, he wrote letFrom and quit smoking.

ters to his family which ended with, "Be

I am here". He kept up with political events from his cell thanks to books and newspapers provided by friends. He learned that the Yerkrapah parliamentary faction was born in autumn 1997, headed by Bazeyat, who had become a member of parliament the previous year. Their paths crossed in February 1998. The reserve colonel, the craftsman of a "velvet putsch" who has been elected vice-president of the National Assembly, and the leading personality of the ARF both backed Kocharian's candidacy. Promoting his electoral campaign from town to town, Hovhannissian became known to voters for his sense of humor, strong,

for his simplicity, reserve,

almost

Yerevan for treatment. Once there, he decided

Bazeyan

to devote himself to the defense of the social rights of the combattants and of the families of

rigidity. Bazeyat is similar to the portrait he

the victims.

nal conflict.

In July 1993, the Union of Yerkrapahs was

by Vazgen Sargsian, the Defense Minister. Bazeyan, a brigade commander,

created

became the union's vice-president, but continued his own work in the military as head of the social security section.

As the war intensified, so the social consequences for the troops and their families multiplied. The eventual ceasefire brought home as many "broken mugs" as heroes. In July 1995, Hovannissian wasjailed for

AIM, JUNE

1998

draws of the president-a man without inter-

The very broad alliance which gathered around Kocharian was portrayed as a grand "kochari" circle dance by the caricaturists; these two men embody the two political forces on which President Kocharian can rely and build, or from which he may tumble down. AIM's Alik Alexandrian and Myriam Gaume met them in Yerevan.

AIM: For the country in general, as well as for the ARF, a new era has begun.

N Vohon Hovhonnission,

Member of the ARF's Supreme Body in Armenio Have your goals and approaches undergone changes between 1990 and 1998? Hovhannissian: There have indeed been tremendous changes, but these relate to the methods and to the general climate prevailing in the party rather than its aims. In 1990, the ARF was re-establishing itself in Armenia. The mood was euphoric, that was only natural. People had not yet realized what dangers, misfortunes and hardships the collapse of the

[Soviet] empire was bringing. Entirely new conditions prevail today. The goals remain the same: the creation of free, independent and united Armenia, the

building of the state of law in Armenia on democratic and national bases. From this point of view, we expect much from the new president, namely, a national state, but, at the same time, a democratic state; a regular army, ready to play a definite role in the region, but at the same time, an army in which Armenians will not be ashamed or afraid to serve. During this period we have changed in the sense that we have become wiser. When, for

follow the oriental wisdom

ARF and the authorities, which is a very important question. For 70 years, the ARF itself undertook the functions of a state in the Diaspora by creating political, cultural, even military structures.

which says: "When two fight, the more intelligent is more guilty". And because I consider that we were more intelligent than the former

Returning to Armenia, it was evident that our aim was to change the state. We felt obliged at the time, and I believe our approach was

regime, our guilt exists; we should have

right, to carry out structural and

example, people ask me who was guilty of a situation which almost reached hatred, I used to answer "of course the authorities".

creating

But now

behaved differently in relation to certain problems. But I cannot avoid mentioning at the same

time that during these years ARF behaved according to principles, in the sense that we did not retreat one step backward from our ideas and our principles. Evidently, the authorities collapsed from

healthy forces were found

within.

Some

in the circles of

power, and they sided with the righteous. And indeed, we were the righteous ones.

Therefore, the conditions differ, but the aims are the same. But because condilions differ, our way of working must change. The duties and obligations we have taken on are much more serious today than they were at the beginning of the 1990's.

Will the ARF follow, as a political structure, the same tacticsn or will there be visible changes too? This question concerns relations between

AIM

JUNE 1998

systemic changes in Armenian society, starting with the state system and ending with the structure of society, the way of thinking, etc. This is what we call revolution. Our revo-

lution does not consist of brigades in

the

mountains and barricades in the city. Our revolution starts in the soul of the people. We tried to do that but because the state was deci-

sively against it, we found ourselves marginalized. They tried to push us out of political life.

Levon Ter Petrossian's regime evidently continued the worst traditions of the communist regime, the tradition of the state pyramid. At the top of the pyramid was the communist party and its first secretary, and the whole structure of the State submitted to them. Then Levon Ter Petrossian came, and little by little

took away parliament's prerogatives and became again "flrst secretary," a man endowed with almost king-like authority. We think a different kind of state must be created and I have real hope now that we will

N AT I O N almost impossible to fight. There were also many tactical errors. We

Assembly does not represent the real distribution of power. Once the people vote and indi-

we must also not allow ourselves, or any other

didn't pay enough attention to the develop-

party, to tum into the Armenian National Movement again, to try to become like the old communist party, filling all the vacancies in the State pyramid. Our aim is not to get into govemment positions. We didn't talk with Kocharian about this issue until after the elections. But he did agree to certain approaches and principles.

ment of a free press. We had forgotten that the party press, or more exactly direct propaganda, which usually appears in that kind of press, can provoke negative reactions among the people. We could have played a tremendous role in shaping a free press, but we didn't.

cate which parties have what proportion of support, then their participation in the decision-making processes of the country will

First, the Constitution must be

I have noticed that during these years although AIM was externally an independent magazine, evidently leaned towards Ter Petrossian, which I think was intolerable. Of course it's the business of the magazine to decide its ori-

succeed. We must not allow the new president

to tum into a new Levon Ter Petrossian, but

changed.

We didn't pay enough attention to the development of a free press. We had forgotten that the party press, or more exactly direct propaganda, which usually appears in that kind of press, can provoke negative reactions among the people. Second, a new parliament must be elected to replace this one. Third, parliament must be able to control the president's activity, and the president has agreed to this. This is the general direction in which we will work for the next two years. We may also provide expertise if the government wishes it and, in this respect, have decided that party members who serve as civil servants and government officials must freeze their membership status in the party as long as they occupy such posts. In this way, we are free to criticize any ARF member who does not perform his duties appropriately.

You criticize severely the previous regime, but you say that the ARF had its share of guilt. What mistakes were made by the party at the beginning ofthe decade? First of all, we were too hopeful, like the whole population, that changes in Armenia were really taking a democratic path. When we tried to stop, it was too late. On the other hand, of course, we didn't take into account the mentality of the people. The

national liberation struggle,

in our

view,

should also be the struggle for democracy in one's country. But we overlooked that, entirely concentrating on Karabakh and the borders, without paying attention to what was going on behind us. When we looked back, we saw that a machinery had been created which was

Some other publications, as us, began to tread the same

watching

path. For example,

I do not permit myself to give lessons. But the proof is evident: even in the Diaspora, probably again because of our mistakes, the evolution of the free press seems to have been repressed. I hope we will not make the same mistake now Now in Armenia, there are already prospects, through the free press, not direct propaganda, of changing the mentality of the people. And if we do not do that, everything else is a lie. Another mistake was that our press was often unnecessarily rude towards the authorities. Of course, we were reacting; the first blow always came from the authorities. But we were wrong to retaliate. Retaliation usually keeps you in a state of dependency. The

entation.

authorities quickly learned what the ARF would do and we became so predictable that this

clear. Our members may participate government in the ways I've already

become

described. But I agree with the president that the government should be made up of professionals. We must make sure that party members who are part of the government do not meddle in politics. Govemment is only a tool. It is the spade with which we dig our garden. That tool must not decide where to dig. That will be decided by the political bodies. If government officials are professionals, it does not matter to what party they belong.

Thert's a split in society between those who won the war and those who did not participate in the war. Is it possible to reconcile these two groups? Really, a profound abyss separates the authorities and the population. We must be able to bridge it. But this can not be done in artificially; we have to give back to the people what they has lost. Wealth illegally accumulated during the previous regime must be taken back through taxes, without new lootings, without pressure or the use of firing squads.

Robert Kocharian has already started to achieve this and to establish a normal budget. This should continue steadily. In this way, the

population will grow to trust the authorities.

frightfully weakened us.

Today you are on the side of the authorities. How do you behave towards those who were previously in power? Do you have feelings of revenge? The word'revenge'must be excluded from the political lexicon. But we must examine why Armenia finds itself in this hopeless situation. Why were such mistakes allowed in the privatization process? Why were the people looted? How come capital fled Armenia and factory machinery was sold as metal to third

world countries? When these questions are examined, guilty parties will appear of course and those may be punished only by law. But no political force can reserve to itselfthe right tojudge and punish others. Does the ARF consider itself

a ruling

party?

No. The ARF has no intention to take over power. But it does intend to take an active part in decisions concerning the political orientation of the country. We will not be

You have repeatedly stressed the words the

'law', 'legality', 'right', in speaking of

authorities and the ARF. But lately, the well known ARF leader Edward

The ARF has its own opinion concerning national interests. If the government refuses to listen and to take into account our opinion, then we are obliged to

disregard their opinion. Hovhannissian declared, "if the ARF is not

there by ourselves. The approaches of the var-

able to amend the Constitution by legal

ious forces must be brought together, of by the president. But the National

means, then it bypasses the law for the sake of the people." Doesn't this contradict what you have said, and demonstrate a'we know

course

Assembly must also have its

role.

AIM. JUNE I998

Today's

NATION what's best for the nation's mentality? Edward Hovhannissian's words concerned the ARF's 1O0-year-old history, when its work was based not in Armenia, but in the Turkish and Russian empires and elsewhere. Under these conditions, the ARF naturally stated 'I know best'. Who else could say it? Armenian statehood did not exist. In these conditions, national interests supersede the law. In Armenia, this approach must change. The concept of 'right' is above everything else. But we must participate in shaping that right into law. For example, we do not accept the present Constitution because it does not spring from national interests. We think it must be changed through the influence we exercise, and we struggle for that goal, but we do not infringe the provisions of the Constitution.

appropriate climate for business. Stability in this respect would encourage local investment and stimulate our Diasporan compatriots as well as foreign enterprises to invest in Armenia without worry. The core of our national concems remains Karabakh. Without Karabakh, Armenia would gradually become a secondary or tertiary state

I'm not convinced that the whole world is unified to try to bring us to our knees and leave Karabakh to Azerbaijan. There are differing views there too. The international community is trying not to take into account the situation created at the end of the war. They are starting from the 1988 situation as ifnothing has happened since. At that time at least,

z Y

I o I Y zg N

But Edward Hovhannissian's words concerned the present and this Constitution. Don't you think the ARF's conviction that "we know what is right' was one of the causes of the ARF's dilficulties in Armenia during these last years? The ARF has its own opinion conceming national interests. If they refuse to listen and to take into account our opinion, then we are obliged to disregard their opinion. If Levon Ter Petrossian's regime had remained in power, we should have continued the struggle in that way. But now we can convey our opinion though debate, through an exchange of opinion with others. We came to Armenia to council but they told us, 'no'. They said we are not part of this state and are enemies. Under

Bazeya|l

these conditions we were obliged to say, 'We are

Ilrflonal o8moc]allc

right and you are wrong'. This was not desirable of course, but we were reacting. The shadows of this climate of animosity continue to survive and are reflected in the statements of certain Dashnak figures. But the Supreme Body

of the ARF for Armenia

decides

its

own

will not be held

responsible for individual comments by individual Dashnaks. approaches and

Albert Bazeyan, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Head of Yerkrapahs AIM: What should

be the priorities of

the new executive? Bazeyan: One of the first priorities should be to secure real equality of the rights of all citizens, and to ensure, even impose, the execution of the duties of all citizens towards the state, and in the first place their tax duties. It is not possible to assist the vulnerable segments of society without a sound state budget. This is possible only when people fuIfiIl their tax obligations.

Another pressing issue is to secure

ulh

I(ochailan 0n

lto

camDal0n

lnll. Standlng Dchlrd lo8hrilan ls fis[ag

Sad0tan ol Uazoon

trnullrn'i

Unlon.

in this region. I believe the country's leader-

Karabakh's autonomy within Azerbarjan was by the USSR. The international community should realize that artificial placement of heavy pressure on Armenia brought about a power crisis and forced the country's leadership to resign. That should bring them to corresponding conclusions. I'm convinced

ship should promote active diplomacy in international circles in support of Karabakh's right

guaranteed

to self-determination.

The Diasporan communities should be involved in that activity. We should be able to convince the world that the region won't achieve a stable peace without a solution to this problem. The new authorities do not represent the "party of war", we all want peace. Peace is important as much forAzerbaijan and for the countries which have interests in Azerbaijani oil as it is for Armenia. Therefore

that there won't be military pressure on Armenia; after all, there are differences among countries, and they are not all of one mind. In the beginning the pressures were exer-

cised against both countries. Azerbaijan remained very firm in its positions. When Armenia's leadership made concessions, the pressures increased. Now it's different. Besides, the international community used

we should ensure peace not by making endless concessions, but by the existence of a strong army. We should keep on working to reform our army and to raise its levels of training and

to exploit the problem of Ter

discipline.

One cannot expect that international pressures concerning the Karabakh problem will soften with the coming to power in Armenia of a more hardline leadership whose positions are tougher than those of the previous regime. What should be the tactics ofthe new leadership?

AIM, JUNE 1998

Petrossian's

Iegitimacy, whereas the new president has been truly elected by the majority of the people. The international community and the countries interested in resolving the Karabakh conflict should therefore adapt to the new situation.

They should, in the frst place, bring the leaderships of Azerbaijan and Karabakh around the negotiating table. As for the ques-

))

NATION mutual concessions, our position is, "No" to

the formula "lands for peace"-we

have

already secured peace; "Yes" to the formula "lands for the independence ofArtsakh". If, fearing war, we agree today to leave Karabakh

I don't think US security forces would remain idle if there were an attempted assault on the White House or a bid to kidnap the Speaker of the Congress. As for the events leading up to and following the resignation

The opposition attempted

order had to be kept. within Azerbaijan, in a few years, Azerbaijan can come up with new and bigger demands, strengthened as it might be by its oil revenues. Renewed calls for a 'Greater Azerbaijan' are already being heard from Baku. I'm convinced that with the combined forces of our whole nation and the countr5i's leadership, we can reach a just and legal solution to the Karabakh problem. An imposed political settlement cannot hold, because it would leave the door open to instability and to a situation of permanent war.

Following the power

crisis

of the former

President, there can be no question of a putsch. The new President was elected as a result of a norrnal process. True, there have been complaints concerning irregularities. But I have to say that we're in the process of learning; we don't have traditions. In any case, the latest elections were free and fair

[in September 19961to grab powel. by fOfCe. That WaS not a peaceful demOnStfatiOn that the army dispersed. Law and ilryffil,::

changing power in Armenia. Therefore, both sides committed errors. The army shouldn't have been involved; instead, the forces for safeguarding internal order should have faced the people, but they were not ready.

lfJH:#:',#u,,$i

results. This was the conclusion offoreign observers too.

Some fear

that the rccent alliance

between the Union of Yerkrapahs and the ARI'cannot live long, despiie the ideological similarities between the two, and relations might sour again. Do you have such a fear yourself? No I don't. The two are different. The ARF is a century-old traditional party with great pottical and organizational experience. The Union ofYerkrapahs is a three-four year old public organization which deals with the social and legal problems facing volunteer soldiers and their families. Those problems should have been dealt with by the state. We have had several complaints in this respect but we have always given prime importance to the stability of the

You recently declared in reference to the 1996 events that the "authorities used force against the people". Since the Yerkrapahs were involved in those events, that statement could be interpreted as selfcriticism of your part as a leader of that

Republic; we haven't opted for

organization. Don't you think that your

other than meetings with offrcials, memoran-

measures

last answerjust now contradicts your earlier statement? I repeat my earlier statement. The former MARIN

da, etc. We share some similarities with the ARF from an ideological point of view, in relation sHAHBMrAMrRueHpness to the solution of our national problems and shategic questions. We don't share their point of view concerning the The Armenian Cause (Hay Armenian Cause is present in our hearts and minds, but that can become state

Dat).

Armenia some circles made assertions

about the militarization of internal political life.

policy only when the country and the

Those assertions and concems aue groundless. We're gradually moving on the democratic path and trying to establish a normally functioning civil society.

people have resolved all their problems.

True, the ARF has also formed brigades and participated in the war, but being a political party, its aim is to come to power in order to achieve its aims, whereas the Yerkapahs do not have such ambitions. We have, in the past,

But we cannot neglect our national security concems. We cannot permit ourselves the luxuries that pacifist states living in peaceful conditions can allow. Throughout the centuries, the Armenian people has created cultural values, has built architectural monuments and cities,

but unfortunately has not

backed specific forces like the ANM, the Hanrapetutyun bloc, or lrvon Ter Petrossian, believing that they would uphold the achievements of the national

liberation struggle

thought

of the past years.

When we realized that they had decided As a result, we're creating today our Hdlnrlls3l& Gaftr, uEr Briltil, l0l[ and flicoD lr0ill!il 0[ h0 to do away with the Karabakh problem, statehood only on one tenth of our his- lnnillar lhm0cnuc Uion! Prily ol lm![la, dgil, ann0uncln0 [E tllauo we turned our back on them. 0l h! "JlEfrc! d lhlu" alllilce b iml Ur Gindldicr d noioil l0c[illai. Our collaboration with the ARF toric homeland. That's why, we have to during the electoral campaign stemmed endow the army with an extremely from Kocharian's position on the Karabakh regime created such a state where it wasn't important role in terms of defense and nationproblem and on the issue of national consenpossible to change the authorities by legal al security. That doesn't mean that the army sus. We're ready to collaborate with all those methods. All election results were looked at has to interfere in internal political matters. who adopt the same stands on shategic issues with suspicion, and the authorities held power There have been some attempts in that and questions ofnational significance. Our by force. But the opposition too was not respect in the past, where the power structures approach is to take into consideration not the (army and intemal security forces) have interpatient. The authorities created conditions political affiliation of the given candidate, but that allowed the opposition to convince the fered. But that was necessary at the moment. rather his moral stance and professionalism. people to endanger state symbols such as the The opposition attempted [in September 1996] I don't foresee any conflict with the ARF or National Assembly and the presidential headto grab power by force. That wasn't a peaceful demonstration that the army dispersed. quarters. There were plans to take over the others. state TV station. God forbid such a method of Law and order had to be kept. enough about the means to defend them.

AIM

JUNE 1998

THE KARABAGH MOVEMENT 1988-1998

Zonvrx lxsururr For Contemporary Armenian Researeh and Documentation, Inc. 19 DAY STREEI' CAMBRIDCF]. MA O2-I40 .I211 YOUN(;I.] STREET, SUITE 230 NORTH YORK, ONTARIO, M2P 2A9 CANADA

The international conference featured a dozen specialists who presented, assessed, and analvzed the most extraordinary decade in Armenian history over two davs: NIav 2 and 3, 1998, in Cambridgeo Massachusetts.

Moderalor: Dr. Khachig Tololyan, Wesleyan Universitv and editor of thc l)iaspora: A Journal of 'l'ransnational Studics

Participants:

l)r. Levon Abrahamian, Arrncnian Academy of Sciences

l)r. Armen Aivaziarr. F-ulbright Scholar, Stanford University Dr. Slephan Astourian, UCLA Nlr. llichard Giragosian, llditor, T[anscaucasus: A Chronology Dr. Flclmund Ilerzig, Manchcster University, UK Mr. Antranig Kasbarian, Rutgers University

,rP l-

Mr. Ilobort Krikoriano Harvard University Mr. Arthur Martirosyan, llarvard University Dr. Markar Melkonian, Author/Writer, Los Angeles Mr, Karen Ohanjanian, MP, Republic of Mountainous Karabagh Mr. Razmik Panossian, London School of Economics THE ZORYAN INSTTTUTE THANKS THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED GENEROUSLY TO MAKE THIS CONFERENCE POSSIBLE The Gulesserian Family/Sheraton Commander Hotel, Cambridge, MA, Migirdic & Ani Migirdicyan,

CCI

Kourken & Lena Sarkissian, The Armenian lnternational Magazine, The Armenian Mirror-Spectator,

The Armenian Reporler International, The Armenian Weekly, The Hairenik Weekly, Asbet

.P *\E

Nayra

Balanian, Ohannes & Annie Beudjekian, Herattdr & Sonya Doumanian, Hagop & Ica Kouyoumdjian, Haroutune & Shake Mekhjian, Kemeth Martin, photography, Varouj & Kristin Aivazian, Armand & Janet Avakian, Sirop Bedros

& Mariam Bedrosian, Kamy & Jill Boyajian, Sarkis & Alice Boyajian,

Jack & Glenna Cholakian, Richard & Shoushig Daghdigian, Alex Davidchanian, David Davidian, Nerces Dermenjian/l)crco !'oods lnternational Division, Arsen Demirdjian,Sayat Nova Armenian Reslaurant, Kegham & Anna Giragosian, Richard Giragosian, Harry & Pearl K. Copoian, Luther & Ida

Cueyikian, Mauice & Berjouhy Gulesserian, Kemeth & Gloria Hachigim, Popken & Vart Hachigian,

Arti & Sylvia Hagopian, Raffi & Vicki Hovanessian, Emmanuel & Ida Kado, Harry Maghakian & Lucy & Verjin Mardirossian, Khoren & Seta Nalbandian, Berdj & Evelyn Papazian, Ilaig & Agnes Pedian, Hagop & Seta Sevakian, Rouben & Pat Siraganian, Oscar Tatosian,

Terzian, Lynx Travel, Vahe

Isberian Rugs, Martin L. Tellalian, Noubar & Hourig Tcheurekdjian, Vasken & Lucy Terzian, Andrew

Rose Torigian, Alan

& Rita

Damadian, Ara

Rosie Yeretsian, Joseph

Elisabeth Arakelian,

Nicholas & Crace Aznoian, Stella Beylikdjian, Kachie & Virginia Bogosian, Arax Charkoudian, Arpie Charkoudian, l,evon & Bethel Charkoudian, Joseph & Lisa Dagdigian, Artin & Karen Dermenjian, Arpi S. Emirzian, Haige & Dora Garabedian, Nancy Guzelian, Tony & Elizabeth Haboian, Edward & Lucy Karian, Milton & Araxi Mardoian, Shanhnour & Mimi Yaylayan

For information on the published proceedings of this conferencee please contact the Zoryan Institute at (677) 497-6773; fax (617) 628-7880

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Ihe LAUSANNE G [|

NIR[|UE RSY

Ihe lleaty ol lausanne is nothing to cele[rate say Armenians, Greeks and llrrlrs. By T0llY HAtPlll

he 75th anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne is provmg as controversial as the original document which sacrifices Armenian rights to international politics. The Turks want to celebrate the event at

the site of the agreement in Switzerland, while the Kurds are preparing a congress to advance their case. Armenians and Greeks, taken by surprise, are combining to oppose the Turkish "provocation". The Swiss authorities are left feeling nervous and confused. Signed on July 24,1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was agreed between the First World War Allies and Turkey, ending the Greco-Turkish war of 1922. lt replaced the o = tr f

Fo o z

l920Treaty of Sevres, marking a victory for Turkey and defeat for Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds.

The Treaty put an end to 3,000 years of Hellenic presence in Asia Minor, deprived 20 million Kurds of the right to nationhood, and wiped the name of Armenia from the map of its historical lands.

Early this year, the Turkish embassy in Bern approached the Federal Minister of External Affairs with a proposal for an official ceremony to mark the anniversary. The munic-

u N

ipality of Lausanne was also contacted as was

o F o

the Canton of

where Josef Zisyadis,

Vaud,

born in Istanbul of Greek parents, is head

the department of justice and law enforcement.

The

Swiss-

Kurdistan Association, meanwhile, is planning a congress of intellectuals

on the same date

AIM

ests. Spokesman Ismet Cheriff Vanly, a lawyer and historian of Kurdish descent from Lausanne, argues that Switzerland should have the courage to oppose Ankara's

application. The Trustee of Lausanne has also said it would be "inappropriate" to celebrate the occasion. The Swiss authorities feel caught in a dilemma, unwilling to upset a major trading partner yet conscious of their commitment to humanitarian principles.

Recent history offers compelling evidence, however, that the Turks may get their

way. In July 1983, following terrorist attacks by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) in Orly, federal and local authorities in Lausanne gave permission for an Arrnenian World Congress which denounced the injustices of the treaty.

decade later, Kurds demonstrated in the streets of Lausanne bearing PKK flags and

anti-Turkish banners before the Trustee and Swiss deputies. It would be difficult to deny Ankara its celebration when Armenians, without diplomatic representation, were permitted to do so in the past. However, Swiss law enforcement services do not exclude the possibility of terrorism during the commemorative events, from groups ranging from the PKK to the Turkish Gray Wolves. Those concerns may

yet overwhelm other considerations and

defend Kurdish inter-

prompt the Swiss authorities to cancel them.

JUNE 1998

April 24

cD0024

Various Artist

Catharsis

CD0034 ARTHUR MESCHIAN Conlemporary Vocal Music

Magic

Chain

CD0039

Palpitation of

SEVADA

Soul

Communion

CD0035

DHOL Armenian Drum CD003l AVO CHAKHLASYAN Traditional lnslrumental Music

Armenia

ARTHUR MESCHIAN

TUSINE ZAKARIAN

Contemporary VoGl Music

Traditional Vocal Music

cDoo40

Mask

MADITIAN

SPURK

ARET

Contemporary vocal Music

Pieces for Piano

Midnight

Komitas

CD0044 ROUBTN HAKHVERDIAN contemporary Vocal Music

CD0030 World Fusion

CDoo4s

LUSINE ZAKARIAN Traditional Vocall Music

CD0035

Davigh

CD004r KHATCHATUR AVETISSIAN Traditional lnstrumental Music

5t,

Etchmiadzin

ZAKARIAN Traditional Vocal Music LUSINE

CD0O46

Flute CD0o32 MANOUKIAN Traditional lnstrumental Music

SHvl Armenian NORIK

Wander

CD0033 ARTHUR MESCHIAN ConlemPorary Vocal Music

Passion

Passion CDoo37 DUDUK QUINTET Traditional lnslrumental Music

Winds of

Echoes

CDo043 Circle Dance MOURAD MSHETSI Vocal Music Traditional

Winds of

CDoo42

ARARAT PETROSSIAN Traditional lnstrumental Music

CD0038

Patriotic music Traditional lnstrumental Music

erevan

CDOO48 This is ROUBEN HAKHVERDIAN Contemporary Vocal Music

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cD31 75 KHATCHATUR AVETISSIAN Traditional Vocal Music

CARNI

Section 907 prevents US aid to Azerbaijian.

hen the legislative branch of the US government addresses Armenian issues like the allocation of humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Karabakh, the public relations spin is not far behind.

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian says "It's incredibly frustrating. We remain deeply troubled by the continuing efforts of the Statc Department. u,hich tbr years prevenled US aid trom reaching Karabakh. to further delay or diverl congressionally approved direct asristancc." At the Armenian Assembly, Board of Direetors Vice Chair Annie Totah, charged rhe

Even before.the money is distributed, the word is oul on which congressman to congratulate and which organization was responsible. Via fax machines, modems. the internet ancl traditional media, everyone takes credit for the promises while politicians and their commurii. ty liaisons arc in the limelight rrying [o secure their collective political future (and nexr paycheck) as they hand out or receive proclamations, commendations and declarations.

This may be the way the political machine

runs, but what happens after the flashbulbs die down. after the modems take a breather. alter the e-mail messages are deleted and after the headlines disappear tiom the lront page? What happens to the promises? What happens to the money?

Nothing has happened this year, and that's the current issue in focus by those representing

Armenian inreresrs on Capitol Ftill. "Aid to Karabakh has been delayed too long." read one quole in the recent tlurry ol press releases pouring from the Capital. Ar issue is $12.5 million promised in the '98 budget by rhe leg-

islative trranch but not yet di$persed by the executive branch. Armenian Asseirribly and Armenian Natjonal Committee r.p.esentatir., are lobbying:rboth Congress and *re State Department to have the funds distributed while requesting money for the next fiscal year.

According $300,000

to the

Srate Deparlment.

of the amount promised has been

handed to the International Committee of rhe

Red Cross: media reports indicate

rhat

,$1.00,000 has been used

to vaccinate the children of Karabakh. Jirair Boghosian. Deputy Prime Minister of Karabakh says his govemment has not received any funds for the inocu-

lation ol' childrenl word on the streets of Yerevan is that the funds will be distributed inside Armenia through USAID grants. The Aimenian National Committee is not ouly cotqerned that the money has not been dispersed. but that a portion of the aid to victims of the Karabakh conflict will be diverred to Azerbaijan, even though a ban known as

AIM JUNE 1998

Clinton Administration with violation of "clear congressional intenl" The Assembly is asking the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to stop supporling a "nilmow. one-dimensional policy that aliirms the prima-

cy of US energy interests at the expense of peace. democracy and respect for huntan rights." Executive Director Ross Vartian says the goal now is not only to straighten out t"his year's "tug-of-war'' betwecn Congress and the State Departmenl but make sure next yeat"s

budget

is more specific as to who

should

receive the funding.

So, will Armenia ever receive the $12.5 mitlion promised by lawmakers? Hamparian says the State Department says S-3.3 has been

"obligated" to Karabakh and another seven million is "intended." Presitlenr Bill Clinron's advisor on Assistance to the Ncw lndependenr States. Ambassador Richard Morningstar says the US i'is moving quickly to disburse aid to the victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,

who are residing in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh itsell and the resr of Azerbaijan."

r;a

Lile as

Karabakh seen through the eyes of children

;':,.,t...::.I.:,fiiffi$il!ie$*f NATION

SBf.ji..l,tir,F,Jm

.i,.

'a.a;:

,trry {@

U{ifu*,-trJ )\r

or,llUJ

fi#

- ;;*

l,lL VIAF USt,

H2trroi

Zu,r,ritt AIM. JI]NE I998

o N o M

dress ed

to kill By IOISIEII

l0Dll; Photos by ARA 0SHAGAI|

-year-old Jacques Kevorkian is among the newest fashion designers to open up

shop in Los Angeles; the Lebanese native would just about kill for the name recognition the infamous Dr. Jack Kevorkian has achieved.

n fact Kevorkian named his first retail outlet NV which is a play on the word envy, "It actually has a double meaning, NV also stands for new vision because I like to encourage new designs," Kevorkian explains, and that includes his own. Kevorkian has designed a new line of "higher-end contemporary" men's sportswear he calls Planet USA. His goal is to obtain a broad level of brand recognition so that one day he might oper, Planet USA stores all around the world. "I like what Gucci has done in terms

of selling in the wholesale market and

opening retail shops too,"

says

Kevorkian. Gucci is a favorite designer Kevorkian's, but he says there are plenty of other good role models for him

to follow. "There's a people out there."

lot of

successful

eight months ago he opened NY his first retail boutique. "It helps the business because we clear our inventory from the shop," Kevorkian explains, "but we are thinking of moving to downtown L.A. because it's difficult to get appointrnents with buyers to come to La Brea

for our wholesale accounts." On the retail side, Kevorkian says the shop at 134 N. La Brea has given Planet USA a lot of good exposure in a city full oftrend-setters.

Kevorkian's Planet USA designs are inspired from his observations at Los Angeles dance nightclubs. "My brother and I used to work nights promoting clubs to make some extra money." Kevorkian recalls noticing that

"even though we had very wafln weathel people dressed really nice." It's that welldressed hip young male crowd Kevorkian is targeting, guys who like to dress up when they

go out. He uses French and Italian-made fab-

rics that have a distinct European look

and

feel; but as the name implies, his designs are meant to be unmistakably American. o how does he plan to make it in this cut-throat industry? Kevorkian says he is concentrating flrst on the wholesale market and will slowly build his retail business as income allows. "It's a hard business because I'm doing it all myself: designing, financing, marketing." Like most new businesses Kevorkian is saving on overhead by handling most of the work on his own. He hires independent contractors to make the clothing from his designs, then he takes it from there. Any profit he makes is reinvested. Kevorkian expects he'll be living hand-to-mouth for years to come, although he predicts half a million dollars in sales this

Y Tevorkian sells his Planet USA K and other new lines to retailers I\-oona the US, Japan and Korea.

year.

Many of his contacts are made at trade shows; he recently attended one in Las Vegas where he landed the Korea account. By concentrating on wholesale, Kevorkian can continue to develop new lines as he expands his accounts.

Kevorkian learned about the fashiou business while a student at Cal State Northridge, where he recently graduated with a double major in economics and international business. During school Kevorkian worked for the Armenian-owned clothing chain Politix. "I worked there for nearly eight years in every department: sales, management, buying and wholesale," says Kevorkian. tn 1996 he decided to take a chance and start up his own wholesale business, then

wears in Europe.

AIM JUNE

1998

"We're planning to launch a new line at a lower price point," Kevorkian says. "It will be fashionable but more for business-wear." Eventually, Kevorkian plans to sell his "European markets are

ECONOMY

NANCY KRICORIAN

becoming more interested in American fash-

to Kevorkian who has applied for American citizen. Kevorkian ions," according

moved to California in 1987 after graduating from Hovagimian-Manougian High School in Lebanon, where his family lives and works in the furniture business. Before enrolling at CSU, Northridge, Kevorkian took some fashion design courses at American College in Westwood. "I always believe in having a 50-50 background to be balanced in business. You must have the artistic talent, but you also have to understand how to run a business," Kevorkian says. ou can find Planet USA designs in Los Angeles boutiques: NV, Fred Segal Trend, H. Lorenzo, The Swell, and DNA. In San Francisco his line sells at the fashionable Rolo, a store called Behind the Post Office, and UKO; and in New York at Patricia Fields and Antique Boutique. Shops in Miami and Chicago also carry Planet USA, but Kevorkian won't stop there.

"I work

eight days

"I(ricorian tells her story of the everyday tâ&#x201A;Źxtures of Armenian immigrant life.. .. noru"poigpantty renders rhe generational differences, the pull of America, tAe slow

fading ofthe old culture, the prejudices encountered and hardships ove.come . . . Zabelle's story is richly and convincingly rendcred."

-SeN *As

in Toni Morrisoni worlq thc act of simple remembering is

n<rt enough;

*The

IhlNcrsco Cnntrmcrr

Zabelh,like Morrison's best work, is a Iovely and artful piece."-Trrvu ou,r

drama and intensity of the Armenian experience in the twentieth

cantury are cruelly underrepresenred in contemporary fiction. tn Zabelh,

N*.y

Kricorian brings a poert gracp and a keen sensitivity to voice this Armenian experience with very memorable results. u..*r" is richer for lfticorian's

a week,rr Kevorkian

laughs, "but when you're doing something

efiorts."-RlCK MOODY, author of Tbe lce Stonn

you love you donrt notice the exhaustion." Maybe when the name Kevorkian is synonymous with style rather than suicide, he'll consider taking a day off.

AIM JUNE

1998

ANMEilIAInI AI IHE WIINLD GU Alain Boghossian ulill play lor thG Frcnch IGam. 0h well...

FrllUlU(CE,.8| COUPE DU MO NI,E

ry 4EU9! rqIf,DlUil rmenia won't be going to the World Cup Soccer games in

Armenian team if Aim6 Jacquet left him out of the French group in '98. Three

but Alain

days after that statement he was called up to play for the French team in the game against South Africa. Fifteen months before the prestigious

France this summer,

tournament, the French recruiter thought he had made his picks for the World Cup. But with the French team demonstrating

mediocre results, Jacquet was thinking twice about his selections. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Alps, a soccer player was preparing and hoping.

After playing in Naples, Boghossian joined the Sampdoria de Gdnes soccer club and his exploits permitted his team a

good early start

Calls came from the Armenian Soccer

Federation with dreams of integrating him into the national team. Boghossian

will.

Boghossian said he thought

politely of

his

father when he wore the blue of the French soccer team for the first time in the France-South Africa match late last year.

"It took Boghossian one minute to get into the game and once he had his rhythm

he was unstoppable: a fighter, brave, active, and useful in recovery," wrote l'Equipe commenting on Boghossian's frst match. The Armenian Federation was pressuring him to join them, and Boghossian was tired of waiting for a possible selec-

tion by the French team. So, he announced that he would join the 44

declined each invitation hoping waiting for his other dream come true.

Having

you have to always try to be number one. He always pushed me to work harder and try to beat myself. Only work pays off in

life. "And, today, my efforts have paid off. Despite some of my misfortunes and injuries in the last few years, I never gave up. Now, I have to continue working, to confirm this terrific gift that I have been offered because I am aware that with the French team many people come and go. This first selection is only one step forward."

in the championships

winning the praise of Italian journalists.

Boghossian

first found out about it, I thought right away of my father, who is deceased. He had always explained to me that in life

been

picked has not gone

to his head either. This is what he declared in L'Equipe

last October 3rd: "I feel tremendous joy, I believe I have been picked because of my early success in

the season

at Sampdoria. When I

AIM JUNE

1998

Thanslated from French bY HarrY Dikranian, from Nouvelles d'Armenie Magazine.

,,MEDIATING IT

MADNES

,,t i1

By KRISTEN KIDD Photos by STEVEN RUBIN wo people at a time, this 25-year-old grand-daughter of Genocide survivors

is helping

make the world a more peaceful place. When she's not working on her Ph.D. in Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Lorig Charkoudian volunteers to mediate disputes. She was recently honored by Mademoiselle Magazine and MTV for her volunteerism. "There's an incredible sort of powerful feeling

to watch the

transformation that happens when people come together," acq,ording to Charkoudian. She should know; she's mediated everything from neighborhood arguments over parking space. to racial fighting, to disagreements between divorcees over how to raise their kids. "Our goal is to catch the cases before,-,,,:,{&â&#x201A;Ź,: .vio,le{i*,' bEBins, " she explai ned-,, i.r';1i:.;,;,;..:]:.,;:]

consider

some gloups haven't viewed each other

human

beings for centuries, you know that kind of hate won't go away quickly," she said.

Charkoudian

is an idealist who

accept that violence

to encourage people to create small businesses and spend money within the community rather

ing most of their products and serlarge corporations based outside of

refuses ro

inevitable

and unavoidable. Volunteers at the center she created describe her as exremely intelligent and

"It's

" admitted Charkoudian

cornmitted, Raheemah Rahem, a case man-

who

ager at the "Communiry Mediation Program."

helping commun

ts and parents for r:$trong concern for

calls Charko*dian's dedication and drive con-

Mom was

schools i

=jiia

Levon C

others. "My at inner-citv

father, isor to was

50s ale

rn Iaâ&#x201A;Źdlat ifornia .

and

She

lnl attemptlng lan was

upset but a

goal dian very

witnessed.

gram medi

about ; and

we did to what inue to listen to and do everything

individual disputes have giVen her :t1sbq'1iid someday entire nations of pgople can teiia io do the same.

"I've been thinking about that a lot lately,' Charkoudian admitted. "I believe that the transformation that happens between two people can translate into entire races and nations. It's going to take time. When you

com.ways to ies." It's not about collecting and redistributing wealth evenly, Charkoudian believes the way to go is

AIM, JUNE

1998

ions. Laughing as she pliment, "I don't really think I'm just loud, in everyone's face; people see me and notice me!" She summed up her own potential saying, "there's a lot I have to learn from the world. and there's a lot I have to offer."

GOtlRJIAN:

AtWA[S AGIING UP Millions know him as Justine on the Party ol Fiue, but thete is morc to this youn g aotot-writer-d irector than meets the Bye. By

lffilSIEil lflllll e's more than "a fresh new face" but

all, his

not yet the big box office draw he

works

may one day

become. Actor

Michael Goorjian is one of those performers who does it all-acts, writes, directs, choreographs and produces screenplays, stage plays, even music CDs. His drive to work as a storyteller rivals the young Oscar-winning stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

"It's become fashionable to do it a11," Goorjian, "but I certainly don't do it for the sake of being popular. I do it because it says

makes sense to work on things you enjoy." Goorjian broke into the entertainment industry on his own, without the benefit of famous parents. "No one in my family has anything to do with show business," says Goorjian. His father is a mathematician for NASA, and his mother is a nurse. With solid

role models like these, you might expect Goorjian to be an engineer or a doctor; after

sister

the

more secure field of land-

TV seies Party of Five. Goorjian plays "Justin," the best friend and romantic interest to actress Neve Campbell's "Julia." He has already won his first Emmy Award and appeared in the theatrical movies Hard Rain, Leaving Las Vegas, Forever Young, and Chaplin.

on the popular FOX

scape architecture.

So, why pass up the chance for a "nor-

mal" career? Goorjian says he's had

attraction for off-the-wall things. His interest in alternative art led him to found a San Francisco Bay Area performance group called Maldoror Productions, named after the French surrealist novel he says had a big

impact on his style. Through Maldoror, Goorjian and friends create "weird" films and music. Some of his collaborators belong to a Bay Area band call:ed ldiot Flesh. For

Goorjian-the weirder the better.

^4, f course. Gooriian's work is not I lentirelv eclectic. He has acted in \-,/.ury mainstream television and

film productions including a recurring role

AIM

JUNE 1998

?loorjian's

stage work includes the

tr#l:,w! f !,xi' i, i*,- :{; r,!.i:

An impressive bio for a young actor represented by one of the top talent agencies in Hollywood,ICM. But mainstream isn't where it's at for Goorjian. As he sees it, it's mostly good for paying the bills and providing fun money. "I could easily buy a big house and a nice car but I choose to reinvest the money I make

on not-so-desirable projects-the work I really enjoy doing." Much of Goorjian's energy is

now going into selling a screenplay he wrote and directed titled

Oakland Underground. Goorjian is also trying to line up funding

for a

feature

film

wrote called Beatrtce. In the meantime, a new film in which he had an acting role, SZC Punlcs, was just featured at the

famous Cannes Film Festival. "It's a film about punk rockers in

Salt Lake City," he says. is named

Goorjian's character

"Heroin Bob." It fits. The weirder the better, and the busier the better.

Js he an over-achiever? his secret for I Goorjian saysgo Isuccess is to

after every

dream actively. "If you want to do something, don't just talk about it.

Do it."

His family has been very supportive of his unconventional career, sacrifices and all. "My parents like to joke that they know I'm still alive because they can tum on Party of Five from time to time and see me on TV," Goog'ian laughs. 'We all sort of learned about the ups and downs of this business together.' he says. Goorjian's parents were also supportive of their children's desire to leam about their Armenian heritage. "I was sort of allowed to choose how much involvement I wanted. It wasn't forced on me," he recalls. As a child he spent a lot of time at the St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, but he says he didn't know a lot of Armenians outside of church. In a profession based on assumed identities, Goo{ian has never considered going by a more generic-sounding name. "A few people have suggested that I change my name, but I'm proud of who I am." Goorjian says one day he would like to use his craft to tell the story of theArmenian Genocide, but he would like to become better known before taking on such an important subject.

"Spielberg did Schiniler's List after establishing what he could do as an artist. I kind of agree witlr that," says Goorjian. Look for Goorjian's name in lights in the movie SLC Punfu this fall when it's released in the US.

AIM JUNE 1998

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Karen l(ondazian: Actress, Writet, Producel By KRISTEN KIDD Photos by ARA OSHAGAN

ollyrvoocl is the nrakel o1 drr--attts. it placc whiclr lures rnany u'ith its prornisc o{' tarne aud lbrtunct lrtrt it

takes talent. dcdicatiern. perscvcralrce itnd character to succccd here. Karcn Ktudlrzian all that itnti rttorcl she has lirund hcl niche and sur-vivcd in thc lickle anrl unstablc rcality of the entcrtainrnent business. Kortdazian is a hald-rvorking actress who also urites and has

plocluces.

Kondazian

is in

l.rer'

40's, but slre

lirr "l'vc treen doing

has eniol'ed a busy and succcsslitl cateer

morc than

-10 )'ears

nou.

this sincc I rvls eight years old." shc expiains. Hcr l'ilst television appc:rlrlrtces ri,ere ott "Art Linklcttcr's House Party" as one of the precocioLrs kids who answerccl cluestions on Art's children's panel. Kondrzian says she enioyccl the attcntion and especially liked getting ottt ol'school rvhele shc u'asn't the most poprttl:n

kid on thc plitl,uround. "Kids rrscci to tttake I-un oi lrc. tirl)c toilct paper to rny back irt school anil I u,ouldn't know it.'Iltosc kinds of ten'ihlc tlrin!,s kids do to eaclr othcr." she renrernbcrs. l.lower'er. it t'asn't long be1'ore that shy lncl lonely child derelopctl rnto an accomplislrccl actress. At tlrc age of 1-i Kontlazian becar.ne an apprcnticc at San Francisco's lcgendar-v-' "Actors Workshop." Then in high school shc strrrecl in a play that would be a prclude to hcr prolessional acting

clrccr. Kondazian

pla1.'cd "Lartra" in

Willialus''l-ltt (llu.s.s Merta,qtrie. on to play hlll'a clozen other lead-

'fcrinesscc Shc went

ing ladies createcl hy thc

cctntrorersiltl

Williams. Those roles included "Lldy"

Dest t'tulirrg. "Serafina" in l'l-tc lltt,tt Tirtloo. "Alexandr-a I)el Lago" in S+rttt llinl o.l.Youth. "Mrs. \\'ire" in lterr.r Crtrrr'. an<l "Maxine" in Nl,g/rl ttf lhe l.quanu. ()11tIte tr.s

AIM.

JUi.r-H 199[J

Korrr-lazian says plaf ing Williants characters has [rcr,:n an acting challcrtsc thirt has olicn thrcatctled to throw hcr into <lcpression. "You lccl your tnad. ecccrttl'ic sicle cotning out Jtnncssee's mad eccentticity. Il yoLt don't uatch out. tlris '"vork cittt really get to

you^" Kondazian u'arns. Still. it's been a challcngc tlrat has paid olt' fot lrcl cirreet. In 1973 Kondaziai'r wils slart'ing ilt as rvell as producing 'l'he Rost' 'lirttoo lrl the Bet'elly Hills l)layhousc whcn 'fcttttcssee Williams tlroppeci in. Willianrs watchccl the play and lcporledl-r, comnrentc:d that lie hacl ne\rer

ser: n

a bcttcl staging r)1'his stolY. Kondazian says Willian-rs likeci it so ruuch tIt:tt he gavc hel tlrc rights to producc ali ol' his plal's. a protnise lllilt unli)11unilltl1 u rrs It\.'\ r't put in u Iiting. ondazian is an actless rvith rlany awards to ltcr namc, including an LA ,Drar.na Critic's Circle Awartl lil' hel role of "Serafirta." ancl several /)rtaiirr-Lttgrte Awards. lntclcstinglS. the organization tl'ral rccogn:ized hc| as a -qreat actress latcr hired her as

lvt-itcr. Kondazian wrote a crtlunrn

fot

Drama-Log,ue called "Sculpting Your Ciircer"

which profiled casting directors. She now writes lbr a weekly publication called Brrck Wcst. inlcrviewing agents. dil'eclols and otlrer plolessionals who cun plovitlc irrsiclrt Ior ur'tors l()()king to irrrptove their crlrlt. Konrlirzitn reccnIly intervieued Iirrurit .Sttt.qt'

tlircclor' .lrrnrr'r Cumcron itnd wrs prepaling to rrrcct with Mirrlin Scorcere in New Yrrk tbr one of lrcl upcorring columns. Kondazian enjoys writing so mnch

that shc rcccntly decided io try her hand at writing a screcnpluy. She wrote I westem based on the truc story ol a worrlen who lived her lif'e as a man; thc. screenplay was picked

up by the power-house Willianr Mon'is agency. which rrot onlv represcnts the cream of the crop in Hollvwoocl but also ofters str-r-

dios "packaged" projects rvith writers. aclot's and directors it represents. Kondazian says she is hopeful br-rt uncertain the scrccnplay will be macle into a ntovie. "The .ucnre lol' Westcrnsl is so tou-eh. Thev conrc rncl go in popularit1,." says Kondazian. "We'll see. I beiieve anythrng is possible." When asked if she would like to

slrrr irt rhc

lilm rl it were t() he m.r(lc.

Korrdirziirn s11 r. "No. but there is an Ilrlirrn housekeeper I would play." If Tennessee Williurns chilr'lctcrs hur c heen one clefining role in hcl carcer, Italian mothers have heen

anolher.

"l play a Iot ol' Italians,"

says

Kondazian whose resrrrne Iists Itaiian. Cuban. Grcek ancl Russian accents as her specialty.

C !,

In trrct. at one point in her career. Kondazian was thc voice coach fol Herve Villachaise. the lntc actor who played the well-known rolc trl' "Trtltoo" {)n thL' telc\,isiort set'ics Ftutto.\.\ Kon1111r1.,, rir) s she cnj()ys nla),ing Italian l,,ornen, hut it always Lrpsets her when she gets passed up lirl an Annenian part.

"WheneveL I go u1t lbr Altucnian r<tlcs, I'rn alu,ays krld I don't look Arnrcnian!" Her frus-

Konclan firl awhile. "She said because her studellts cor-rldn't pronounce Kondazian. but I suspect it was because of' thc pre.iudice in Fresno at tltat timc." says Kondazian. 'My nrothel wantecl kr be an uctlcss but couldn't get a role. A lot of Alntcnians at tltat time couldn't go to certain l'estiturilnts ancl hotels. It was terriblc." she rccalls. Durin-e lrer teena,qc 1,ears

San

Khanzadian. who is also a lr-icnrl. Thc tlvo arc searching for trn Arrrrt rti:rn plo jcct t, pn,

Francisco. Kondazian savs hel rnain conrrcction to the Armenian conrrnunily was through thc St. John's Armenian Church. At schutl shc r'ras misunderstoodl "people wor-rld ask, Arnrenian. ivhat's that'l Ale you Arab or

dirce. "Really a kincl

\(rntctl)in.o.' slrc :a5 s lnd latrghr.

h'ation has encounrgccl hcr to lciul up with arvard-winning thcatcr clirector Anita

o1 wonderlr-rl tlibutc.

not only to who we are but the univclsalitl'ol' what it is to be Armenian," Kondaziirrr explains.

or Kondazian, being Arnrcnian

has

meiint many things over the ycars. Shc grew up in the San Francisco Bay Areir

whcrc her mother and father. I-illian and Vrrnurn PaLrl still lit'e. Her step-father rs a wcll-knorvn attorne),. and her mother was a school teacher titr manv years. She was born itt Ncuttln. Mlrrvrclrrr:eil.. rtettr Boston. She stys there is a "Konrlazian Street" in Boston

l() lleI ul\"tl .oltrntlllrtlter who wirs in the nrcn's suit busincss arounrl thc turn of

conneClL'(1

the century.

Konclazian

ntcmhcrs

vcly

little

about her younger ycars in Fresno, but she

s iln

actress she has on occasion uolked r,r ith othct' Arnreniun lrtists. "Vru know it's interesting that rvhen-

cvcr I rrect

Arme

nians in this

birsiness.

Mavbc wc don't tulk ahout orrr common t-amily history, hut thcre's an unspoken connection," she says. It's a connection Kondazian is hopinr to cxplorc nrorc in the lirtLrre. "It's one ol nry goals." she suys. "l havc a l'avot'itc qrrote lrrrnr I'cnncssce Williams' plity Cantino Real. He says 'Makc voya-ltrcs: attcrnpt them. There's nothing elsc." Konciazian will con-

tinue to nllr'\ue neu lttltcr)ttrrcs irs it rrtiter. lr producer and an :rctress. Her latest lilm Ml Brutther.iacA' is being screencd at the Naplcs Filrn Festival this surnrner. And guess what'l Shc pla1,s another Italian rnom.

does recall her nrothcr using the nunrc

[[l$$, ll|[[ln$l

'f 7 ing of Pop. By all accounts, Adiss Harmandyan l( was the first to take European pop to the Armenian I \stage. He also single-handedly turned Armenian

pop music into a business and, some would argue, an art. Others would even claim he liberated a whole generation from Turkish music. Story and_

ARA

At 52, Adiss-everyone calls himAdiss, even those who don't know him-is busier than ever. His band, which includes his brother Pierre on drums, and his son Norair on bass guitar, played in Abu Dhabi in February. "We invited Adiss because we knew he would draw a crowd from nearby countries," said one of the organizers of the

unable to remember the rest of the cities. "We are somewhere every weekend." Avedis Harmandyan, known as Adiss Harman by the time he was 14, came of age in the early 60's, singing, playing the key-

annual event.

French songs by the time he was in his early

Already this year, Adiss's gigs have to Paris, Amsterdam, Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago, and.... Adiss waves his hand

twenties. Then, in 1966-67, he took a major, but calculated risk. "I was very successful in European music, but I did not see a future in

taken the band

board and accordion in a band called "Heliums." They only played European songs. He wrote, sang and recorded eight

AIM JUNE

1998

,1t w tdtmta,

It is known as the Vernissage-a French word which

trans-

lates to Vamishing Day, the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved for the artist to spiff up the paintings. It starled when the country was in a period of transition, unemployment skyrocketed and life became a struggle. Teachers and academics, artists and scientists, musicians and housewives, young and old, men and women took glasnost literally and began restructuring. They sold whatever would generate some revenue and turned their hobbies into a source of income. The Vemissage grew from a couple of booths of paintings to more than a thousand stands. Yerevan residents are not the only ones who come to sell their wares, so do residents from as far away as the villages of Hrazdan and the northem city of Vanadsor. Participants pay I 00 Drams (20 cents) for a space and a few hundred more for an actual booth. The fees paid are used by organizers to take care of cleaning and maintenance.

The Vernissage is now a Yerevan institution. It's a must-see for tourists and residents, a place to shop gifts and the best place for window shopping minus the windows. The combination of art show, garage sale, museum, antique shop, sidewalk cafe and street performance happens every weekend, rain or shine; no one wants

to miss out. 'Tourists

sometimes have a hard time digesting the clash of the East and the West-Lenin, Marx and Engels memorabilia alongside religious icons of Jesus and Mary. New and Rare Books The Vemissage is part hardware store, part antiquarian bookVendors beg tourists to buy the l2-volume set of the Armenian Encyclopedia for as little as $50, a price which include

seller.

the special l3th volume on Armenia.Also on sale are a wide range of art and poetry books. A set of Hovhannes Shiraz poetry books go for $6.

for $150.

Variety of coffee table art books are available in very reasonable price.

Soviet memorabilia is a big hit with tourists. Medals, coins, flags, banners, currency, stamps,

For the Home From crochet tablecloths to antique rugs, a shopper can tlnd anything he or she needs to make a house into a home.

walks very cheap.. The most expensive is a couple

Memories

army fatigues, hats, even gas masks fiom the Soviet era are on display on the sidewalks, on the lawn and hanging from trees.

The Noori Noori traditional dolls are made

of rug fragments, old

clothes, wool yarn and

paper.

valleys of Yeghegnadsor, Tsakhkadsor and Arzni are elegantly framed, and even a dried poisonous scorpion can be had to display.

alongside craftsmen. One plays the cello.

Then there is crystal from what used to be

sors, car parts and other machinery, guns and even lice killer. Pet For Sale

Although the streets of Yerevan are full of stray dogs and cats, at the Vernissage, there,s always a small crowd around those who sell pet animals under the statue of Vartan Mamikonian. On the streets, the strays scavenge for food.

At the fair, pure breeds like Dobermans and Chihuahuas, or English Toy Terriers (above) sell

hundred

Music & Musicians The sounds in the air are not just happy shoppers or loudspeakers playing rock and roll. Skilled (and underemployed) musicians stand

Flowers and colorful butterflies from the

Czechoslovakia. sometimes lor as much as $ 130. Vases from the Arab Emirates and India sit alongside pots and pans, toys and clothing from Iran, Turkey and other Middle eastern countries. A shopper can also find second-hand items like sewing machines, surgical knives and scis-

dollars for a real medal of the highest hero,s honor-the red star. Four of them decorated the Brezhnev's wide-or as they used to say jokingly, widened-chest. Catherine the Great and Peter the Great haven't been overlooked either. Old Rubles, ancient coins, sell for a few dollars by someone who carries them in a bag and shadows the customer, cornering them, convincing them to buy.

Another, an instrument maker, demonstrates his handmade duduks or tunes them as he waits for customers.

are cheap. Red communist flags, sporting the hammer and sickle or Lenin, or Stalin, range from $5 to $20. The flags and banners of the Great Patriotic War (known as World War II elsewhere in the world) that thousands caried marching into war are ignored by the locals and snapped up by foreigners. The countless medals and pins used by the communist regime to reinforce certain values are

no longer-well, valuable. Women who

had

more than five children received a very special medal; complete set of five can be bought for $30 these days.

Variety of medals are available on the side-

Sergei Papian, a retired mechanic from the local caramel factory, makes and sells instruments. He is passionate about the duduk, shvi and zooma. He enjoys making them, loves to play them and wants to sell them-from $10 to

$40. Miniature

traditioial instruments are second

only to bottles of Armenian brandy as a favorite souvenir. Now, the collections that used to include the folk instruments only kamancha, - saz, oudduduk, dhol, zoorna, kamani, tar, include modern Westem instruments as well. Rafik Vardanian makes sure his miniatures are of the same material and proportions as the real things. Vardanian is still a professional tar

DESTINATIONS player; he is the solo tarist with the State Musical Ensemble and has performed in Syria, India, Beirut, Iran, Hungary, Romania, Yemen and Cyprus. At 60, he still plays the tar all day as he waits for customers for his $20 miniatures. Hunan Simonian, 41, an unemployed engineer, makes them all. The oud, which he loves, takes two days to make. He uses Yegevni (fir tree) for the front, Hatseni (Jack Tree) for the back, Loreni (linden tree) for the arm, Hachar for the ears, Walnut for the area under the strings, and it costs only $10 for a miniature oud or $40 for a real-size tar or kamancha.

Gold and JewelrY

A line of men and women sit shoulder to shoulder, each holding a tray and a scale; they sell gold and silver jewelry. A gram of gold averages $10. The customs officers at the airport who are quick to check tourists for non-declaredjewelry items don't say a word about the exquisite, hand-made silver and semi-precious jewelry that the Vernissage

is famous for. The

colored

stones-amber, garnet, turquoise, carnelian-are overwhelming. Everything from copies of old to

original and modern can be found. For $100, Edik Vartanian, 32, will sell you the copy of the antique necklace he holds (upperleft). He has real antiques from the early 1800s

well as excellent replicas. Elbrus Malumian, 57, says he has several awards for his work including "Artist of the Republic of Armenia". His many local and foreign exhibitions don't bring him an income, but his creations in silver, gold, ivory and other pre-

cious stones do. The carving of Christ, which is one square inch in size, is result of 15 days work and

Robert Garnian is an experienced geologist who in the Soviet days was sent as a specialist to Germany, Algeria, Mozambique and Tanzania, to research the diamond and uranium mines; he now makes a living by cultivating nearly all kinds of colorful precious stones. Sevak' also a geologist, knows the value of stones and enjoys

turning them in to a beautiful jewelry. Obsidian, which in Armenian is often called "the devil's nail" for its sharp edges and deep' shiny black color, was widely used in ancient times to make spears and cutting tools. Now they make beautiful decorative items from jewelry to a variety of khachkars, keychains, candle-

sticks, boxes, paperweights and desk accessories.

The Armenian tufa which has always been the primary building material for houses is a

favorite stone among those who

make

khachkars. Mkrtich Mouradian, 55, is an accor-

dionist who loves to work in wood, metal and especially tufa. He makes and sells khachkars only and Sevak makes and sells miniature churches. The miniature of Zvartnots, a 7th century church. goes for $80. Woodwork

sells for $150. Stones and Gems

Brown and black obsidian is everywhere' Other semi-precious stones native to Armenia are also everywhere-in the raw, and as jewelry and mementos. From onyx to malachite' to agate, amazonite and marble, Armenia's trea-

AIM JUNE

sures are found and adapted by geologists more than jewelers.

1998

The woods of the land have always supplied the artisan and artists with variety of materials to work with and to tum into wonders. Possessing

the esthetic taste, a set of tools and a world of patience, they have been creating, carving, shaping a log of discarded wood into a desirable, priceless artifact.

DESTTNATIONS make both household goods and decorative arts,

is still in use and a favorite among artists. The clay which is twisted and turned, rolled and flar tened, cooked and blazed, by hand or on the wheel, eventually takes a proud shape of a king, a lady, ajar, a vase or an endless numbers of

popular traditional salt jars, shaped

still-

woman, symbolizing fertility. Sasoon Vartanian, 42, was one of

frst artists

to establish the Vernissage tradition. After more than 20 years of doing what he loves to do, he

still has many ideas for giving new face to pieces of a walnut, pear or a hatchar tree. Sasoon, like many others, used to depend on the government shops, "salons," to sell his wares. Much of the

income was lost to commissions. Vernissage is much better. No commissions to worry about. For some like Tigran, 38, his woodworking hobby became a life savior and also a source of income. The former head veterinarian at the Yerevan Zoo is now making modern, abstract, statues.

A table full of spoons is all that 3 l -year-old Norayr sells. In the traditional Armenian family,

the spoon was more than a utensil. It often symbolized the size of the family-a ,'five spoon family" had five mouths to feed. His sets sell for $15 to 40.

There are a number of non-Armenian artitheir home. Alexander Shkarbanenko, 39, a Russian Kazak, has only Armenian and religious themes in mind for his sans who make Armenia

wood pieces. He has worked with theaters, exhibitions, contractors and even has a documentary about his work and his unique imaginative art.

The work which he calls the ',birth

the

Armenian alphabet" includes the Targmantchats Monastery; it sells for only $80. Also on display are row after row ofRussian Matrushkas and jewelry boxes with hand painted Russian themes; they sell from $3 and up.

Pottery Clay, one of the oldest materials used to

Many young artists are atftacted to clay; Zareh Shahbazian, 19, is just one. Shahbazian studied at the esthetic center for children since he was 6-years-old; he has three of his works displayed in the Children's Museum. Now a student

in Yerevan Institute of Fine Arts, he supports himself by making and selling pottery of all kinds with his partner Araik Ohanian. The two have been at it for three years.

On the opposite side is a row of beautiful and modem clay pieces somehow different from others. Among these are meticulously made figureens by Mousheg Amirkhanian, a 36-year-old graduate of Art Institute, who is now an art

instructor. Items are sold $15 and up.

Manuscript Reproductions The huge collection of illuminated manuscripts in the Matenadaran have become a good source of income for Ashot Movsisian and Armen Ayvazian. Both 25 and graduates of Yerevan's College of Art, they specialize in manuscript reproduction. Using special materials such as goat and calfskin as well as special papers and dyes, they work on weekdays and sell their art on the weekends. Some are sold for just under $10, and the ones which takes nearly a month to finish for $60. These are only a handful of displays. The Vernissage, which starts from Republic Square and ends at the foot of Vartan Mamikonian's statue (nearly a mile), is expanding rapidly. New

booths and tables appear each weekend, making this Yerevan institution bigger and better.

AIM

JUNE 1998

A MUSICAL FIRST He's not your average l3-year-old. Meet Koriun Khadjesari,

singer in the world famous "Vienna Boys' Choir'" lt is a remarkable honor and an incredible demand that Khadjesari took on at the tender age of nine. When he did so, Khadjesari made history. In its 500 year tradition, there is no record of another Armenian member; that makes Khadjesari's father especially proud. Albert Khadjesari is from Iran and spent ten-years studying music at the Arn'renian College in Calcutta. He also became a well-known figure on Austria's operetta stage and is a regular singer in Vienna's Armenian Church, where he is a Deacon.

During the past five years, the younger Khadjesari has seen a lot of the world, perfbnning for thousands of fans in cities all over the globe' So far he says Bermuda is his favorite place. It's an extraordinary life, and one that requires Khadjesari to live away from his tamily most of the year. The requirements of belonging to the Choir are demanding. All boys attend bqarding school where they cram ten months worth of studying into six or'teven months' time' This allows thenr the rest of the year to go on singing tours. There are actually fbur groups of about 25 boys each that make up the Vienna Boys' Choir. At any given time two or three of the groups are on tour; at least one must remain in Vienna to sing ht the Sunday Mass in the Hofburg Chapel. That is where the very first Boys' Choir was created to perform 500 years ago by Emperor Maxinlilian I. Khadjesari will tour Central America and sing at Carnegie Hall this year. He'll continue with the choir as long as his boyish voice holds out'

CALL HIM DR. 'J' Recent polls have listed journalists beneath lawyers and used car salesmen when it comes to trustworthiness. It's a troubling image to those in the business, and a trend journalism schools around the country are working to change. Dr. Nishan Havandjian is among those striving to improve public faith in the profession by sending better trained journalism graduates out into the world. Since I 990, Havandjian has been head of the journalism department

at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, the school better known as Cal Poly. Havandjian has taught there since 1980, helping shape the skills and ethics of scores of students, many of whom have gone on to award-winning careers.

journalism as a profession gain more public approval, Havandjian would also like to see morc Armenians enter the field. "lt's a tailor-made major for Armenians," Havandjian said, "we have linguistic facility, and we have passion. Journalists have to be passionate about their craft and the world around thent."

While he would like to

see

Havandjian and his wife and son enjoy living on the Central Coast, but often drive to Glendale or the Valley to attend church on weekends. He says the music brings him back to his roots' "An untbrgettable experience which invariably brings tears to one's eyes," he notes.

Havandjian was born in Aleppo, Sylia, where he lived until graduating from Terra Santa College. He received his B.A' in English from Haigazian University in Beirut, his M.A. from Henry W. Grady School of Journalism in Athens, Georgia, and his Ph.D. in lnternational Communication from the University of Texas in Austin.

AIM JUNE

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http://www. geocities.com./Paris/LeftB ank/6506/echmi atsin 1 .html What is it called? The Holy City of Echmiatsin. What you'll find: Quite extensive coverage on the pre-history of Echmiatsin, the establishment, the Golden Age of Armenian literature, the period under Moslem rule and, later, soviet atheism. There is more on Echmiatsin as symbol of Armenian endurance, and part of Armenian independence. There is also a nice link to the history ofthe city ofAni and its churches. Upside: Very appealing and comprehensive. Downside: The opening of the sponsor window at every tum of the page is inappropriate for a non-commercial web page. There are other free servers who would not impose such a demand. The authors: Gevork and Sarkis Nazaryan

o! sr,

El Echidrh ud god,l

Aufinltlf

What is it called? Armenian Historical Sources of the 5-15th Centuries, Selected What is it called? Vartanik Home Page Where you'll lind it; http ://www.vartanik,com/ What you'll find:You can hear or read many of the well-known jokes about Vartanik, the ingenious, per-

Works.

Where you'll find it: http://www. virtualscape.com/rbedrosian/hsrces.html http ://www.virtualscape.com/rbedrosian/Selwrit.html

ceptive kid from Yerevan. The Webmaster's mission is to "give you a fun time" and considers the site " the

What you'll find: A collection of historical accounts from 5th to 15th centuries.

fastest growing Armenian joke site'" Upside: A faidy good effort of collecting all the jokes and categorizing them. Downside: Improvements in spelling and grammar are

These are all translations from the classical Armenian into English.

These include historical treasures such

P'awstos

Buzant's History

the

Armenians, Sebeos' History

t r.ffiw

and other non-Armenian lr.l$lei documents on Armenians from Greek Mythology, * Indo-Iranian Mythology, g

necessary to make the collection truly enjoyable'

20Jul-199?

1134 25K Atislrkts'Fstqv

20-Jul-1997

11:45 29& Atistaks'E

The author: Unknown. The email address is: webmaster@vartanik.com

torv

Eastern Asia Minor and the

Caucasus,

Sumerian a Gilgamesh, Hunian Mythology, Aratta *.,490&

Mythology,

23.lpr-1998 1741

2?f frirt&c!' Eit4tt

30-M{-199? 10:33 16K AppodirA

g:,

etc.

*IeebE

o?-l$,le,

-shulnrttlW

1?50 15& AePodkB

Upside: An outstanding, valuable resource for historians, researchers, graduate students and the generally curious. Downside: The organization of the web pages needs to be user

friendly.

less somber presentation would give

a better first

impression.

The author: Robert Bedrossian is a Ph.D. Columbia University.

in History from

AIM JUNE

1998

THESE ARE REAL LETTERS TO REAL PEOPLE. SEND US YOURS. Dear Me,

I'm writing this

I remember when I

get

back home. Remember Christmas caroling, Lyovi, Tanya, going flower picking, school kids, Christmas and pancakes with peace corps volunteers.

Remember P waited. Remember the balcony and the view and the pregnant cat and the orchard and harvesting potatoes.

Remember

who asked me to send "diabetic medicine" to them. As far as I know this is their only medicine even though "our" money was able to buy a blood sugar testing kit for one of them. She uses the lancets over and over and I think we bought enough strips to last until the year 2000.

Sugar is used in massive doses-those communists know how to make wonderful pastries, and tea with sugar usually is like sugar with a little tea in it. Also I send hearing

M's Valentine and D's

landlady and a hundred other stories. I hope you wrote them down. May this not be like the letter to yourself at 24. Write. Remember the disinterested kindness of so many: K, J, R, Z, and your

Armenian neighbors and colleagues. Remember the people so like their houses and apartments-grim on the outside, shiny and clean and warm on the

inside. It's hard

here and frusrating.

Remember that, too, and don't suffrrse

everything with a rosy glow.

Happy Holidays: Buddha's Birthday, Hannukah, Jesus'Birthday, New Years, (and whatever else you celebrate)

was good to be home but

miss

Armenia, the people, the lack of electricity, water, heat and everything that goes with it more than I can say. I worry all the time that the school kids are eating, whether the office is

warm enough and knowing full well that the school kids are not eating and the people in the

office are freezingl,

am doing some work

here from a business standpoint and sending a few things to some friends on a regular basis; mdinly Sweet and Low to two diabetic friends

aid batteries on a regular basis to two men for whom we got the hearing aids. They can't buy the batteries there and without them the aids

are useless. At one time from Germany, I think, there were rechargeable hearing aid batteries but I can't seem to find them now. Do any of you know anything about them? I welcome any information about that as it would help the people a lot if they could recharge those batteries. They run about $1 each and one battery lasts about two weeks only. Our'trust fund'inArmenia is still at work. The man managing it was in the US in October* and gave me an accounting of it. I think all is well as I trust him "almost" 100 percent. Those raised in the Communist sys-

AIM, JUNE

1998

tem think differently than those of us raised in a capitalist economy. I have to have a lot of trust and hopefully all of you who contributed money have trust also. I can tell you this with assurance: that money made in donations to the many funds that you have all received requests for this holiday season is not spent

with as much thought and consideration as those moneys spent in direct contact. One thing I have learned in my short stint abroad is not to believe that those funds (including USAID money which in Armenia is about $90 million a year) is all being spent for the good of the Armenian people! If it was, the entire country could have been rebuilt three times over. Those agencies are lucrativejobs for Americans, many of whom are not too qualified to manage such large sums nor have the interest of the people they serve as their first and primary interest. I doubt if I will ever give donations again to any of the large organizations. Good tax write-offs but not too much else from my point of view. Yes they do some good and I saw projects get done that wouldn't otherwise. But it takes $5 million to get half a million out and working. If there was a better way to do it, I suppose it would be done. Love,

L *He was sent by the US Department of Agriculture to visit four US cities and attend some trade shows that the USDA thought would be helpful to his projects in Armenia. One of the cities was Las Vegas. I told him not to go back and tell the people that Las Vegas was America as there isn't much about that city that relates to any other city in our country. But it was fun showing him and the four other Armenians what that

city is all about.

UN DEREXP o SED Diana, Princess Of WalgS,

died lastAugust; the world has-

n't stopped mourning and memorializing. Stamps are traditionally a way to honor the famous and

hsAN

oalm*,!{tv $ux

!A%m-Dlsa trst.twr

deceased, and Lady Diana is no exception.

Collectors around the world have a choice from among 90 countries which have issued Lady stamps. The United Kingdom printed 1.4

million

sets

of five stamps featuring the late Princess in both

formal and informal poses, with no inscription except her name and birth and death

dates.

Armenia ItE

DlAtA ?RtE(' \l tll itll l\ rinlrd B,fk{ hrn! *,^.< '&

issued 50,000 sets this spring. So did Azerbaijan.

++#r'

&es it ttkc tu make a book a gI? ro, P*t* nalakian, it'll take sellins ano*pr:50,000 copies pf tsla,ck Dog of Fate. The book

b***t

tells the story of the author's discovery ofhis roots and his

&nily's e*p"rience during ffiIllif|a

the Genocii*$, 'oq the reader

who's not familiar wittr ths stsr'trr f'fhs"Am r$is.ns,

DEREXPOSED Musical Uision What the Soviet Union did well was support the arts. Armenians are proud of their own participation in and contribution to the arts. All Armenians, including those who are blind. The Armenian Choir of the Blind, one of the few of its kind in the world, was established in 1976 by composer Simon Hovannissian.

In 1978, he added

an ensemble

folk instrumentalists to the group, and together the musicians number nearly 70 today. They are all professionals, all unpaid, and all dedicated

to their art. They practice in several rooms of the building owned by Armenia's Association of the Blind on Isahakian Street. They have no source of income and are therefore unable to participate internationally as they used to do. Not only did they participate, they won! In 1991, in an international competition in Minsk, Belarus, they came in third place. Today, their only source of income is donations. The newly-formed Maryland-based non-profit Organization of Armenian Women of America has begun fundraising for this group whose repertoire includes works by Russian, European and Armenian composers. Hovannissian says they look forward to the day when they may be able to set up a small technical or language school. and use the proceeds fo..ala.i"s, whi.t haven't been paid since 1995.

z z I o U

Ygfgyan's Summel haS begufl. If

the roller skaters in opera Square weren't sufficient clues, rhen the advenr

of fresh willow blossoms makes it official.

AIM, JUNE

1998

ESSAY Karena Avedissian

That's All, Folks "Chem oozoom desnemt" She waddled out of her yard across the road to her friend and yelled again, "I don't want to see it, close the doot I don't want to hear it." I followed her out, shutting the gate behind me. I couldn't believe that a woman hardened by such a long, difficult, villager's life could actually feel squeamish about the whole thing. I had been excited about it up to that point, but unsettled by her reaction, I decided to wait with her until the deed was done. When the telephone had rung that moming, I heard Gago at the other end. He said simply, "'We're slaughtering a pig in five minutes, so whoever wants to see it, come now." Click. I woke Doug up from his nap because I was sure he wouldn't want to miss it. As Doug and I were walking up the road, I asked him if he'd ever seen a pig slaughtered before. "No, actually, I haven't," he replied. "Well," I said, "it can't be much

different from a sheep slaughtering." Having seen at least half a dozen sheep meet their maker, I wasn't worried at all. As we neared the house, it became obvious that a crowd had gathered. Doctor Sarmen, Nvair, the village MaYor Varuj, as well as their children. All in all, there were about 12 kids and seven adults, not including Gago's family of slx.

My first clue that this would be more than I had bargained for was when the doctor's brother Siamanto walked in with rubber boots uP to his knees and a knife in his hand.

Next, enter Gago with the

same.

massive attitude. It snorted as it was pulled out of its pen. But when they tied it hind legs together, that's when it really got vocal. Gago's mother, an

aging woman with contrastingly youthful green eyes, looked at the pig, seemingly just realizing what was going on and took off, waving her hands in the air saying, "Chem

don't want to see this!"

with Gago's mother until it was all over; then I ventured in. Oh naivete! I'm almost embarrassed to say I expected a death somewhat like that of the gentle sheep who doesn't fight back, but only makes I

stayed outside the front gate

sort of breathing noises. While I was busy chickening out, this is what Doug told me I missed: After they tied the hind legs together, Siamanto took the blunt side of an axe to the back of the pig's head. It became paralyzed while thrusting its two front feet in front of it. Then Siamanto got out

half decapitated, flopping around spewing blood every which way. Doug and I stood there watching, verY pale and very quiet. The kids were laughing, shouting and mimicking the pig's jerks and movements, and generally having the time of their lives. Everyone standing within 15 feet had blood on them-those rubber boots weren't for nothing. As the pig started dying, so did the ruckus. Gago walked over to the pig with his knife to release the ties and start the cleaning. The pig kicked up unexpectedly and knocked Gago's hand causing him to slash his own left hand. Gago never showed pain, but he was showing it now. I went over and looked at the cut. It was very deeP, but his hands were already so bloody, I couldn't tell what was his own blood and what was the pig's. I told Gago to wait, I ran out the front gate Past his mother (who was still sitting there talking to a friend) down the road to the house, got my iodine paste and a couPle of bandages, and then ran back to Gago's house. He refused to clean the wound himself, preferring to have me do it. t had realized that Gago told i me to do a great manY other very

challenging things on purposefrom telling me, a vegetarian at the

Hmm... They then brought out the pig. It was a massive female, with an equally

oozoom desnem.

his knife, and with everyone's attention riveted on him and the pig, he sliced. Kef starts here. I couldn't have walked in at a better time. I'd never seen so much blood. That pig was screaming-not squealing,

time, to hold up the still-warm legs of freshly killed sheep while he cleaned it, to making me eat as many chili peppers as I could without drinking anything. He liked testing my limits and strength, because after all, I was his favorite in the group, and he told his friends about his American protege. After I finished cleaning his wound, Gago finished slicing the meat. That's it, it was over. I turned and told Doug there was no way I could ever eat that meat. But of course I did, and it was the best tasting meat I'd a

ever had. Karena Avedissian, an AIM intern, spent the summer of 1997 in Armenia as a Innd and Culture Organization volunteer.

AIM, JUNE 1998

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