Great Expectations - September 1998 by Armenian International Magazine

SEPTEMBER 1998

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/\INI

vol.9,

SEPTEMBER 1998

NO. 8

DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor's Note 7 Letters to the Editor 9 View 12 Notebook 13 Bytes on File

44 58 59 50 62

faces Other People's Mail Cyberpages Underexposed Essay

NATION

Cover Story

President Kocharian's First Months

The new president's first six months are almost over and there haven't been any miracles or revolutions. lnstead, change comes slowly.

UAF's 100th

airlift

The Llncy Foundation made possible the establishment of the United Armenian Fund nearly nine years ago. Since then $235 million in aid has been sent to Armenia.

ECONOMY The new president regularly meets with members of the public and civic groups.

From Fashions

What's New at the Airport?

Food

The Nushikian Association is one of Yerevan's top business firms. Two foreign carriers and a new French airbus are the most visible changes in Armenian civil aviation.

REGION

38 Oilins the Electoral Machine

Azerbaijan'ipresidential elections hold no surprises: Haidar Aliyev will

win, but what will that mean?

CONNECTIONS

The Once and Future Republic

EXPO'98

Eefore September 21 , there was May 28. This year, Armenia celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first Armenian republic. Professor Richard Hovannisian's oeuvre chronicles that republic's two and a half years.

The 2oth century's last world's fair features a catchy Armenian pavilion. Stepanakert has a diamond polishing plant set up by the combined efforts of Karabakh, Armenia and

the Diaspora.

ARTS

Relative Value

Building Dreams

Sister and brother Anita and Vahan Khanzadians excel in the arts.

Architect Vano Haritunians built Frank Cehry's Cuggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

lazz in Armenia

America's indigenous art is hot in Yerevan's cafes.

56 Art is lmmortal

Madame Yelena Avedisian trained generations of lranians and Armenians in the art of the dance. COVER PHOTO BY MARTIN SHAHBAZIAN/ARMENPRESS;

Carrie Nahabedian's signature dish at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills features tuna and salmon.

DESIGN BY SQUARE ONE

AIM (ISSN 1O5O-3471) k published monthly, $45 per yeat by The Fourth Mille.nium Society, 207 South Brand Eouleved, Suite PeriodicahPostagepaidatClendale,CAandaddi' 2O3,Glendale,CA9l2O4;Phone:(818)245-7979,Fax:(818)245-0088. tional mailint offices. Canada Post Publications Mail Product Sales Atreement No.0516457. @ Copyrisht 1998 by The Fourth Millennium Society. All rights reserued. AIM may not be reproduced in any mannet either in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher The editors are not responsible tor unsolicited manuscripts or art unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed, opinions expressed in signed afticles do not ne.essrily represent the views of The Fourth Millennium Society. Foradveftisintqueriescall:1-818-246-T9T9.Subscriptionratesforl2issues,US:$45,Foreign:$55.Poilmastersi Send address chantes to AlM, P.O. 8ox 3296, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, U.S.A.

EnrroR's Norr

Broadenirg the View AIM's first interview with Armenian President Robert Kocharian is includfirst half year in office. (See AIM, December 1994 for an interview with Kocharian, the president of Karabakh.) This issue also inaugurates a new section entitled Region, where articles about Armenia's volatile neighborhood will be regularly offered to provide context for a better understanding of events in and around the Armenian Republic. This article by Ltz Fuller, head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Caucasus desk has been written exclusively fbr AIM. This is, of course, true of all AIM articles, but in this case, we thought it merited special attention.Look for more such pieces in the months ahead as Liz visits Baku and John Hughes visits Tbilisi. ed in this issue which looks at the President's

Your wonderful responses to the last several issues of the magazine have been gratefully received and all comments duly noted. Besides all the good words and accolades, the one request repeated by readers most frequently is that

we become more consistent when

comes

to captioning our photos.

promise to be more diligent! AIM's photo collection numbers in the tens of thousands. And counting. We receive a minimum of 500 new photos each month-some electronically, some as slides and prints. Most come from other corners of the world"from Armineh Johannes and Antoine Agoudjian in Paris, Edmond Terakopian in London, from Zaven Khachikian, Mkhitar Khachatrian and Rouben Mangasarian-and the huge Armenpress archive-in Yerevan, Harry Koundakjian, Garo Lachinian and Berge Ara Zobian in the Eastern US, Gina Taro and Ara Oshagan here in California. Years ago, Joseph and Joyce Stein had made a contribution specifically for the purpose of indexing this huge treasure. That work has begun. We are looking for a few good interns to continue this

precise-and engaging-task. This year, the Mesrobian Alumni Association made a contribution specifically to encourage access to AIM's unique photo and print archives to Mesrobian School students and teachers. AIM invites other organizations to consider ways to benefit from this immense resource. In the meanwhile, we will try to be as faithful about identifying the content ofthe photos as we have been about identifying their authors. That means Parik Nazarian (AIM's one-man indexing system) will have to make middle-of-thenight calls even more otten to get additional details about some of the less obvious images. We will certainly try. Let us know how we do.

/\INIffi;-: Armenian lnternational Magazine 207 South Brand Blvd. Suite 203 clendale, CA 91204, USA fel 818 2457979 Fax: 818 246 0088 E-mail: aim4m@well.com EDITOR.PUBLISHER

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CONTRIBUTORS Artashes Enrr. lohn Hughe5, Yerevan: Susar Patrie. London: Ard ChoJl-idn, Hrdg Valabedian, Los An8eles; janet Samueian, Palm SprinBs: Mark Malkasian, Rhode tsland:6eorge Eournoutian, Lola KoLndakjian, New York; My'iam Gaume. Paris: Moorad Mooradran, Washrngton, DC: Varlan Matiossian. Buenos A res. PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mkhira' Khacharran, Zaven Khachikiar, Rouben Mangasanan, Yerevan: A|ne Manoukiar. Arnineh lohannes, Pdri!: Edmond Terakopiani London: Karire Armen. Kevork D,alsezian, Raff. ELmekli. En( Nazar.a1. A'a Oshagan, Lo5 Argeles. Caro Lachinian. Maryland: Ardem Aslaniaa. New Jersey: Harry Koundaljian, New York: Ber8e Ara Zobian, Rhode lsland.

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Minas Koiaian INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES ARCENTtNAColeSroMekh,tansta.Vr(eydelPrno35l (1426lBueno!Atres.Pi"one54l 552 3690 . CANADA: Razmrg Hakrmian. 6595 Henn Bouras5a Welt. Monredl. PQ, H4R 2F1, Phone 5ld 339 2517. LJNITED AMB EMIMTEs: sebouh Armenagian, PO. 8ox 3000. shalah. UAE, Phone 971 6 33 1 351. G-lizar loaran PO. 80{ 44564. Abu Dhabi. UAE, Phone 97I 2 775 721, Iax 97 1 2 775 91 . UNITED KINGDOM Misak Ohanran.

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WRITE TO

AIM!

We welcome all communication. Although we read all letters and submlssions, we are unable to acknowledge everything we receive due to limited staffin6 and resources. Lette6 to the Editor may be edited for publication.

AIM

SEPTEMBER I998

S readers who do not live in the USA. Could you give the ages of pupils rather than say fifth grader? Outside the US, we have little idea what this

those of the other. There is no genuine acceptance of these realities. Officially, we seem to be living in a state of denial regarding these questions, preferring to unjustifiably label those who raise such vital issues as "troublemakers" or giving them a condescending, "You don't understand." Such is done, tragically, to the ultimate detriment of the Armenian Church. What seems to come through quite clearly is that currently, and certainly in the recent past, the Armenian Church is viewed more in nationalistic or ethnic terms than it is in Christian or religious

Because of a very hectic schedule,

just got around to reading the June, 1998, issue of AIM. The lead article dealing with the l00th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Church here in

North America written by Hratch I first knew him,

Tchilingirian, or as

Deacon Hratch, was most informative. The article was informative just as much for what it didn't say as for what it

did say. For example, the emphasis throughout was on money, funds, bylaws. and what can best be described

dren?

V Shahbazian Middlesex, England In the July issue, I read with great interest articles by writers lrom various countries. ott relations with the Diaspora (Cover story, July r

998).

It seems to me that the downfall of Levon Ter Petrossian resulted to a great extent from his unaccountable stance toward Karabakh. He

casts.

of the Diaspora are the the reconstruction of their homeland, whether the assistance is financial aid, specialized services, physical presence in the country or otherwise. For this purpose we have to encourage more people in the Diaspora;

gradually lost his popularity due to the lack of contact with the people inside the Republic of

Armenia and outside, in the Diaspora, not to mention the other causes-for instance the flawed presidential elections of 1996.

The Armenians

Further, if the Christian or religious perception were in tact dominant, there would be no language problem as there now is. Rather, the emphasis would be on the most effective way(s) to proclaim the Christian message rather than on considerations of ethnic preservation. As one considers this dual allegiance of the Armenian Church. one must also

of our Lord

administrative information. Such, of

consider the words

Christ: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the first and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second." [Matthew 6:24]. Professor Hagop Nersoyan's closing comment is certainly right on target. He

greatest resource

Armenian Church to look upon itself as a

church for the

world. It is primarily

In the past years, some people in the Diaspora had been thinking of coming to Armenia only after there would be sufficient electricity, heat, water, security, etc.

Now, fortunately, these problems do not exist any more. So, the hesitant should make some decisions.

Nevertheless, there is the other side of the coin. In my opinion substantial change should be made in the mentality, approach and treatment of the local people in he Republic of Armenia toward their compatriots who arrive from the Diaspora.

missionary to its own people, but it is also a missionary to the world through means of its own." Fr. Vartan Kasparian via e-mail

Also, based upon Diocesan figures in the Western Diocese. there is a community impact of something less than one percent. This means that in terms of mem-

ciate

bership involvement, the Church is reaching less that one percent of the people it claims are out there. Perhaps the trend has changed, but the above was certainly true until fairly recently.

the latest issue and this prompts me to ask if we could have more information on the

Let me first say how much I appreAIM. I have been a subscriber since, I believe, the beginning and always look forward to the next edition. In particular, I was interested in the business details in

economy

of Armenia and Artsakh. In

view of the blockade, how do exports leave the country? What in fact are the

principal products

Armenia

Artsakh and where do they go? Secondly, a plea for those

AIM

SEPTEMBER1998

and

of your

Aghabegians

wrote, "love Armenia, come to Armenia".

.the time has come for the

says:

Education, outreach, church attendance and so forth. As an example, here in the Westem Diocese, we have been dealing with the rather strange phenomenon of establishing new parishes along with a

as my son's good friend Vahe

Jesus

Organization membership, Christian

Additionally, there is little, if any, effective way of dealing with the reality that subsequent generations of ArmenianAmericans are not their first generation immigrant parents. The perceptions and needs of the one are not identical with

Finally, I cannot help asking: Do you over there give birth only to kids and never to chil-

terms. For example, if the Christian or religious perspective dominated, a divided Church with functionally warring major Sees would be inconceivable. The thought of splitting the Armenian Church, as a part of the body of Christ, as has in fact been done, would be so abhorrent as to properly rcnder its perpetrators out-

course, is simply a mirroring of the kinds of information that is generally presented in the various Diocesan reports, both from the Eastern and Western Dioceses. There was no mention of membership figures, Armenian Church Youth

declining total Diocesan membership.

means.

After seven trips to the Republic of I have felt that a good number of inhabitants look at the arriving Diaspora

Armenia,

Armenians as " the tourists who have come to surprise people with the dollars in their pockets." I have seen that when you try to explain new developments in the scientific, technical or professional fields (such as mine which is the legal profession), very often you hear "we know all this". I have observed that they dislike most when you try to advise them on the art of governance of their own affairs. But, presumably this is human, since I would dislike it, too, if someone tried to advise me how to better manage my own family. Albert Bernardi Tbhran, Iran

The Founh Millennium Society is an independently funded and administered

public charity committed to the disseminalion of intbrmation lbr the purpose of developing an infornred public. Underpinning all our work is the firm conviction thal

the vitality

esting for the wide range of topics it covered. I was specifically interested in the article entitled "Bicoastal Gurus of the Art World," as I found it very relevant to my field of study which is architecture. I would very much like to get in touch with George Beylerian as I find his work very interesting

of an

independent press

Armeuia and democmlic instilutions

I found the last issue of AIM very inter-

is lundamental b a democratic society

in the

Society publishes Annenian Inrernational Magazine in its ellbrt to contribute

10 rhe

to the Benefactors, Trustees, Patrons

national rlialoguc. The directors ure grateful

{trd Fricnds ol lhe Fourlh Millenniurl Society who arc commited m thc well-being,

TIIE

FOURTH MILTENNIUM SOCIBIY, Inc.

growlh and developntent of ArnteniaDs and Arnrenia through the prornotitx ol open discussion and the

liee flow of intbrmation among individuals and orgunizalions.

Their tlnanci!l conlributionr support the work of the Fourth Millenniuur Society and

ofAIM-

ensurc lhe independence

Michael Nahabet, Raffi Zinzalian. Directors.

Taleen Sebouh Tashjian Sydney,

Australia DIRECTORS'98

CORRECTIONS:

Shahen Hairapetian, Armen Hampar, Zaven Khanjian, Michael Nahabet,

Mihran Agbabian shouW have been identified as President Emeritus of the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. (Cover story,

July

Alex Sarkissian, Bob Shamlian, Jivan Tabibian, Raffi Zinzalian. BENEFACTORS Sarkis Acopian,

Hirair Hovnanian, The Lincy Foundation, Louise Manoogian Simone

1998). SENIOR TRUSTEES

The photo of Arminae Azarian (below) was left out in the story on the

AUSTRALIA: Heros & Kate Dilanchian; CALIFORNIa: Khachig George

voice of Fa Li, in Di.sney's Mulan.

Babayan,

& Flora Dunaians, George & Grace Kay, Joe & Joyce Stein;

CANADA: Razmig Hakimian, Kourken Sarkissian; hong kong: Jack Maxian FOUNDING TRUSTEES

AUSTRALIA: Varoojan lskenderian: CALIFORNIa: Caren Avedikian, Mardo Kaprielian, Edward Misserlian, Bob Moveli, Varoujan Nahabet, Norair Oskanian, Emmy Papazian, Zareh Sarkissian, Raifi Zinzalianl l'lorida: Hagop Koushakjian

pcnnsylvania: Zarouhi Mardikian ASSOCIATE TRUSTEES

Araxie M. Haroutinian, Ralph and Savey Tuf'enkian PATRONS

AUSTRALIA Derderian and Vanouhi Tavoukjian Artin Etmekjian

Arman and Nairi George

CALIFORNIA Walter and Laurel

CALIFORNIA Agbabian Garabed Akpolat Armand and Nancy Arabian Vartkes and Jean Barsam Hany and Alvan Barseghian Berj and Hera Boyajian Hagop and Violet Dakessian Ardash and Marian Derderian Dimitri and Tamara Dimitri Steve and Lucille Estephanian Manoushag Fermanian Gagik and Knar Galslian Vahan and Audrey Gregor Pierre and Alice Haig Armen and Gloria'i Hampar Arpiar and Hermine Janoyan

Mihran and Elizabeth

the story on prisons in Armenia,

Karekin

member

July

1998) Catholicos

was incorrectly identified as a

of the board of the Prison

Fellowship's Armenia-based IPES orga-

nization. It is Archbishop Karekin

Nersessian who is a member board, and not the Catholicos.

AIM regrets the eruors.

Subscribe to

that

/\INI 8

(cont.) Karabian

CANADA Migirdic

Kevork and Satenig Karajerjian Nishant and Sona Kazazian John and Rose

(Connections,

Gry

and Ani Migirdicyan

CYPRUS

Ketchoyan

Garo Keheyan

and Sossi Kevorkian

Khanjian Krikorian

Zaven and Sona

ITALY

Krikor

Krikor and Harout lstanbulian

Dora Serviarian Kuhn

Avik

Mahdesian Markarian

Lebanon

Stepan and Erdjanik

Kevork Bouladian

Harout and Rita Mesrobian

Mgrdichian Navasargian and Cindy Norian

Jasmine

MICHIGAN

Edward and Alice

George Chamchikian

Kenneth

AIex Manoogianf

Rall Ourfalian

Piranian Sarkissian

Michael and Hermine

Alex

NEVADA Larry and Seda Barncs

Robert and Helen Shamlian

Taglyan Tavitian and Dzovig Zeitlian

Petros and Garine

NEW YORK

Ara and Avedis

Harry and Aida Koundakjian

Gaidzag

Vahe Nishanianf

FRIENDS OF AIM The Fourth Millennium Society is grateful to the following fbr contributing during the last month to help secure AIM's flnancial future.

CALIFORNIA: The Mesrobian AIumni Association

AIM

Diaspora. The Fourth Millennium

SEPTEMBER I998

What's the Spin?

hose around the world who are watching Azerbaijan's October I I elections are doing so not because they want to see who will come out on top. There is no doubt that President Gaidar Aliyev will be reelected. If Aliyev wins with a large margin, as is expected, regardless of the methods used to get those votes, how will he (and the rest of the world) read this mandate? Will Aliyev see it as a reward for having kept the country out of war these last four years? Will Aliyev instead take the vote as affirmation of his hard-nosed, uncompromising position regarding the future status of Karabakh? Indeed, why will people vote for him? Will it be because they are counting on (actually, hoping for) some of the oil wealth to reach them and make a change in their lifestyle? Will the vote for Aliyev be in exchange for a restatement of national pride? Whatever the vote and its explanation, the fact remains that

with no major opposition candidates participating in the elections (See page 38) the entire event will be merely a show with Aliyev in a starring role. Nevertheless, Aliyev will use the fact of the election to reinforce whatever spin he wants to put on the results. Doubtless, so will the rest of the world. Americans are already saying, "It is ... regrettable that major Azerbaijani opposition parties have not found it possible to take part in the election." This almost makes it sound as if they couldn't find a car to take them there, or paper on which to print their campaign platforms. If there is to be stability in the region (for no other reason than for the oil to flow) the oil companies and their governments will have to find ways to move Aliyev away from authoritarian rule towards a participatory democracy. Otherwise, the people will find other ways to express their will. That won't be good for peace, or oil.

Iake A Flying Leap Forwatd

n intemational airport---+specially in a country with only one-is a nation's calling card. It is a visitor's first and last impression. It can be a "Welcome" mat or a "Do Not Disturb" sign. Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport is somewhere in between. Many improvements have been made. (As recently as five years ago

cows grazed between runways.) Many more are needed (See page 27). Although change is inevitable, it will not come easy. Before harping on the unpleasant, the obvious must be said. Armenian Airlines and the Zvartnots Airport (two distinct entities within Armenia's Civil Aviation Administration) have succeeded in the critical areas which count most. Two foreign carriers fly into Zvartnots. Armenian Airlines has acquired its first

One can't help but wonder then why the (comparatively) lesser problems can't be resolved,

if the larger

issues have been.

it is precisely because of the airport's and airline's successes that today's problems are even more frustrating. In fact,

Infuriating, too. If the thinking in most other Yerevan storefronts is ':Let the customer fend for himself," Civil Aviation can't think so. The government can't let it. Civil Aviation's customers aren't just the

resources and (a source of immense pride) without the government's financial guarantees. Flights are frequent and on time. And (at the risk of tempting fate) there have been no serious security or safety problems even in the worst icy winters, even

businessmen and the tourists. They are also every diplomat and representative of every international agency with any interest in or assistance for Armenia and Armenians. The World Bank representative who is hassled about his legitimately extended visa, or the social worker accompanying a mentally ill patient whose medication is confiscated are not likely to leave with a charitable attitude. To enter the Zvaftnots terminal is to begin a process that can take hours and involve standing in lines behind booths and counters whose purposes are not so much as explained with a sign.

before the runways were renovated and new lights installed. Given the age of the equipment and the condition of the rest of the airport's services, thanking God would not be going too far.

years ago, it's not better enough. A typical exchange begins with handing one official a docu-

Western aircraft completely relying

on its own

economic

Although it's true that the situation was even worse four, five

AIM AUGUST I998

ment while three or four others simply stand by. Or, an official might disappear with no explanation of where he is going, taking with him the uninformed traveler's vital documents. Customs forms are still randomly scattered about on tables or ledges with no direction of how many copies are required (each family must fill out two) nor to whom they should be presented. Maybe it is a clever means by which to acclimate foreigners to this country where much gets done by word of mouth. After you wait (sometimes for hours) fbr luggage, it is Customs time, where any number of things can happen. For example: On a recent trip an agent searching the luggage of an American tourist kept, without asking, a stuffed animal, presumably to take home to a child. Another time, as doctors rep-

resenting

a US humanitarian

organization brought

lens

implants for eye surgeries, agents, over the strong objections of

the doctors, began cutting open the sterilized containers, spoil-

ing expensive and essential medicines for which there is no replacement in Armenia. Or, seeing the new Green "Nothing to Declare" Line, a visi-

tor begins to walk through only to be stopped by an official who says that everything from a wristwatch to a wedding band must indeed be declared. So much for a green line.

To be fair, incidents such as these could happen at any airport. And, to be generous, a recent study by a European association of airport directors found Zvartnots to be the most secure of all airports in the CIS. Safety and security we have all come to take for granted (Thank God, again.) It is everything else that continues to be a source of frustration. Does anyone care?

Who 0wns lhe Words and the Music?

etting news (in context) from Armenia has gotten no easier over the years. There is quite a bit that never leaves Yerevan, in spite of the existence of a half dozen local and various international news services. Yet, quite a bit of news does reach us, and sometimes, some of it leaves us dumbfounded. Consider these government decisions.

There is a law on the books according to which the words Armenia, Armenian, Republic and Republican car, only be used in an organization or business name in accordance with government regulations. According to these regulations, those non-governmental entities which use these words in their names must pay an annual fee of600,000 Dram (over $1000.) In licensing the words Armenia and Armenian, the government is stating that it owns the right to use these words. The absurdity of such a claim doesn't require much comment.

It is the thinking behind it that must

be examined. When asked

about this, President Kocharian explained that the motivation is to

protect the public from agencies and organizations which take on

official or govemmental. The intent may be good, but in the long run, it's much bet-

names that make them sound

ter to work on educating the public, rather than limiting the public's access to words which, certainly in this case, represent what this country is all about. And, unfortunately, charging a fee for using the word does not ensure that the public won't be misled. The problem is thinking that a decision from above will solve all problems below. It's that authoritarian mentality that

must be replaced

AIM

Another example; In August, Armenpress reported that the

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth forbade the performance of Rabiz-popular music with strong Turkish and Arabic influ-

ences-in any government-owned hall (See page 60). Since most performance spaces in Armenia are still government owned, the directive plainly intended to prevent public performances of the low-brow but very popular musicians. In response to AIM's questions, Ministry of Culture personnel re-interpreted the statement as an unofficial directive only to the State Opera Hall. However broadly (or narrowly) the ministry intends to throw its net in "cleaning up" culture and mini-

mizing the "bad effects" of such music on the population, this decision is still outlandish and laughable. The country's biggest selling performing artist is the (proud) embodiment of rabiz. That says something about the people's preferences and tastes. (It probably also says something about the marketing skills, showmanship and accessibility of other performers, but that's another story.) Imposing orders from above is not always the best solution. In some cases, it's no solution at all. In a few cases, it's simply asking for trouble. The sooner (this or any) government understands that they

can't-and shouldn't-legislate taste or culture or language, the more open (and healthy) Armenian society will become. The more open and credible Armenian government will become, too.

SEPTEMBER

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PAHTIAL DENTURES

Marriott is Coming

A Veteran Performer As actor Mike Connors

approaches

40 years in show business, he is showing no signs

of slowing down.

In fact he may

enjoying the best years of his career right now

at the age of

73.

Connors still has the voice and energy of his

younger years, and is

still in high

demand,

but he no longer feels

the pressure to

hang

out or to live

Hollywood with

the rest of the show biz crowd. Connors enjoys a quiet private

life at his country home in Lake Arrowhead. CA. He

only commutes to Los Angeles when he gets a job ofl'er that really appeals to him. Connors' latest project is the voice of a character called

"Chipocles" for the new Disney animated television

series

"Hercules." Originally, the people at Disney intended to include the character, who is a law enforcement officer, in only one or two of the 65 episodes. Disney's Manager of Publicity, Gary Mariano said when the young animators began working with Connors they were so impressed they decided to write more parts fbr his character. In addition to his Disney project, Connors has a role in a new

independent film called "Gideon's Webb," which is making its way

through

film festivals. Connors co-stars with Charlton

Heston,

Shirley Jones, Shelley Winters and Carroll O'Connor. He also makes regular appearances on the cable TV network "Nick at Nite" introducing reruns of his popular detective drama series "Mannix." It was the lead role in Mannix that eamed Connors the most notoriety as an actor. That series aired for eight seasons and earned Connors three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe award for Best Actor. It also made Connors a household name in America-ironic since Connors is a name he made up. As many people now know Connors was born Mike Ohanian. He was raised in Fresno, California, where his immigrant parents met and married. Connors grew up in a difficult time in Fresno when Armenians were often discriminated against. He recalls quite a few fights in the school yard defending his Armenian name. By the time he graduated from high school Connors had made a name for himself as an athlete.

After military service, Connors enrolled at UCLA and lettered in basketball. Interestingly he was "discovered" while on the basketball court by a Hollywood director watching the game. His first attempts at breaking into show business fell flat, so he continued to work toward a law degree. However fate would intervene and after one unfulfilling year in law school Connors landed his first role in a feature film. The rest, as they say, is history.

Yerevan's Hotel Armenia, one of the landmarks in Republic Square, was built in 1958. Designed by Yerevan's then-Chief Architect, Mark Grigorian, whose works include many of Yerevan's notable buildings, Armenia has been the country's premier hotel for international tourists. In the late 1980s, Armenia added a second wing and the number of rooms doubled to over 400. After independence, the older wing underwent a renovation. Still, with its several restaurants and bars, Armenia did not meet the standards of international tourists and businessmen.

When the govemment announced that the hotel would be among would be put up for intemational tender, no one was surprised. After months of negotiations, the deal was signed, finally, in August between the govemment of Armenia and AK Development of the US. AK Development had made it clear that Maniott International would handle hotel managethose large govemment-owned concerns which

ment. Beyond the reported $30 million purchase price, AK Development has indicated that it will spend up to an additional $22 million to carry out major renovations. Total number of rooms will

will increase. The Hotel is expected to be up and running as Marriott

decrease, but services and access

Armenia by the year 2001. The implications of such a development go beyond the tourism industry. Many businesses including airlines, jewelers and others have complained that without adequate intemational quality accommodations, businesses can't expect to bring in clients and staff.

By KRISTEII l(lltD

AIM

SEPTEMBER 1998

bytes on file Election

Patriarch Postponed

lndefinitely by Turkish Government

For almost five months now the Turkish state has refused to approve an election date permitting the 80,000-strong Armenian community, Turkey's largest Christian minority, to proceed with the election of the 84th hierarch of the 537-year old Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey. Since Patriarch Karekin II's death in early March (AIM AprilMay 1998), 45 representatives from 38 districts in Turkey have met at the Armenian Patriarchate and elected a 2l-member Electoral

Number of Armenians living in Japan

200 Number of Armenian churches in Turkey 33 Number of years since 1989 that Armenia's immigration-em igration balance has been negative 5

Committee responsible for organizing the elections.

An important task of the Committee is to negotiate with

the

Istanbul Govemor's Office for permission to hold church elections. The last two patriarchal elections in l96l and 1990 were carried out by the Patriarchal Elections Directorium, only after being ratified by the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1961. As the Electoral Committee started the organization of the election, an April 28 letter from the Istanbul Governor's Office ordered a halt in the church's plans until further notice and with no explanations' It has become obvious that the govemment's interference in the election process goes beyond setting procedures. Through various informal channels, the Armenian community has been informed that between the two eligible candidates the Turkish state prefers Archbishop Shahan Sivajian, 72, over charismatic and well-educated Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, 42. Meanwhile, a direct slander cam-

paign in the rightist Turkish media has been launched against Mutafyan, accusing him of anti-Turkish activities. ln one case, Mutafyan promptly filed and won a lawsuit for libel against Turkiye.. The paper still refuses to obey court orders to print a retraction. In May, Turkiye-owned TGRT television broadcast more allega-

Number of years since 1989 that Azerbaijan's immigration -emigration balance has been negative

9 Number of CIS countries besides Russia and Belarus with a positive immigration-emigration balance during the last 9 years 0 Number of Armenian men from Karabakh who died fighting for the Soviet Union in

World War ll 22,O00

tions against Mutafyan, claiming that the government was very con-

Number of Azerbaijanis who left Yerevan in 1988

cerned about his candidacy and preferred Sivajian as the new patriarch. In early August, Mutafyan was duly elected Locum Tenens and Acting Patriarch. However, the government refused to recognize Mutafyan and stated that under Turkish law the eldest and most senior cleric in line for patriarch-Sivajian-must fill the interim post until a

2,300

successor'is elected.

The Patriarchate protested the state's orders to no avail. Instead, the government retaliated with two more memos declaring Sivajian the only recognized interim leader and warning that any resistance to this decision would be prosecuted under the criminal codes.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry, mindful that state interference in church affairs will create a bad public image for Turkey abroad, reportedly opposes the unwarranted moves of the Interior Ministry. The rights of Christian minorities in Turkey are guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923. However, as Turkish commentator Sibel Utku writes, "Unfortunately, [the] provisions have been breached by Turkish authorities and have repeatedly put Turkey in a difficult position in the international arena." By HRATGH

TGHltlllclBlAll

Number of Armenian schools shut down in Baku during World War ll 76 Number of Armenians in Baku in the 1970s just when the Armenian theater, cultural center, television programming were closed

215,000 Number of nationalities residing in the Autonomous Republic of Dagestan in Russia (just north of Azerbaijan) 20 Number of professionally trained accountants needed in Armenia today

45,000

New York Times, Economist,Intemalional Orgmization for Migration, Armenia's Minister of Statislics, Gha-ra-bagh

o Pru$ooulu 0onolal ls $llo The Yerevan daily,Azg,called the murder

By JOHI{ HUGIIES

"the worst crime since the days

fn mid-July, during an interview with AIM, I Armenia's Prosecutor General Henrik

IKhachatrian

spoke about his investigations

into various cases of comrption.

The Prosecutor General was clearly aware of the weight of his office and of the severity of delivering indictments in highlevel places. We talked in general terms of the unenviable role he assumed since he took office

1997. Khachatrian opened the discussion

proudly claiming that crime

has

decreased in the Republic. "Armenia is unique in the CIS,;' he said, "in that it is stable. Murder has decreased and some major crimes have been solved. The crime rate is higher among Armenians in Los Angeles than among Armenians here, although, in Los Angeles, ttrey live in better conditions." He pointed to problems in neighboring countries, including Georgia where a representative of a foreign govemment had recenfly been murdered, as examples that all the CIS countries are in a tenuous period of adjustment.

the

Karabakh conflict." Media reports were that Khachatrian had

just retumed from a meeting with President Robert Kocharian and was said to be in good spirits when Karapetian entered his office. After a few minutes, two shots were heard. Authorities said all entries to Khachatrian's office were closed at the time and that no other parties were involved in the incident. Of course, in a country where conspiracy theories abound, there are those who believe in the theory of a third-party who pulled offboth the murder and the "suicide". The alleged killer was said to be a supporter of youth organizations and a gun collector. Others said he was arrogant, had access to money and cars at a time when few did, and was involved in shady activities which were perhaps being brought to the surface. For example, Karapetian had been the prosecutor in the Department of Transport for many years.

"We, too, are on the same road of progress," Khachatrian said. "The economic conditions bring new problems. But that doesn't make me as uncomfortable as the need to clean up the old dirt." Khachatian was asked if his convictions

goes to press several weeks later,

there are more questions than answers on the details of the murder/suicide as Yerevan is abuzz with rumors and speculation.

that there was no place for politics in the pursuit of law. "Which party has control is irrelevant," he said. "There is the law, and there is politics. I will do what I can to see that all polir ical considerations are removed." Which is panly why, upon assuming

the

"I don't believe in

revolution,"

Khachatrian said. "Nothing happens all at once. When they said 'Throw them all out and start fresh, I said no.'I believe that those who are professionals know how to work as

Khachaffian said more arrests were forthcoming and that he would be informing the media of his investigations' progress.

AIM

From the office that on August 6 became a crime scene, Khachatrian had said

Prosecutor's office since 1996.

owe it to the people."

unsubslantiated (as of this report) claims say that his killer was about to be hred from his position.

tions. Karapetian had worked

said. "You either do it or you don't. I don't see the middle road. It is our responsibility and we

hosecutorGeneral's office was that Khachafian had become a crime victim, shot to death in his office allegedly by a member of his staff, Aram Karapetian who then tumed the gun on himself.

Whether his ambition to "clean up the old

dirt" led to his death is a matter for speculation. Reasons for his death may be personal, as

the General Prosecutor's office, Khachatrian

"It is a matter of profession," he

himself

General. Another theory involves the recent questioning of former Yerevan Mayor and lnterior Minister Vano Siradeghian, following the arrest earlier this year of a group of former interior ministry officials on murder charges.

resisted the advice of associates that he should "clean house" and start with a staff that had no links to previous administra-

placed him in aposition that mightbe dangerous.

But onAugust 6 at 5 p.m. the news from the

arrest of three suspects, including Bishop Asoghik Aristakesian, a priest who was connected with allegations of embezzlement. A fourth suspect, Mavrik Avefissian, head of the Defense Department's Finance Department committed suicide an hour before he was to have fumed over records to the Prosecutor

professionals."

One of those retained from before Khachatrian's administration was Aram

1994. The newspa-

Karapetian, the last of those professionals by Henrik Khachatrian. Aware of the impact of such an event on a country's morale and image, President

a former Prosecutor General said that both Karapetian and

Darbinian in charge of monitoring the investi-

There, he had worked with Hambartsum Ghandilian, head of Armenia's rail system, who was shot and killed

per

Aravot

quoting

Ghandilian had seen much embezzlement and comrption. Other theories have to do with the highprofile cases Khachatrian's office was investigating. One involved the recent indictrnent and

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

seen

Kocharian

put Vice

President Armen

gation.

Yet, in a country where information is hard to come by under the best of circumstances, the scarcity of official information in this case is particularly disturbing. I

fion

Ihe new presidenl's lirst six months ale almost ouer and there hauen't been any miracles 0r reuolulions. lnstead, change Gomes slowly. By A. H. AtEXAl'lDRlAil and I01{Y HAtPIl{

T\espite the vocal predictions olpoliti! f cat opponents. rumors of President L-, Robert Kocharian's imminent demise distinctly premature as his administration completes its first 150 days in office. After the turmoil of last winter and the expecseemed

tations built up across the spring and summer, Armenia entered the autumn with the realization that it had a dull, entirely predictable government. There was disappointment. cynicism. occasional tragedy and the odd success. In other words. normal life had been resumed.

Kocharian himself had predicted "the

fall season in Armenia's history since 1988". Not for the first time, his level-

most stable

headed analysis proved nearer the mark than his opponents'. But, preferring political drama to plodding predictability, leading politicians lost little time in judging the honeymoon period as grounds tbr divorce. In fact, life for the vast bulk of the population remained much the same and, with one eye on the chaos in Russia,

they were grateful that their government

least had not made things any harder for them.

The economy, indeed, could be counted among the early successes of the new admin-

istration, with healthy economic growth of close to seven percent, inflation low to nonexistent, and the Dram continuing a steady

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

rate of exchange against the dollar. Exports rose 30 percent and the trade deficit shrank by nine percent.

If fbreign investors sought economic stability, they had it. The fruits could be seen in a series of high-profite. iI sometimes controver-

sial, privatizations and renewed

interest

among Diasporan Armenians in plowing serious sums of money into the country. At the same time, government machinery refused to move any more quickly than it had in the past,

and red tape continued to frustrate even the most dogged investor. While there were visible signs of prosperity in Yerevan for some, most of Armenia's peo-

o V

ple continued to live in poverty, a situation hardly likely to be relieved by a new govemment

promised to put on trial representatives of the

boring states as Armenia sought to

old regime considered to have looted

understanding of

within the space of a few months. Kocharian estimated it will take at least two more years of patient and persistent effort to achieve a noticeable improvement in living standards. Other domestic issues also counted some successes and some disappointments. Kocharian quickly restored the full range of political opinion in Armenia by lifting the

national wealth.

had backed Kocharian's rise

power had

former regime's ban on the

because of impending presidential elections in

ARFDashnaktsutiun. The party repaid him with

repeatedly stressed the legality of the succes-

solid support during the election campaign and ever since, though the level of influence exerted by the party on the new president remains

Baku. But Armenia's position of ruling out a return to Azerbaijani authority for the enclave and an insistence on direct talks between the parties without preconditions on the basis of equality is clearly understood by all sides. The visit by Prime Minister Armen Darbinian to Baku in September for the international Silk Road conference sponsored by the European Union will have been the first direct contact between the two stales since independence. It underlined Armenia's deter-

unclear. Certainly, leading ARF members are closer to the center of power than they were and the republic's more assertive foreign policy on national issues is more to their taste. On the olher hand. the parly apparatus is not enchanted with this new situation. With no direct institutional links to government, and without the former status of victim. the ARF has in some ways been made inelevant moie effectively than even in Ter Petrossian's days.

Kocharian also fulfilled an election promise when he formed a political council with representatives from various political wings. The reach and scope of this council is not clear. It can serve either to channel various political currents, or de-fang them. Kocharian fulfilled other election promises to establish committees for constitutional reform, human rights, and a review of local government. The principal complaint was the slowness with which these bodies carried out their work. Legal reforms started under the previous regime were continued, bringing into shape a three-stage judicial system of First Court, Appeals Court and the ultimate authority-Annulment court. The shocking assassination of Prosecutor General Henrik Khachatrian (see page 14) in his own office brought the question of rule of law into sharp focus for many. If the most senior legal officer in the country could be

the

Those who harbored hopes of seeing Kocharian denouncing his predecessor and launching criminal proceedings against leading members of the government have been disappointed. Only in revolutions do governments put former regimes on trial. Those who

sion in the face of those who had characterized

"velvet putsch". Many of the political forces backing the

as a

president were unhappy that the constitutional committee opted to amend the existing constitution rather than start again from scratch. Again, they labored under the belief that there had been a revolution instead of a normal transfer of power. There was some discontent too with the govemment Kocharian formed. Partly, this was founded in complaints that the administration was filled with young technocrats-led by Prime Minister Armen Darbinian-not affi liated to political parties and without real experience.

Others expressed unhappiness that too

many figures from the old government remained in positions of authority. They had expected a clean sweep from the new broom,

but Kocharian preferred to judge people by performance not past associations.

Kocharian's failure

dissolve the had suggested he was inclined to do during his campaign, has also disappointed his political supporters, the ARFDashnaktsutiun, in particular. They argued that the Assembly no longer reflected the real balpower in the country since many of ance the forces backing the president were not even National Assembly,

as he

of Armenia which many of

Kocharian's critics had warned would be the consequence of his election.

Negotiations with Azerbaijan over the of Karabakh remain frozen. not least

status

mination to assert its national interests and not

be left out of regional developments, despite continued Azeri attempts to exclude it. The administration also elaborated new principles governing its relations with Turkey where reciprocity was going to be the key. Despite a continued failure to establish relations with Armenia, President Suleiman Demirel nevertheless invited Kocharian to the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish state. One way or another, Turkey knows it must come to terms with its neighbor. Armenia has made clear that it seeks normal relations

Opposite page, President Kocharian at a meeting of CIS leaders in Moscow;

Below: The president, accompanied by

the prime minister, the minister of defense and other officials visited Sevan

and Artashat on Vardavar, in mid-July.

explained that he pref'erred to see the Assembly complete its term before parliamentary elections in summer 1999, not least because it had to formulate the new electoral law governing

Before the public could sprinkle water on the dignitaries (per an old pagan custom) the journalists got to them first.

in office,

those elections. Everything suggests the Assembly's eighth session this autumn will be

long way to go. Exactly why he was killed

of an inquiry, but

isolation

Kocharian

represented. Once

murdered. it was clear that Armenia still had a

remains the subject

create approach on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. If it did not move the issue forward particularly, it at least prevented the

its

populist one as deputies seek to improve their standing before they face the voters.

Khachatrian's death crystallized a more general feeling that nothing really had changed, and that corruption and nepotism were being allowed to go on as before. Unfair or not, the degree to which people are reluctant to say anything good about the new regime, even by post-Soviet standards of cynicism, is startling. During his campaign, Kocharian pledged to renew people's faith in their homeland through a determined fight against corruption

tion with considerable success. The issue was raised in visits to Germany and Italy, while the decision of the French Assembly to recognize the Genocide caused apoplexy in Ankara. Active diplomacy was pursued in several

and the shadow economy. Kocharian even

European and CIS countries as

oreign policy saw a number of achieve-

ments

Kocharian's credit. Foreign

Minister Vartan Oskanian embarked on a more vigorous promotion of Genocide recogni-

well

AIM SEPTEMBER 1998

as neigh-

.fugE#m''"u'r*

,4h'

COVER Top to bottom, first column: President Kocharian with Lebanese President Rafik Hariri in Yerevan, with Yeltsin in Moscow, with lran's Deputy Minister of Foreign Aflairs in Armenia, with Baroness Caroline Cox in Shushi, presenting singer Tatevik Sazandarian, among various cultural and educational figures with nationalawards. Top to bot-

tom, second column: At the Yerevan gold factory, with Yerevan mayor Suren Abrahamian standing to his left; With Argentine President Carlos Menem at the Tsitsernakaberd Martyrs Monument.

STORY in

on Karabakh but unwilling to do so, Siradeghian argues that Kocharian will have no choice but to

Armenia's foreign policy,

resign. On this analysis, he believes the ANM, together with former President Levon Ter Petrossian, has only to preparc itself for a return to power once the new regime has discredited itself in the eyes of the voters. On the opposite side of the political spectrum, things look rather brighter. Presidential advisor Vahan Hovhannissian, the ARF leader in Armenia, argues that no one in the republic can claim to be worse off now than six months ago. Indeed, the new government has achieved the vital task of placing the "national interest" at the core of

In other words, politics as usual. After disputed elections, tanks on the streets, successive political crises, and the collapse of the regime that led Armenia to independence, the hallmark of the first Kocharian years may simply be a return to humdrum normality. Boring perhaps, but necessary. !

contrast, he

argues, to the former regime.

Below, Top: Placing a flower at Yerablur, the new cemetery for victims of the Karabakh conflict Bottom: Visiting the Armenmotor factory in June

with Turkey (although not by attending any celebrations of Kemal Ataturk's legacy) without pre-conditions, but that both sides cannot fail to deal with the Genocide issue if this normalcy is to be truly achieved. The only early promise that remains unaddressed is the question ofpermitting dual citizenship for Diasporan Armenians. The constitutional reforms committee is still con-

sidering a decision

to lift

the ban on dual

nationality. Before this is done, however, the republic must wrestle with finding modalities which will on the one hand, bind Diasporans closer to the homeland, while at the same time,

not creating a situation which will allow Armenian citizens to claim Russian or US or some other citizenship just when the time comes to serve in the military or pay taxes. It remains to be seen how events in Russia will affect Armenia. Financially, Rubles account for 20 percent of the money flowing into Armenia, with many families dependent on relatives who work in Russia. Politically, Russia's ability to assert its interests in the Caucasus, traditionally positive for Armenia, may be hampered by the continued paralysis in Moscou So the scorecard for Kocharian is filled with pluses and minuses as he nears the completion of his first six months in power. This is little hard to take for those who were determined that the new president would bring with him radical change, and that where Ter a

Petrossian's regime brought only failure, Kocharian's administration would be categor-

ically successful. aturally enough, leaders of the former

ruling party see things rather more apocalyptically. Still, for them, too, everything is black and white. Indeed, Vano Siradeghian is on record as arguing that Armenia will soon find itself in an economic crisis and intemationally isolated because of its hard-tne position on Karabakh. Faced with intolerable pressure to sign an unfavorable deal

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

ffi

11 a-r

COVER STORY

Mole lhan LouG, Atmenia Needs Respect An lnteruiew uuith President Rotert l(ocharian By SALPI

HAR0UIllllAll GHAZARIAII

he man who used to pride himself on offering answers shorter than a journalist's questions has become a very accessible, visible president. Still, the demands on President Kocharian are great. While many in Armenia still think of him as an outsider, those same people (and the rest) expect him to produce miraculous cures in all spheres, especially the economy. Perhaps that's because Kocharian, too, has made the economy his number one priority. In an interview with AIM in early August, the President spoke about some of his concerns. There are many unfulfilled expectations following your election. Even middle-level civil servants are exhibiting a huge sense of

disappointment, cynicism, with accusations of corruption regarding higher-ups, etc. One thing

is clear that our people are

quickly aroused, and in many things expect quick solutions, miracles, cures. The problem is that there is a great deal of change happening and expected at the highest levels and

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

many of these long-time, mid-level civil servants are somewhat overwhelmed by all this. The entire system ofjobs and responsibilities must be overhauled, not just among the ministries, but also within the judicial system. It is not possible to ascribe all the problems associated with corruption to a specific official. The entire system must change. At the same time, we don't have civil service regulations to protect the rights of the civil servant, and those

too must be developed. The whole system means the way people

work, or the people themselves? First, it means legislation and regulations. For example, when we talk about registering a business, the regulations in are so convoluted, that each time a new form must be filed or presented, the opportunity is ripe for a bribe. This isn't an individual's doing, it's the system of rules and regulations. This year, each time the

government adopts a decision, efforts are made to limit the complexities, and thus the opportunities for bribes. This, by the way, is a legacy of the Soviet Union, too. There are no miracles. We must develop clear personnel policies which we still don't have. We are adopting personnel evaluation procedures, beginning with the Foreign

Ministry this month. All government branches must conduct their own recruitment, training, and evaluation.

There are so many examples of red tape, of absurd regulations, that it's difficult to respond to people who say that all

government does is complicate life and create opportunities for people to make money on the side.

businesses in Azerbaijan, despite the continuing existence of the blockade?

These are old laws which were passed in 1993, and many only serve to damage our own business capabilities, including export. In the fall. all these laws will all be reevaluated.

Such significant changes in the existing circumstances prior to the restarting of negotiations disrupts the process. And, in fact, it encourages Azerbaijan to continue to avoid the negotiating table.

Taxes. Everybody complains. Is this because there is no tradition of paying taxes?

processes?

Even the Americans don't pay taxes happily. Everyone complains that taxes are too high. Of course, here, there is also the absence of the tradition. In the US, after decades of experi-

ence with the system, people have a greater sense of confidence in the govemment. We are now working with foreign experts to develop a tax code that is sensible and effective and fair.

Investments seem to be up. Why? And you especially from the US gov' ernment as investment support?

what do

In the first half of this year, investments were higher than during the whole of the past several years. That's because for a year now we've been developing the necessary tax laws and infiastructure necessary to attract and keep investors. Especially if the US government provides insurance-through OPIC-the semi-official Overseas Private Insurance Corporation.

How can the Diaspora help?

By talking, negotiating, demonstrating possibilities; there is no end to what can be done to demonstrate that Armenia can be attractive for investment, that it's worth sending people and setting up operation. Our financial system has no limitations, all the necessary institutions are in place. We must also continue to point out that Armenia is the most stable country in the region, and that this is a strong plus on our side. Do Armenia's political and economic policies work in tandem? Now, yes. Before, our embassies were not involved in economic promotion. Now, they are. One of the measures of the efficacy of the Foreign Ministry's and the embassies'work will be their ability to find potential investors. The rest, of course, depends on legislative reforms.

What do you think is the message that the US delivers when it takes the teeth out of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and allows US government assistance to US 22

What is the role of the Diaspora in these

During this last year, as I met with representatives of different governments and agencies, they would frequently ask me a question which I couldn't answer. As I would try to convince them that Armenia is an opportune location for investment, they would ask me, "Why doesn't the Armenian Diaspora have larger investments in Armenia?" This is an important question to which I don't have an answer. We, too, believe that the Diaspora must be at the vanguard in such investments and fortunately, there is now some positive movement in that direction. I am confident that this time next year, I will be able to answer that question

the UN, we will be looking to find ways to promote a more active Diaspora involvement in Armenia, and to replace humanitarian projects with development projects. Armenia still has a great many needs-there is the earthquake zone, there are the refugees. But, for the Diaspora,

Armenia must become more than a field of humanitarian activity, but also a partner. When you love the homeland, you participate in a specific project, but when you respect the homeland, you can transformArmenia into a partner in its own development. It's respect that

I expect.

What can be done, what will you do so that Armenia and Diaspora understand each other better? It's been 10 years, and we stitl

don't understand each other.

First, we must understand that Armenia and Diaspora are different. They are the products of different histories and different countries. We must accept this and not turn it into a tragedy. This is the case for all nations with

Diasporas. We must not place any artificial obstacles in the Armenia-Diaspora rela-

without shame.

tionship, nor must we disturb it from the outside. Left alone,

How do you explain the Kerkorian phenomenon? It is not simply that Kirk Kerkorian came to Armenia, but the kinds of projects he has chosen to fund and support have much value beyond the symbolic. What are your reactions?

it will

You know, sometimes when you first meet someone, you can feel the sincerity and you immediately begin to understand each other. With Kerkorian, it was that way. We were apparently able to explain ourselves and our projects in such a way that they made sense to him. He is a very simple, direct man, and he knows a great deal about Armenia.

Do you have any concerns about the government's ability to effectively manage

the $100 million investment loan fund which the Lincy Foundation will make available?

The government, and I personally, feel a great responsibility to ensure that those funds are used in the way in which they are intended to bolster business development. We will begin to put the first $10 million to work very in a planned and controlled way. What do you expoct of your visit to the US? First, this trip is really a trip to the UN, to speak at the General Assembly on September 24. The US government arranges no official visits during those weeks when all heads of state and government are in the US. Besides soon,

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

develop

flourish

and

.....11

Armenia must

not simply expect help from the Diaspora, but in certain areas such as cul-

ture and education, Armenia can give to the Diaspora, too. At the same time, here in Armenia, we must become more tolerant and accepting of

the Diaspora's involvement. Here,

the

Diaspora must help us. For example, when people in Armenia complain out loud that the Armenia Hotel, a wonderful national monument, must not be privatized and sold, that makes no sense. There is no country in the world that is in the hotel business. Or, the complaints about leasing an aircraft from a French company. Or selling the cognac factory to non-Armenians. In cases such as these, the Diaspora can help by explaining that if we

want

progress, we must accept such

changes as natural processes. The Diaspora must help us overcome these complexes.

imi,,{$,:,.-ffir,.ffi,,&

UAF's

l00ih

Flishfi A Mileslone illionaire Kilk Kerkorirn': firur visit to

Arrnenir arrd thc United Armcnian Fund's l{X)th airlil't both happened during llesident Kochu'ian's llrst months in offic0. Thc Linr:5 Foundation nratle posriblc thc estuhlishrrrcnt ol thc United Annenian Funcl rtearly nirrc ycals lryo. Sirrce then gl-15 millitrn in \urir)us kinds of hunranitil'ian and technical assistance has been sent to Anrrenia using land, sr:lr rrnd

lir

transporl.

$Y{}&Y Kerkorian's

.,1.,, cern

' ural

c0n-

tbr Armenia's natlancllocked status

was articulated during

, his recent trip to :' Armenia (see AIM. . ',August 1998). The : blockade ol'Arnrcnia lry l.:t:; neighboling Azcrbaiian lr and Turkey conrpounded the pr',rhlem irr the

years tbllowing

the

and

the

earthqr-rake hreuk-up

oI the Soviet

Union. Lincy

Kerkorian's

Fountlation stepped:ir to:fa{In:fte Uaited Armenian Fund. lts membcr organizations* the Diocese ol rhe Armenian Churt'h of America. the Prehcy of

the Annenia*'ehu-reh, : the Annenian Relief Soeicty. the Armeniun Ceneral Benevolcrrt Union. thc Armenian Missionrrry Assoeiutiorr

Arncrica. the Armcniun A::emhly

trl'

Amcricir :rntl thc I-incy Forrrrtluti,,n hur.' li,r' neally a clecade uscd the aviiilablc ft'ec trans-

portation 10 scnd everything lrom school

equiprnent to clinic supplies. ACBU President l,ouisc Mlurrxrgian Sirnorrc hus :aid, on m()rc than onc ot'casion. that thc' assislancc cuch ()rgillri/.atir)ll wls rrhlc trl provirJc Armcnia wor-rld have been cut in half if sach had to

tlcpcnd on comrnere ial trir trunsportalion t() cilcumvcnl the hlockudc. Thc l()0th airlill whiclr tlelivelcd $8 rnillirln irr rncdicll and other supplics to vrrious Armcnian orgrurizations und agcncies rrrivud irr Yr:rtvan on AugusL l lrr rnuch lanlarc. Thc trip was made on a US Air Force CS-F Calazy aircralt - "larger than anything I've ever secn" said one .Armenian': <)ffiiial-r Aiport :oilicials

:aid rhe rest of the aircratr in

Yerevan',

Zvartnots airpurl lookecl like toys. Represenratives ol the government mct the

airplane on the tannac us the morc *ran lhree dozen r:ommunity memhers. .joumalists antl other professionals disembarkcd. United Arrneniarr Fund Executive Dircctor Harut Srsrtrunian led the group which mct r,rirlr ruriotrs goverorrent officials, including President Robert Kocharian, Prirne Minister Armen D:rrhinian. rlirristt,rr oI Fore ign Al-luils, Heulth. Cultulc urtd US Arnhtrrrird,rr Rohr'rl Trrmscn. I

NINARrcEI

Floln Fa$hlollslo Food Ihe Nushilrian business cmilIe is gtouling as it diuersitities By JOHI{ HUGHES; PhOIOS [Y ZAUEI{ IffiAGHIKIA]I he call to Paplavok came from an assis-

tant to the President of Armenia. The visiting President of Rumania wanted to hear jazz in Yerevan's favorite nightspot. Just he and 40 of his closest friends would be arriving in seven minutes.

"Problem chka," said owner Garegin Nushikian, who in the nexl seven minutes graciously asked 40 of his regular customers if they wouldn't mind-well-leaving.

No problem.

That's how popular Paplavok is. The owner can ask dozens of customers to give up their seats for a government delegation and feel reasonably sure the displaced 40 will return the next night. Paplavok is Russian for "fishing bobber" and its popularity is evidence that Yerevan has taken Nushikian's bait. Food, drink, atmosphere. Well planned. The lazy shuffle of park life beside a small, if

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

manmade, pond and the ego-feeding energy of being seen among those being seen blends

with classic, and sometimes, modem iazz.

The music-for many Paplavok's most attractive commodity-was an afterthought. "The day after we opened in September 1996, my brother Vachakan and I were at the Aragast Cafe (Paplavok's official name)," Garegin Nushikian says "and we looked at each other and said 'What's missing?' " The next day they bought a piano.

Architect Haikaz Kochar who

has

designed several of the Nushikians' business sites suggested a player-one of Yerevan's longest playing jazz men, Levon Malkasian. The music started-a solo act at firstand the people came. So much that in the summer, there is a wait for tables. And that solo act has turned into five different bands playing nightly. (See related jazz stories, p. 53).

q L-,

!-1

\,r Y

The man behind the music and the mer-

rymaking is first a businessman. Garegin Nushikian, the 37-year old owner of the Edelweiss boutique, Paradise food market,

Lloyd Shoes, Image Advertising Agency. a tourism agency, and, by the time you read this perhaps something else, is more low-key than high-rollel although his name fits any list of Yerevan's most powerlul businessmen. He makes his living by selling the $400 Cachzrel suits in the window of Edelweiss, an

#.J

Ii ;,;+ i-iilr,l

up-scale boutique at the comer of Sayat Nova and

Terian streets at the center ol'Yerevan. But on a July afternoon, he is simply dressed in open collared short sleeve white shirt, black dress slacks. No tie, no jewelry. No flash, no pretense. Soft spoken. But assured. As he should be, given that he opened his

l'irst business. the Paradise grocerl store. in the (more) uncertain days of Yerevan's newly-

found free market. In his unassuming office, surrounded by high-styled advertising posters. u tv monitor plays a tape of an international tashion show. Nushikian himself has just returned fiom France where he and his Edelweiss manager made selections for their Spring'99 collection, including lbrmal wear that he hopes will be popular with teenagers for their end-of'-theschoolyear celebrations. While there, he researched a likely fr"rture promodeling school in Yercvan. And while in Paris, Nushikian visited Yves St. Laurent.

ject-a

Top: Vachakan (left) and Garegin Nushikian run the Nushikian Association, one of Yerevan's largest and most visible business groups. Their newest (and flashiest) venture is the Edelweiss boutique (opposite page) which features designer fashions for men and women.

The building was redesigned and renovated by architect Haikaz Kochar. The Nushikians' Lloyds shoe store (below) carries dress and sport shoes for men.

"l took a videotape of our store," Nushikian says "and he was amazed to see that something like this exists in Armenia." It is amazing. The styles of Nina Ricci, St. Laurent, Givenchy, Rochas, with price-tags to match, await Yerevan's upper-class clientele. Shopping patterns at Edelweiss offer a sociology lab of sorts on the fashion-related spending patterns of Yerevan's upper class. He says, for example, that men spend more on their clothes than do women. This goes counter to every Western merchandiser's training. Maybe because it is mostly men who have well-paying jobs in Yerevan, Nushikian says. Still, a glance at people on the Yerevan streets says that high style is not so much a concern for men as it is for women. Nushikian and his manager (also a man) select clothing based on what "we would allow our women to wear." Chauvinism aside. this summer in Yerevan it would appear there are no styles that a Yerevan woman would not be "allowed" to wear. "What we sell is not what you see on the

streets," Nushikian says. "lt is not everyday wear, it is for evening wear. Our store is not fbr all levels. It is more for the wealthy who seem to prefer more classic styles."

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

BUSINE,SS

ECONOMY "After'93," Nushikian says, "things were such a sad state. The city didn't have the means to maintain the park where Paplavok is located. so we decided to maintain it ourselves. We grew up across the street from this park, we attended the local school. This is our neighborhood, we felt responsible towards it." A few years later, the Nushikians (his parents also work in the business) built bus stops throughout the city. They have given money to orphanages and hospitals. "We've helped whoever we could, whenever we could," Nushikian says. "We would have preferred to do one big thing-like build-

ing a hospital perhaps-but at the time

were not in a financial position to do so. Still, people who have come to us with a specific need have been helped in any way we could." A project currently being planned would combine Nushikian's interests in jazz and charity.

The Nushikians' most popular business venture is doubtless the Aragast Jazz Catebetter known as Paplavok- by a pond in central Yerevan (see related story, page 53). There is not one of his businesses, Nushikian says, that he pref'ers or enjoys more than the other, but Edelweiss presents the most risks. But whether he is selling foodstuffs in a market or a bottle of $50 perfume in a boutique, one fact is constant: "We need buyers." Which is why the Nushikian Association is also involved in billboard advertising, with sexy Vanit.t' Fair-llke ads for the styles found in Edelweiss.

7-Flhe Nushikian Association has come a I fong way from 1992 when Nushikian. I an economist with a state agency.

tiny kiosk. His family already ran a small (government-owned) clothing store. But still, "Nobody in this country had serious business

opened a travel business in a

experience. But as with any country, what happens first is that you begin with a service industry and the rest follows. We learned from

our contacts-and from our

mistakes,"

observes Nushikian.

Mistakes? "Too nrany to mention," he laughs.

As his

business grows.

Nushikian's involvement in charity.

does

If the businessman can put together the necessary sponsors, he hopes to present an international jazz festival

at the end of

October. Ticket sales would go toward recon-

struction efforts in Gumry and Spitak on the lOth anniversary of the earthquake. Jazzlpop musicianAl Jarreau has been invited to be the headline act, but because such talent

doesn't come cheaply, Nushikian is hoping for govemment support to make the event happen.

Having learned the means of successful in Armenia, Nushikian

business management

is asked if he has plans to go take his interests outside the Republic. "Let's do what we can in our own countrv

first," he says.

What's New at the altporl? Iulo Foreign Garriers and llne New Air[us Are Steps in the Right llitection. But What's the Plan? in Especially if change is

Nevertheless, in

comes slowly,

country where change

Civil

Seyranian was appointed in late July folVagharshak Mnatsakanian who had served five years as director of Zvartnots Airport followed by a lit-

lowing the resignation of

tle more than a year as Director of Civil Aviation. Mnatsakanian began his aviation The proposed expanded passenger terminal at Zvartnots.

a favorite to put in the Director of Civil Aviation chair.

Political, but simple, according

(

those who see this kind of change as a

lf"

l:,:*::',cl '*i!ll

with the success of its global reach via air

transport.

out-

,,,*:fi'.::ly i,'TJ;Hi "':t Armenia's national income

accompanying stories). And, what many thought unlikely has happened-Zvartnots has become a transit hub.

Aleppo travelers connect in Yerevan for Moscow. Georgians connect in Yerevan for Amsterdam. And in July, Armenian Airlines, using its newly acquired Airbus A-310, began a flight from London to Delhi, with a stop in Yerevan.

There's more. During Mnatsakanian's term, then-Prime Minister Robert Kocharian gave his blessing to plans for developing Zvartnots into a modern facility, meeting international requirements. And as president, Kocharian further endorsed the $27 million plan to renovate the passenger terminal at Zvartnots. plant, Mnatsakanian (only days after his resignation)

Aviation, a branch of the government that has seen seven directors in the past five years. Reasons for the tumover vary: prime ministers change, cabinet members change, and with each change the new person in charge has

lxffi i -'fi :".:'; "Hy

^ll!

.D /

was nostalgic, looking back on his accomplishments-and full of praise for the direction Kocharian is taking civil aviation. Thus, Mnatsakanian's departure could be oddly timed, coming as it does on the heels of what has been a mostly successful period in Armenian civil aviation history. The otherwise candid former director was reserved when asked to explain the timing of his resignation. "I want to express my thanks for being able to help bring about these improvements," Mnatsakanian said. "I can say we moved forward each day and I think people can see the improvements. The direction of the government, of the president and of Civil Aviation has been categorically correct and must be continued." Will it be? There is no doubt that that's the challenge ahead. Some say questionable changes are already in place, however. One traveler described being obliged seen as

to buy an insurance policy upon check-in. A travel l_ agency owner expressed :t concern that the number of

was generated through the

tifi*lll?flx+;tffi Airport. *" *- Il

Zvartnots

Quietly, and not

for

regularly scheduled flights

may decrease, only to

o'",

,. I presently , ,..i."' A affiliated with that branch t"-?. 11:'and others who have past 'r ., f' " '

attribution, some presently

connections say that Civil Aviation in Armenia is a gold mine easily plundered by those willing to sacrifice the good of the republic for the sake of easy, if illobtained, wealth. The new head of Civil Aviation is Isahak Seyranian, whose experience includes operating a Yerevan travel agency. And Seyranian doesn't report directly to the prime minister as used to be the case with his predecessors, but

Transportation. It is Seyranian's challenge to maintain Civil Aviation's successes, while cleaning up its

the Minister of

sometimes messy image.

From his new post as consultant to his

Armenia. required.

has come often

o M

Ir{

son's Alcon manufacturing

By J(IHI{ HUGHES 'othing comes easy

replaced

with more

prof-

itable, but less acceptable charters.

holes

in the fences surrounding

the airport, allowing access for grazing cows, for pedestrians who used the terminal as a bus stop, for thieves who sneaked in to steal petroleum during the energy crisis, when the ceiling leaked, when doors were nailed shut on toilets, and when the airport had only one back-up generator, although regulations required three.

When Mnatsakanian's association with Zvartnots began, most flights were unscheduled charters. Now there are 70 regular flights per week, including half a dozen by foreign carriers British Airways and Swiss Air (see

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

source who

is a close observer

and

sometime participant of Armenia's civil aviation history (who has ethically-acceptable reasons for anonymity) said that Mnatsakanian resigned "because he could not be comrpted." One person complained that Mnatsakanian had been the first person "with the initiative or the interest to undertake tough decisions. Let's see how the new guys do." "Look, the cargo complex has been completed," said the first source. "There are now foreign carriers flying into Yerevan. The country has just acquired the Airbus. Why would he resign now?"

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Airbus lndustries fleet in the C{S has grown during the last month Aeroflot and Uzbekistan Airways already operated A3lOs. Now Sakha Airlines. Kyrgyzstan Airlirres and Armenian Airlines have chosen Airbus aircraft as their first Western-built aircraft. Olltt'tr slir iL'. ottlr nltlttt:rl. \eri lross. ttt'u rllll. 'l lrc LIrrt'siion is nltelltr'r' tlte slnre Polieics ri ill r'iiDlinrrLr

tocllrrtlr'is.jLr:l rtlrrtrlltrrl Ptortilttrt' lJrrt llrcle is qiiotl lal\ lllt(l r.lllul!r trlrrclc|s (() r\lnrcnilr. Sirrcc I()().1. liriltliott olIitiltlr lrttri lruri nc\\nrcn incltrrlirtr ( ili his I itiziln. plo.itlcnl

.\l\l sLrhrltllt'rl lr li.t irl .ir rlrr.,:lion: Per' llinin! tr).\rilreIilr': tiril lrriitliolt t() lltc r)c\ NJinistcr' ()l l l:Ltt\l)()rlitlion. ) Lrr ill(l litl\illilul. ,\tlottL llrcnt. \\'ltr i\ tllc lLuno\..r urle srt ltillt rtnront ('itil \rilrttort rlircelLrlsl IJou rlo roLr rc\p()rirl to lLllillrliLrns lllrt ' hrihe'' lLntl "].ick llllcl': lLtc f()nlrlron 1r|ltt liec in ('ir tl .\r ilttirrrr ttcgtttililiott'.' \\ hlit tio ) ()u l)lirn lirr .\t llcnilt': lr irtit>n liriulc l .-\l\l \ rL: inlirrnrr-tl br thc \linistcr''s ussi:tilnt thxt tlrc \lirtr:ter' "tlirl rrLrt Iilic thc clLrc.

oIl\c(l t()\\ l11l br irtr:irtr: orrt:itle !ilr't i!'t \ lltl() Zt:tllnots r\ilpoll. l rrrrl tht hclinning. 'l itizilrn \lr\ \. "(ioverrtntcut ollicials \\ct-a lcecl)1i\l. rl ll()t arrtlrLrsiustic. Ilut in thc shlrkr tllLr: rrl lltc rrcrr llcpLrblic. lhosc olliciels rcspouriblc f irr ntek ing ilccisions licpt cllrnlinit. "

tioi)s iutrl lhtrclirlc u orrlrl no1 iul\rr cr'litall. I Ic uottlrl. ltortcct. rcsIorttl to lr iisl Lrl 'nolrnll"

(thloLruh

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Ittl. 'l ltcr

rr L'r','n'l

ol Lcrittt I'ltrcl. ltlrl (iit I()()I ()Jt \tlr jsor trr thc (iorclnrlrcnl on ( ir il .\r itrliol. lt:ric \\

last l)ce r'ilbct'. Bliti'lt .\ilri rLr: its rillililtc llriti:lt \lttiircrriutL'rin) rllit(lc its iniltrgtr|il1 t|iI Ir()rtt I-()nll()n 1() \ctr'run. Sriiss,\il Iirllourrl lltis \llrr. rscr F'inull1,.

lre

ir. lrrr \,1 11,. ft i.:,\,'r.lrll\ L,,,',,,,.. .'t r,'.r'it:' l. lr,,:.lrr.. .l ..1 \,rrrrrrr.r . Irr,,,,,,,,,. \itl,,,t 1.,,rt... ..tr.. 1.. ,.l,ltt\lt\ 510 lirr plrsslilc lltlirttLlt llte \ II)\.e1i(). ()l 1lle t.rrrrirrlrl. Ilr.r,. r',r...rr:.t. ..i.l,I\lr..r ir krttttLt'. iiit crlLntIlL' tllrl ilL' llrl.cn llr' !r'lLnlctl. . r ,,, . tr,t ir.l...f

:util Iirt ltct. riLrrIrlriiLle. ,.\nrl lllLl r' onlr lirl tlcpltlrrrr':. ,\t t ir ll: lLt c trrrrrllrel nllLtler. \1

l\ ltlllt()1\. tlllll l)11)ca\\ r'lut lre ir ilrlr inL err,r' eLllluutl crclltnLc. t:p.'e iltllr Io \\e sle lncrs lrrrtl l:tttoPclut. unlreerrstollcil l() .t.ln iul(l (li\l)lts sior[rtc. il nol u]t1r'iolt(llt. tlr'r-lcr'' tlclir r'r'crl hr Il]osc \ Irrrsr inlcr|cisontLI skjll. rL|c Prorirrels ol Sor ict ntclh()rlol()-r\. "Our c{)rit)lr\ i: goinu tltnrush an ltljurtntcrrt ol' strtbrlizlition.' \li\ \ iirnlcr Cir rl .\r iution Dircctor \lL-qhalshtrli \Ltat:al.enrun.'Ii.L.sistencc ]S

conrprrrrying s(orie

)

\tttt. tti:ttt \irli rr-. t,',,. i' ,-. 11 r. rl\ l,' e()1ltl)!'1() $i1h llttrt' cllfrier'\. l:lrrlr Llris rc:rr'. rcloliltliorrs lcle eoniplelerl ri itlt lltc Irte nr'lt ..\ilhtrs Itttlrtslt ii: lirr lt'lrsing t lr1 \1.15.00() Irer rrontlr)llrr' r\ ll0. nltir'lt nrruie it' ltrsl lli-lltt in .lulr. lJtrt ttol u itlrotrl stlrtltinit l)t(rl!'\1 ll()llt

tollttt lr lttrgc ilrsrr|trrrcc lIrr,oll. .\l tlre helrrl ol llrc tlchulc ulrs llte i:suc

r'rrrrlrl

lrr \rnte niln ,\ir.lint's u,oLrltl lirr:lrl,c lor ul11 tir tltc IrrPelor :rircltrll rrl llLrssilrn rlcsir:n lirr ILrr'llir\ir)! r:lrip brrill oLrtsirlc lhc lirlntcr S()\ l('l I Iri()n tt

ltc rrPltrrsiliorr's Iltclo|ic rlirl ilo1 rttcntiOD. lroricrcT- thlrl in lt)99. IiLrssiltn rnutlr iiitcnrll

rrill rro longcr lrc ullou,ctl l() ()llclutc ill [:ur()PciLn errtrnlIics hcctrrrsc lltc I'Lr1tcl0ts ckt

llto\o coUlltl'ics' crtr irrtnnrcrrlll |cgrr, pr'rtlrrning to noisc uncl ltolIution. 'Thcrr' isn't a countr\ \\ Iticit ckrcs r.t('}t ttr.rl,i .,,1il\' \,,r1 {,1 Itt\('\ll)t!'nt itt ils ;rri,11iq,11 \\ \11'nr.' :rritl ,.\rn.tcrt -[tr--Tachltilin. lIt inttt' nliliortul lletlc llrn spc-cielist uho ncr:otiatccl

D()t nrcal 1:11ions

tht .\ilbtrs c()ntrilct. " lirtluv it is no Iorr!cr

illclLnr tii tlrirtk ol ,\rrneniil lrs tr ptoir.rl ol lllrtt sit. It Is 6 rt'clrte li ttou (ott lt .lttll lrllclnoon). ,\l I I p.rrr. ttrrl:r-r lliO lrrrlirrns uill hc trrre linl 1o I)cllri r irL I-orrilon on ,,\r'rrrcniirn Airlincs." 'I lre hlr:c ol thc Ai|brrs (clil islcltc(l '.\tLntl")PLrre i: lltt lesLrll ol ir livc rclir cllirr'l lo lliur\ll()r l r'rt il lrr ilrtiolr in Atrlcnili oLrl ol lltc Sor

icl c|lr lrntl iDto nroilc|n. iDl('ttllttionilll\

ol)l)()ncnIs r,rIto lelr:ont'tl Ilutl 1lt. ilrr:siltn nlLile II - fi(r lrllc;rrlr ()\\ nerl l)\ ,\r nrt'rrilrn ,\rr liner ri lr, pcrlct llv stritlrhlc li)l iil[.r'ltirli()nirl l]rlltt.

:..,, lrt.,l .l.rtt,l;rt(l\ ,'l ('|( titli(,il.

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(lul!'lnrl l:re ilill{c llrc r-lcul. ll $us tough.'l ltc eorrrlt\ rlrtl not ntcct tlrc basic lcrltrilcntcnt:. ()nc ()l tllcnr hcing lllrt irr unv rlcll slrch us tltis uith un u:sct noltlt Sl0 rrrillion (suclt ls tlris .rit.t:,11 . lltt lr'..,,t ti'(lLtir!\ lt \()\r.t..i:il jtrirl

0c\\

tlitt bttsirtcssnrcn coLrlil ntiilc clrsilr bLrr thc l,.ttrl.tttlll L()nl[irll\ :lrr,l 111 11 ,11r. :, Otlrcr ltccLrsetion: n r'rc Lrl' lLn clltborlL[e insuturcc schcllL' in rihich thc .\irfu' uoLrlci "1all belirrc ils tirne srr thrt -\r-ntcnixll .\rlili!.s

" llrc \r'nte nilrrr: solicitcrl Airlrrr: lirl ltcllr itittl.\itbLtt Llitl tltc bcst il cotrltl [(] lter'()llll)()

itt)lL'c. itt carg

1l1g

ttlttitlnal cttrrict'dclaults. thc

qo\anrrcnt sotrlcl bc thetc to ltlil tlrent out ancl clt'lir t'r' the trssct hack. The Arrncnirn gor c|lrllrL'nl r'clirsecl to giVc its o\\,n llntional carlicr iL so\ L'rciQn uulrralrtcc. So one of thc intl-ror-

Br.rslN!Ls I said one insider. "They went to Toulouse for training and instead complained that this isn't how they used to do things on the Russian

Indonesia. "In all cases, we build the terminals at our expense, but as ajoint venture with the local government. In this case, the $27 million

craft. So, for the first two months of operation, the airbus has been partially dependent

project would be financed entirely by private investors and would involve renovating and enlarging the existing building," Zvartnots can handle only about 100 passengers per hour who sometimes "go through hetl," Titizian said, "because of the limited capacity of that building. Let's not forget that Zvartnots was built in Soviet times and has never been truly functional as an airport," Titizian adds. "Since independence things have been getting increasingly better." Completed, the new terminal will be capable of handling up to 600 passengers per hour and the operations will equal those of other western airports. That is the goal. Will new leadership at the airport result in changes? "We don't expect any changes," said Haratunian. "But. we'11 wait and see. The deal hasn't been signed yet."

on (expensive) fbreign crews." Attitude is also the problem in the air and on the ground. New craft and a new airport terminal are wonderful but what about new concepts and approaches to passenger travel? If the plans of one investment group are realized, passengers will have a considerably different experience when they travel though Zvartnots in the future. STV International of New York has submined a plan to President Robert Kocharian, for building a "modern, Western" terminal at

ulg,ll arto-rfr

F.CONOJVIY

Zvartnots in what is now the VIP building,

"with

a verbal commitment from the President

that all aspects of international terminal operations will be overhauled and redesigned, including services," says STV chairman Michael Haratunian, whose company is part of a consortium of western investors who deal with airport privatization projects around the world, including St. Petersburg, Manila and

Once signed, construction would begin next March, with a completion date scheduled to coincide with the country's celebration of I 1700 years of Christianity, in 2001.

Flyino the Hn$idi#+T#tffi Afm e li i a n $ ld B$

ffiffi;fr#*r*''ffi

Ior tne AlrDus seal. Iogetner wltn Almcnran Airlines' Tigran Achoyan (also recently By SALPI removed from office) and recently-retired

Middle East Airlines executive

represented in Hagopian simply completed the circle. Now that Armenia owns an Airbus it must be made to pay for itself.

Haig

Beyond the monthly lease payments, Armenia had to contract with a maintenance provider. "Armenia today does not have the capa-

bility to maintain this plane,"

explains Jean Hagopian who embarked on a search to find the most appropriate company for that task. Thus, "the heavy maintenance will be done in Belgium by Sabena Technic. Light maintenance and all the line maintenance will be done in Yerevan during ovemight stays or on days the aircraft is not flying by four Sabena personnel who will live in Yerevan for three years. Our agreement is that slowly, maintenance tasks

will

be phased to Armenian Airlines personnel," Hagopian adds.

This seems problematic however given that only three of the 14 Armenian Airlines pilots who were sent for the initial training passed.

"It's not aptitude

llfiR0uillllAlt GHAZARIII{

Nazareth

Karakashian. Armenia is the only CIS country to have been able to secure such a deal with Airbus without guarantees. hesident Kocharian is said to have specifically asked the French govemment for its support for such an agreement. That Airbus was

these negotiations

I I tE I I

so much as attitude,"

British Med Game First T Teteran Arnsria travelers say that the nicest \/ *irg about flying British Mediterranean V inm Yerevan is not just ttrat the wonderfirl

service cmtinues thpuglcnrt the tip up to the last minute- of anival, or ttrat [odon's Healhrow air-

po't is the ransit hub, but ftat one arrives in Yerevan at the very civilized hour of 8 am. After a quick shower and change, tre first-time or retum

vieitm ir ready io take an 3000- yeas ofhistory, m 30 different bureaucratic ouposts. Of course, all this doesn't begin until the rather slow process of tuggage retievat is concluded, but ttren, Yerevan

isn't

London.

least that's how

Des

Hethoington chairman of British Mediteranean Airlfures, ratigmlizes the situation.

"As franchisees of British Airways, we must be mirror imagesr we can't tolerate slipshod service, but we also know that we can't replieate we$tem airports, That would be just fooling ourselves." He continues with a laugh fromhis London offrce overlookiqg Heathrow

don't like waiting 90 minutes for I wouldn'i tolerate that here at 'lleaffuow, but.I wquld and I do in other pans airport.

luggage, and

of the world, not just in Yerevan.li

Still, Hetherington optimist or a diplomat.

is either an eternal

The airline that rnade its name by proviG.,

ing service to the Middle East (Beirut, Amman, etc.) has been flying to Yerevan via Ttrilisi since December 1997 atd couldnlt be

h4ppiu. What began a twice'weekly $ervisei has grown, andwhere plarss flew- into1bilifj quite full, and continued on to Yerevan rather

empty, now the passenggr load seerns to @ divided 50.50 between Tbilisi and Yerevan. [n

fact, passenger travel on this route

has

increased so much that by the end of October, London-Ycrevan service will be non-stgp.

Hetherington acknowledges tlrat for years one of their s.m4ller shareholders, Haig Didizian, continuously would remind them to "keep an eye on developments in Annenia." They did. At the end of summer 1997, rhe UK Department of Transpofiarion signed the final agreement with Armenia's Civil Aviation, "We were delighted widr the attitde inAntpnia,:' and the reality on the gr.oun$]said Hgt!r.94ffi;..',

AIM'SEPT.EMBER 1998 :l

,.:

.. i

B U

N E

E C

'"Ihe. airport in Armenia compare.s very favorably with airports in Lebanon, Jordan or Kyrgyzstan, especially in maners of security and building quality," Hetherington noted. As for ground services, '"The capability on the ground is there," he said. "If you keep working, you will get to where you want to get to. What we want to'buy" is a commiEnent to service." This is evident at British Mediterranean's Yerevan office, where both local and foreign staff bend over backwards to accommodate a problem visitor's travel schedule. Hetherington looks forward wtren both as etopping

to the day

Tbilisi and Yerevan will be built up points for service beyond.

M Y

iiitilllr

,.,. , Thatlq n* likely w na,ppen,ltrqreb, Armenia works on its infrastrucurrc. Right now, alt eaterirrg is purcha*d ir U*mi- Bdtish Med.,. l carries its own mechanics along on its Arrnenia fiigbe, aad ueithef airpn ground seryices nor ', . access to the city are easy.

Hetherin$on was not the only British Mediterrarrean ernployee who e4nessed diisatisfactisn with the tourism industry. To Hetherington's "Arrrenia I and tr are unacceptable for my crews and agencies," another one added, "We haw re.poaEdly. asked

fsr taurlfiffl

lul&ter al'r'Ud dh*as,,,mw.,iilfisr.r :..i mation, lists of interesting aites-ad all we.

get are boring toxts. No oae hm yet undsrstood

tllevalueofansttractivebroehure."

i'i

.r,,' r;:,,: .1;...,,:'..I;:,..:.,.I".jiilni!"o:o,, irii

Swiss Air Gomes to Armenia For Ines Braendle, Swiss Air's Country Manager in Armenia, the problems go beyond brochures. The reputable intemational carrier's high standards of service begin in the Swiss Air office down the street from many of Yerevan's embassies. There, in cool, clean air conditioned space one has access to yesterday's and today's

Financial Times and International Herald Tribune. "We bring them

in for

our readers,"

says Braendle who functions as a sort

of Swiss

Consul in Armenia.

Braendle's staff of six, plus two parttimers who spend their nights at the airport

greeting and sending off passengers, are trained to put service above everything else. But it's not easy. "The old Soviet thinking has-

n't gone away yet. It's an attitude. They're not used

to service." This didn't stop Swiss Air from looking

for new markets in the old Soviet Union, however. Within just a few weeks in May, they started twice weekly service to Yerevan and Tbilisi, and three times weekly to Baku and Samara-all new markets. It's too early to tell which routes will be profitable. Their expectations for Baku busi-

ness travel has

not paid off, although those

flights average 80 passengers per flight, versus 50 for Tbilisi or Yerevan. Nearly one third of Yerevan passengers are local Armenians, and almost all the rest have Armenian names. What is sure to be a draw, especially for CIS passengers is Swiss Air's Zurich hub. Not only is the airport modern, attractive and comfortable, but travelers can trade in their passports (temporarily) for free train tickets into the city during long layovers. Still, it isn't the facilities in Zurich (they're wonderful) or the in-air service that concems Braendle (it's consistently rated tops) but the situation on the ground in Yerevan. Her complaints are not new for those who travel to Yerevan even once every few years. Yet, coming from one who has great influence in Swiss Air's long-term presence in Armenia's air travel, the observations take on even greater weight. The problems have to do with attitude and infrastructure. Braendle explains, "The Armenia Hotel has a small passenger bus that would be ideal for airport transfers, but they don't make it readily available, there are no

taxis at night at the airport. English is still a

problem even

for airport

management.

Although security is good and all luggage is scanned, still, there are too many people

milling around on and near the

planes before

take off. There is lots of space at the airport, but no services, no coffee, or anything. There are only two check-in counters for international travel, which means long waits. Those counters are still not computerized."

She can go on, but she stops, smiling.

After years in Ukraine, Africa, the Persian Gull it is apparent that those other experiences have mellowed her. She knows that Swiss

Air's

presence in Armenia has significance not just

for the six Swiss citizens who reside in Armenia, or Switzerland's 6000 Armenians.

Nevertheless, the woman who set up an office and an operation in this country where every tourist and business traveler count (notjust for Swiss Air but for Armenia, as well) is not certain that her observations are being heard. I

lnes Braendle, standing center, in Swiss Air's Yerevan office.

Nushikion Associotion Co. Ltd.

ond Jozz Art Co. Ltd. with the support of the Government of lhe Republic of Armenio Presents

lnternotionol

Jo zz Festivol

ln Celiebrq,tion of the 60th AJ1,[livefso[y of' Armeh,ie,n,

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Revenues from this choritoble evenl will be utilized in lhe eorthquoke zone.

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moil: OCTA@orminco.com, nborl@orminco.com, oimorm@rminco.com

onsulting ond Monog

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The company's partner in Canada is Sutton Group Diamond - Realty, Ltd.

Expect the best! Company's address is: 5 Nalbandian St., Suite 20, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia: Tel.: 581 429: Fax: AT&T (374-2\ 151 678 E-Mail: eleph@noune.arminco.com

BRABION FLORA SERVICE Flower shops located in central Yerevan. Member of lnterflora. Can deliver and receive flowers to and from 143 countries. Open 24 hours.

Three locations: 11 Abovian, 7 Sayat Nova, 16 lsahakian. Tel: 59-43-38; 59-45-39

24 Hour Toxi Service 120 dram/km Our Cabs will get you to your destination points throughout the city. Pickup service is free within a 5 km radius of Republic Square. Call: 58-79-18 58-50-28 58-49-28

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Ihe Armen att Jsrtlrsllers'Assmlat 0ll The Armenian Jewellers' Association in conjunction with The Armenian DevelopmentAgency & with the Support of the Govemment of the Republic of Armenia are pleased to present The Second Armenian Jewellers'Assembly in Yerevan.

October 3 - 4,1998 TRAYEL:

Armenian Airlines and Swiss Air are event sponsors and arc offering discount rates. Ask for the "Yerevan" special offer.

LODGING:

Conference participants

will

be offered special reduced rates when staying at the Armenia and

REGISTRATION: payment is organized tlrough one of the principal event

Ani Hotels.

sponsors:

Midland Armenia Bank; Account Name: The Armenian Jewellers' Association; Account Number: 001-06305G101

TIIE REGISTRATION FEE OF $200 includes materials provided by

the

ADA on Armenia's business environment;

tansportation from and to the hotel; gala dinner on October 4 hosted by President Kocharian; lunches and refreshments; simultaneous Eanslation; AJA conference pack and souvenir; Visit to Ejmiatsin.

AJA Regional Representatives' Fax Numbers: Armeniaz 37 42-50-70-63 ; B elgium z 32-3 -233-337 0; N ew York z 212-398-9850 ; Leb anon z 961-l-269 -112.

Stepanakert's Urartu Diamond Factory

Diaspora Jewelers Assembly 0rganizes to Benelit l(ara[akh, Armenia and the lliaspo]a. BY

JllH]I

HUGHES; PhOtOS

[Y ERIC IIAZARIA]I

A n a sidestreet off Stepanakert's I l.uin avenue named for freedom \-,/tgn,.rs, a tieshly tlnrshed building sticks out like, well, a jewel, among others still suffering war decay.

It is

not by chance that the Urartu

Diamond Cooperative opened in May in what had been a part of a public school, damaged by artillery. The modern-styled gray building is an obvious new neighbor on the street, the iron bars over its windows suggesting something valuable inside. Symbolism is intentional here where there's more at work than the not-so-simple task of preparing diamonds for the great jewelry houses of Belgium. The director, Andranik Sarkissian is a disabled veteran; his left arm crippled.

"If

there is war,

can serve with

one

hand," Sarkissian says, "but now this is more important. It is for the world to realize that Karabakh people know not only how to fight, but how to work." And so, on the very unlikely off street in a

region much of the outside world considers unstable, the big-dollar business of diamond cutting and polishing has begun with hopes

that other business will follow to stimulate Karabakh's economy. The dream was hatched on an airplane

ride from Amsterdam, when Gagik

Abrahamian, director of the Shoghakn diamond factory near Yerevan, sat next to Jirair Poghosian, the prime minister of Karabakh. "We started talking" Abrahamian said from his Shoghakn office "and I said, 'kt's

open a factory

in Karabakh.'

On that plane ride, Abrahamian didn't have any business cards with him and "Poghosian thought we were just newcomers. A lot of people are visiting Karabakh making promises these days."

But Poghosian sent an aide to visit Shoghakn, then Abrahamian and Vartkess Knadjian of Backes & Strauss of Belgium visited Stepanakert. About nine months later, the Stepanakert factory was opened for operation. Advertising on Stepanakert television and newspapers called for applicants to work at the new factory. About 100 applied, from which a group, including Sarkissian, was sent to Shoghakn for training. "The Karabakhi people are very bright," Abrahamian said. "The ones who came here wanted to put their heart and souls into what they were doing. Probably because of the war, they want to do things that will make their country better." Presently the Stepanakert factory employs about 30 workers, most of whom are women (as so many of Karabakh's working men are soldiers) and plans are already being discussed

to open a

second factory

in the coming

months.

The route begins in Belgium from which diamonds are sent to the Yerevan factory. Then Sarkissian (whose appointment was made by

the government

Karabakh) goes to

from which he takes the diamonds that are to be processed in Stepanakert. "The diamond factory in Stepanakert is a good example of what can be done in a short Shoghakn

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

opened a few months ago as a DiasporaArmenia-Karabakh joint venture. time," Knadjian said from his Belgium offrce. "A beautitul small factory has been built, 20 to 25 people have been trained, and they are working and providing for their families." In the first two months of operation, the Stepanakert factory produced 540 karats worth of cut diamonds and some $10,000 in income. "Some people are afraid," Knadjian said. "It's Karabakh, there may be security concems. But if we think that way, we won't get anywhere."

Indeed, Knadjian and Abrahamian are applying aggessive thioking to the jewelry business inArmenia, by having recently founded the Armenian Jewelen Association for goldsmiths, store owners, diamond specialist,

setters-for all

involved in the jewelry nade.

is ideal," Knadjian "It has lots of skilled labor, no major cap-

"Armenia's situation said.

ital investment is required in this business, and it is not limited by the blockade. This is considered light industry and it is possible to get results in a short period of time." In October, the newly-formed Jewelers Association will host an intemational conference in Yerevan at which 450 to 600 jewelers worldwide are expected to get a first-hand look Armenia's potential in the jewelry business. "The purpose of this conference is to bring together people who are actually in this business," Knadjian said, "and who represent a certain economic potential in the Diaspora." At its first meeting in Basel, Switzerland, in at

April 1998, the Assembly voted Belgium's Haik Arslanian as its president, with representatives in each country to organize local chapters. At the second meeting this fall, the

Assembly

will

attempt

"familiarize

Armenian jewelers with the business climate

An icon in Armenian popular music for more than three decades, Bella Darbinian helped define the genre wilh a sultry voice and a style all her own. Classically trained in Yerevan and Moscow, Darbinian gave up opera for a career that would be more in tune with the pop sensibilities she grew up with in Armeniais Lori region. She entered the spotlight in the early 60s when she became a soloist with lhe Armenian State Ensemble. Her popularity soared after joining the Symphonic Ensemble of Armenian Radio and Television in 1966. For the next 30 years, Darbinianis numerous recordings and performances in front of packed houses brought a new level of legitimacy to modern Armenian pop songs. Darbinian also performed in Russian, a fact that gained her immense popularity throughoul the states of the former Soviet Union. Despite a prolonged aLrsence in the 90s due to Armeniais harsh economic conditions, Darbinian was back in 1998, with a slew of new recordings and tour dates in the works. As evidenced by her latest work, " Siro Veradanz", her resolve and passion for singing have never been more spirited.

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Tflhree months prior to the Azerbaijani I oresidential elections scheduled for I b"toU., 11. it is already manifestly clear that the issue at stake is not simply ensuring the reelection for a second term of septua-

genarian incumbent Heidar Aliev. Inevitably, the election campaign has evolved into a war of attrition between the country's authoritarian leadership and its hitherto fragmented, but now surprisingly cohesive opposition parties, with the latter progressively demanding more and more sweeping concessions from the for-

In addition, both sides are soliciting moral support from the intemational community, with the opposition systematically highlighting.those aspects of the new election law

mer.

that it considers undemocratic, and

the President waming police and local officials that he will hold them responsible if the international observers invited to monitor the poll witness a repeat of the egregious intimidation and ballot-stuffing that characterized the parliamentary elections of November, 1995. But above and beyond the intemal political considerations, the upcoming election has assumed a broader geo-political coloring, connected, as are so many issues in the Transcaucasus, with Caspian oil and the choice of pipeline route for its export to international markets. Azerbaijan's oil reserves are in fact the single most important factor influencing political developments in that country. In early June, 1993,just days before he was scheduled to sign a major contract with a consortium of Westem oil companies, Azerbaijan's President Abulfaz Elchibey was deposed in a bloodless

coup

by rebel paramilitary leader Suret

Huseinov, paving the way

for the return

to power in Baku of Nakhichevan parliament speaker and former Azerbaijan Communist Party First Secretary Heidar Aliev. Aliev proceeded to consolidate his hold on power by winning a presidential election against two political unknowns in October, 1993, agreeing to a ceasefire on the Karabakh front in May, 1994, and renegotiating the oil contract, which was finally signed in ablaze of hyperbole in September, 1994. Aliev has since presided over the sporadic repression of the opposition and the censorship of their publications, while continuing to pay lipservice to the concept of democracy. That approach has paid off handsomely: Western oil companies have concluded further exploration and./or production sharing agreements with Baku, and on visits to Westem capitals Aliev has been lionized and adulated for his "long and distinguished career of public service."

Human rights violations and endemic corruption notwithstanding, it cannot be denied that Aliev has succeeded in ensuring political stability and even, beginning in 1997, a modest economic upswing. That is almost certainly enough to guarantee his reelection by a population whose only alternative experience of life in an independent state was the euphoric chaos, economic downtum and military defeats sustained under discredited former

Communist Part boss Ayaz Mutalibov and then under Abulfaz Elchibey. Cognizant that their chances of unseating Aliev are minimal, the Azerbaijani opposition nonetheless seized on the presidential

poll due in October,

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

1998,

as a golden opportunity to focus intemational attention on the undemocratic nature of the

Aliev regime. In mid-May, despite opposition criticism, Azerbaijan's Milli Medjlis (parliament) passed

a new law on the Central

Electoral

Commission which empowered the incumbent president and the parliament each to nominate half the commission's 24 members. A new law on the presidential elections was passed in the third and final reading on 9 June, after being amended to incorporate suggestions by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

But Azerbaijan Popular Front Party deputy chairman Asim Molla-zade protested that those changes to some 32 of the law's 59 articles were "cosmetic" and failed to address the opposition's objections. Eight days lateq on 18 June, five prospective opposition presidential candidates-Abulfaz Elchibey (Azerbaijan Popular Front Party), Lala-

Shovket Gadjieva (Liberal Party of

Azerbaijan), Isa Gambar (Musavat Party),

Ilyas Ismailov (Democratic Party of Azerbaijan) and exiled former parliament speaker Rasul Guliev-issued a statement arguing that their participation in a poll held under a "reactionary laws" would constitute "legitimization of a dictatorial regime" and tacit condonation of repression, and affirming their intention to boycott the elections. According to Isa Gambar, the (not entirely logical) rationale for the five opposition leaders'boycott threat was that the intemation-

al community would condemn the poll

undemocratic if no opposition candidates participated. But neither the West nor the

Azerbaijani leadership reacted as the opposi tion had expected. The West declined to side openly with the opposition, but pressured the Azerbaijani authorities to take additional measures to ensure the openness and faimess of the entire election process. (It is not known whether the Council of Europe has wamed the Azerbaijani leadership that the country's acceptance into full membership of that body is conditional on the democratic conduct ofthe poll.) At the same time, both ODIHR Director Gerald Stoudmann and US Ambassador to Baku Stanley Escudero urged the opposition to abandon their proposed boycott: Escudero told Elchibey that "it is easier to disclose vio-

dential administration head Ramiz Mehtiev rejected those demands, simultaneously making it clear that the leadership would not increase its offer to allocate a maximum of six seats on the Central Electoral Commission to opposition nominees, or make any further con-

cessions. Meeting with Mekhtiev in early August, opposition representatives proposed postponing the elections in order to ensure that

they could be held under democratic conditions. This demand too was rejected, but the criminal charges against Gambar were subsequently dropped.

In late August, Aliev appeared to hold all the trumps, having bolstered his democratic

lations by participating

Gambar and Elchibey would both insist on running. (Elchibey's popularity rating has plummeted since he was permitted by Aliev to return to Baku in late 1997.) It is also possible that Rasul Guliev, who observers believe is bankrolling the "five" from his New York exile, may break ranks: he told a press conference in Istanbul in July that he plans to return to Azerbaijan to contest the elections, despite the warrant for his arrest. (The most plausible explanation why Ankara extended its hospitality to Guliev was to send a warning to Aliev that it would not look kindly on a retreat from his affirmed commitment

to the Baku-Ceyhan route for the planned Main Export Pipeline for Caspian oil.)

in the elections than by observing from out-

One Azeri

com-

mentator has argued that Aliev will not risk

side".

And when Central Electoral Commission

postponing the election,

authorities could not

as the participation of "the five" could result in his failure to poll a clear

afford to purchase transparent glass ballot boxes

round. That

chairman Djafar Veliev

lamented

that

the

majority

seems

unlikely, however, in the light of the modest tumout at mass rallies

to minimize the risk of ballot-stuffing, the US offered to meet the cost of supplying them.

convened by the opposi-

tion in Baku and other

The opposition in tum responded to

in the first

cities

each

on 15 August.

successive concession

[optional cut No more

than 20,000 people participated in the Baku demonstration, com-

on Aliev's part

demanding more. (In this respect it is revert-

ing to the attrition tactics

pared with the crowds

tiny

of several hundred thousand that the Azerbaijan

which the

Azerbaijan

Popular

Popular Front could

Front minority successfully employed within

mobilize in 1989.1 Yet if the outcome Communist-domiof the poll can be prenated Supreme Soviet '1997. Abulfaz dicted with a reasonable elected in 1990.) In early Azerbaijani President Haidar Aliyev, top left, addressed the UN in July, at the president's Elchibey, above, was president in 1993. He is among the opposition candidates who degree of certainty, it remains unclear whether behesr, the Milli Medjlis are boycotting the elections. the Azerbaijani authoriamended the election ties will be able to deliver on their professed credentials by announcing the abolition of law to empower local observers to monitor the poll and to limit the number of signatures in commitment to ensuring that the voting is free media censorship. The opposition, by contrast, and fair. By-elections to the Milli Medjlis in appeared to have boxed itself into a corner by support of prospective presidential candidates four constituencies in late July followed the banking on the poll being postponed. The that may be verified by electoral commissions customary pattem of ballot-stuffing - but on Central Electoral Commission has registered to 2.5 percent of the total. (Numerous opposithat occasion there were no international six of the nine would-be candidates, including tion candidates were refused registration in the Aliev, Independent Azerbaijan Party leader obseryers present. Two of the three presidenNovember 1995 parliamentary elections Nizami Suleymanov, who polled second to tial candidates refused registration have because signatures collected in their support alleged malpractice by the Central Electoral Elchibey in the 1992 presidential election with were deemed to be forged.) The five then set Commission. And even if widespread viola38 percent of the vote, and Party of National further conditions for abandoning their proposed boycott, namely, a reduction of the tions do occur, the international community Independence chairman Etibar Mamedov, who may shrink from publicly acknowledging that serves as the "loyal opposition" to Aliev. minimum turnout from 50 percent plus one to (Mamedov has denied rumors that he cut a the emperor has no clothes. But at the very 25 percent ofregistered voters, and the right to least, by wresting from the authorities a series nominate 50 percent of the members of the deal withAliev whereby he was to be appointof modifications to the electoral law, plus the ed Prime Minister as a reward for running Central and local electoral commissions. abolition of media censorship, the opposition against him.) When the former condition was met, they then has redrawn the parameters of the possible in a Even if Aliev were to postpone the elecdemanded the abolition of censorship and the way that will pay off no later than during presition date, and the opposition decided to particdropping of criminal charges against Rasul ipate, it is not clear whether they could agree dential elections of 2003, in which HaidarAliev Guliev, who is accused of largescale embezis highly unlikely to figure as a candidate. I zlement, and Gambar. But in mid-July, presito nominate a single candidate, or whether

the

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

Belote Septembet 21, there was May 28. lhis yea], Armenia celehraled ulith a uengeance. By A. H. AIEXA]{DRIA]{ This September 21, Armenia will celebrate the seventh anniversary of the birth of the Third Republic. This will be the second independence party this year. In May, Armenia struck at the silence imposed on it during the intervening Soviet decades and celebrated the 80th anniversary of the independence of the first Armenian Republic with a vengeance. The decision was politi-

cal. Without ignoring the achievements of the Second Republic, Armenia acknowledged that it exists today by virtue of the independance of the first republic-independence that was its only choice after achieving victory on three life-or-death fronts betweenMay 22 and 28, 1918. When Alexandropol (Gumri) fell to the Turks on May 15 (after the Treaty of Brest Litovsk had been signed and the Russians

had left the battlefronts) Armenia's National Assembly gave its chairman, Aram

Manukian extraordinary powers. General

Dro Kanayan commanded the Bash-Abaran front. Major General Movses Silikian and General Daniel Bek Piroumian led the professionals and non-professional fighters in Sardarabad. The commander in chief of the army General Tovmas Nazarbekian was on the Karakilisa front. With their backs to the wall, the Armenians won. The defeat of the Turkish army allowed the formation of the First Armenian Republic.

7Tth. National Academy of Sciences ! organized a conference on the theme I of the first Republic, with the participation of California Professor Richard Hovannisian, author of the fbur-volume Republic of Armenia. Chairman of the National Assembly Khosrov Harutunian undertook the publication of "Resolutions of the 19l8-20 Parliament", a voluminous work with documentary value. In Abaran, on May 25, the local popu-

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

lation, together with government officials and the son, grandson and dozens of members of the Dro Kanayan family commemorated the 80th anniversary of the battle of Bash-Abaran. In Vanadsor (Karakilisa), the local population and professional actors dressed in period costumes reenacted historical events.

On May 27, President Robert Kocharian awarded artists, writers, scientists, historians, athletes, military men, Government officials and church lead-

ers at Sardarabad, above; Opposite page, clockwise f rom lower left: Carrying Sose Mayirig's ashes to Yerablur, Hovannes Chekijian and the National Chorus at Zvaftnots, as pafi of the festivities, Laying flowers at the

tombs of Armenian and Russian sol-

diers,

the Aram Manukian room at the State History museum.

C members of the interior security force's and

Karabakh soldiers, some of them posthumously with the Mesrob Mashtots and Moses Khorenatsi awards. Among them, Diasporan Armenians Charles Aznavour, historians Vahakn Dadrian, Anaide Ter Minassian and Hovannisian, writers Vahe Oshagan and Zoulal Kazanjian, Haratch Editor Arpik Missakian. May 28 began with a visit to Yerevan's Main Cemetery by Prime Minister Armen Darbinian and other officials who placed flowers on the tomb of Aram Manukian.

The ceremony was attended bY

Seta

o N

Manoukian, the 8O-year-old daughter of Aram Manukian (seeAIM ??? 1992) who for 22 years had been away from Armenia. With tears in her eyes, she explained tojoumalists that everything was happening too late, and that her life was beginning at its end.

At mid-day, the remains of Sose Mairik, which the Armenian Relief Society had undertaken to bring from Egypt, were

to Yerablur, Yerevan's newest cemetery and the burial ground for Karabakh heroes. Defense Minister Yazgen Sargsian paid a vibrant tribute to this turn-of-the-century legend in ceremoniously carried

the presence

her grandchildren,

and

promised to bring back the remains of other

heroes

of the national

struggle, such

General Antranik Ozanian. But this was a side show comPared to Sardarabad where several hundred thou-

sands (including what seemed

to be all

had

gathered.

Armenian officialdom)

Beyond the official speeches, the direct offspring of the independence heroes also spoke. The festivities concluded when the government honored the more than four thousand 90 and 100 year olds who were alive in 1918 and witnessed history. I

30 Years Lahor ReGteates the History ol 1200 Days BY GEORGE BOURIIOUTIA]I

7Tth" man who legitimized the study of I the first sovereisn Armenian state in I nar a millennirim grew up in the farming community of Tulare in the great San Joaquin Valley of California. Richard Hovannisian's parents, first generation immigrants who had suffered tenible losses during the Genocide, were highly patriotic. Many visiting Armenian dignitaries were guests in their modern farmhouse. Among these figures was Simon Vratsian, the last prime minister of the 1918 independent republic.

Years later, Hovannisian was offered the chance to study Armenian at the Nshan

in Beirut, Lebanon, where Vratsian was principal. After completing his early degrees, Hovannisian began work on the history of the Republic

Palanjian Jemaran

as his doctoral dissertation. Since the of the Republic were in Soviet Armenia and unavailable, Hovannisian examined other primary sources in the US archives

and the UK. He also received permission to examine the Archives of the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia to the Paris Peace Conference, integrated into the Archives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and housed in Boston. Hovannisian soon realized that a multidimensional history of independent Armenia had to take into account a long list of related subjects. His dissertation,

on the Road to Independence, 1918 (published by the University of

Armenia

California

1967) covered only the

antecedents to the republic. For the next three decades Hovannisian devoted the bulk

of his

research to completing his youthful

Armenian Republic on the academic map. The fall of the Armenian republic and the establishment of Soviet Armenia in 1920 had resulted

in bitter political divi-

dream. The Republic of Armenia, Volume I: The First Year 1918-1919 appeuedin l97l and Volume II: From Versailles to London, 1919-1920 was published 10 years later.

sions among Armenians. Some distanced themselves from the history of the republic and rejected its flag, others claimed sole

Hovannisian had put the study

possession

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

the

of the flag and the

historical

7dl frii, &.,

record. Both sides accused each other of its final collapse and the loss of territory. To tackle the history ofthe republic in the early 1960s took courage. Indeed, Hovannisian wasn't simply the only Armenian scholar in the Diaspora committed to studying this subject, he was the only one interested in modern Armenian

history. Others, afraid

of being labeled

"nationalist" or "ethnic" historians, chose to keep a low profile or conducted research on

less controversial subjects. Despite criticism by many Armenian and non-Armenian academics, Hovannisian founded and to a large measure defined the field of modern Armenian history in America. Increased denial of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish govemment and its spokespersons in the US has often forced Hovannisian to choose between his primary research and the need to respond to these allegations. Hovannisian's work in

Hovannisian's five volumes, composed

of some 2500 pages, some 10,000 footnotes, numerous maps and photographs, and an

exhaustive bibliography based on Armenian, Russian, Turkish, German, Italian, French, and English language sources focus on the history of Armenia for

l20O days between March 1917 to December 1920. But what a period it was! World War I, the Russian Revolution, the independence of Transcaucasia, the Turkish invasion of Armenia, the establishment of the Armenian republic, the Armeno-Azeri and Armeno-Georgian territorial disputes, the Paris Peace Conference, Wilson and the Armenian mandate, the Russian Civil War, the London Conference, the San Remo COURTESY OF TIDAX

change, (he extensive new material delayed the completion of the fi nal volumes-Volume III: From ltndon to Sevres, February-August 1920 and Volume IV: Ber,yeen Crescent and

Sickle: Partition and Sovietizption-whtch were both published in 1996.

historiography to international recognition. Although Hovannisian states that he is at the end of his career, his endless travel schedule, his frequent participation in intemahas

and his wife's parents who were also

of the Board of the Armenian

Union created a new Armenian republic in l99l and finally gave Hovannisian access to that portion of the 1918-1920 archives in Yerevan. Although the conclusions did not

that

Hovannisian's Republic of Armenia is, and will for a long time remain, the definitive study of a most intricate period in the history of the Armenian people. Hovannisian is considered by many as the pioneer who elevated modem Armenian

Any discussion of Hovannisian's academic career must mention his family. He always does. He tells of his parents and brothers making a life as successful farmers in Central California,

ArmenianAssembly. Today, he is a mem-

While completing the next volumes, the political developments in the Soviet

This does not alter the fact

tional conferences, including what

He became a founding member of the Society for Armenian Studies and the

National Institute and the holder of the chair he created at UCLA-the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History.

what was been written in this series. He also states that the December 2, 1920 - July 13, 1921 period (outlined as an epilogue in the final volume) still awaits a thorough study.

become a periodic series on the Armenian vilayets of EastemAnatolia belie his statement.

genocide studies includes numerous articles, half a dozen edited books and some 1000 public lectures all over the world, including many in remote communities.

ber

sive holdings in the newly-opened State Historical Archives of Armenia make his work incomplete and that new generations of scholars will enhance, revise, and rectify

Conference,

the Treaty of Sevres,

the

Soviet-Turkish entente, and the collapse of the Armenian republic are just some of the events which occurred during Armenia's experiment with independence. Hovannisian's objectivity flies in the face of historical myths generated later by political parties in Soviet Armenia and the Diaspora. Some chapters not only challenge both the Soviet and ARF accounts, but explain the errors made, policy presumptions gone awry, confusions as to what was possible, and finally, what was inevitable. In his preface to the third and fourth volumes, Hovannisian states that the exten-

AIM SEPTEMBER

1998

genocide survivors. Indeed, it was the stories told by these surviving villagers which motivated Hovannisian to pioneer the utilization of oral history techniques to doc-

ument survivors' memoirs. His wife and

chronicler, Vartiter

Kotcholosian

Hovannisian, a physician who worked with the professor every step of the way, was an active participant in the Oral History effort as well. His four children were witnesses. In what is perhaps the most interesting twist of events in their personal odysseys,

the historian's oldest son, Raffi, himself made history when he was named indepen-

Armenia's first foreign minister, as history somewhat repeated itself in 1991. I dent

\ffi

G00

,h **

jiB-"8*

ffiffiffi lN HEB IFJ

r THE r

?%,

* 6-

k\ By

I(RISIEN B. l(lDD; Photos hy ABA oSHAGAN -rn

,ffi lllic

Nahahedian lras many l'oncl tnertt-

orics ol' l'anrily dinners at

Grattclnra

llosc's lrousc lirllor'r,ing scrvices at St.

Crcgoly tlrc IllLrrrrinator Church in

Chica-uo.

'l'hcsc Ioutl utttl happv gathclings had a strong irrlltrr'rt,,' ort )r)unr' 1,111.. ilr.pirir):' il r'iltcer in crxrking that has cLtittrittittctl r.r ith one of the nrost plcstigious positritrts in thc ltcld. At the age ol'.{0. Nahatrcdiln is [::xcculive Chcl'at the

Four Scasons Hotcl irr [3cvcrly Hills. Calilbrnit. Shc is onc ol'ortly 1\\'o wotllcll lo achiclc this loltv prolL'ssionul status ltt thc luxurl, chain u,hiclr opcrittcs -14 hotcls and resorts aLour.td thc worlcl.

hcr pl'ol'cssional ilt the ianrous Ritz-C'arlton Hotcl in

Nahabedian begarr cllrcer

Chicago during her seniol year in high school. Hcr cr-rlinar1, jor.rrneys look hct' on cxtcttsivc training toru's in Er.rropc ancl the Mcditcrluncan. Back home. Nahabctlian workccl at

top

staul'ants. When fhc Four Se asotts its ncw luxury hotcl itt Chicago.

openctl

Nlhahcdian .ioined the tcant ol chef.s to create its ulvarcl-winning restaurant Seasons. Afier two ycurs Nahatredian nroved lo California to bccorlc lixccutivc Chcl'at the Four Scasons []iltrnorc in Santl Bnt-bara. Tlrree vears later shc translcrrccl to Bcvcrll'Hills rvhere shc has bccn Exccutii,c Chcl'since Februarl" I995. Shc now ovclsces a hustling stall'oi J5. and an operation u,hich inclLrtlc-s lilte clining. a poolside ca1c. a lourtge itnd [-rar. roont set'vice for

rlrc 155-nrr,rrr Irolt'1. a korlrr't kilcltcn

anrl ertcnsir,'c cirtcring and hanquet facilities spr'cializing in weddings, special elcrrts and cclcbrity galas ftrr which thc ['-our Se:asons l{otcl is rcnoq'ned.

"Wc'vc sccu cvcry rtraior A-list celebrity you could think ol'hcre." Nahabedian said. "We catcr to thc movie, rnusic and arlvertistng indus-

tries.

We're known fbr long-terrrt gucsts and ti'eqrrent guests. Our clientele tcnds to bc extremely rvell tlaveled," tlotcd Nahabedian who pointed out there arc six lttxr-rry holels within two miles of eaclt othcr in [3cverl;- Hills. "That's what kccps me doing cvcrything I can every single day."

tl sht' dicin't impc'rse some kind of limit shc could casily spend seven days a week sr-rpclvising work in the largc indr.rstrial stainlcss stccl kitchcn. Nahabcdian says she prclcls to be presct.tt lirr brcakfast service, part ol rr

:lr1Ll nurt ol tlirtttcr'. irntl she alwuys ha: irr ]l)uLiul ( \ crtls irrvolvirrg lbod.

ltrrrt lr

l[riltl

'flrr' rttuit Jillictrlt irspect ul lrerjtrh ir try'ing to anticipate evcrything. Nahabeclian is a detail-orierrted pcrfectionist who makes it her mission in lile to grarrt the guests tlteir cvery fbod-related wislr. "E,veryonc rcmct.tthcrs it had experiencc, and everyonc cxpccts a good one," Nahabedian slated. Nahabedian remains vcry close to het'

AIM SEPTEN,1BER ]998

fanril1,. ds:ip1ts the distance. Her pruents live in Murco Islurrd. Ijloridl. rr rtson town r,r ith u grttr.l-

ing 1-ropulation o1'Armenian refirees. Catrie antl lrcr two sistcl's, who still live in Chicago. visit thcil parcnts ancl cach other often. Il'lrveI Irtr: hcerlntc tr c{)mrn{)n evcnt itl Nahabcclian's lilc beclr-rse her work olien takes her ()verseus. l,ast November she had an opportunity to visit the []our Seltsotts Holel in lstanbul. She invitecl her Iirthcr to.ioin her for the trip that turncd out to hc I vcry tlloving expericnce. "lVt1' lathcr hacl alu'rys saicl he would ncver go to Tr,rrkcy. btrt in thc last t'ew years he had exprcssecl a clesire kr see ihc country where his parents were btlrlt. " Nahabedian said she and her father attended an Armenian wedding in Istanbul. 'fhey tlid

not have time to travel to Sivas wherc her' Cranrlfather livcd. hut l'clt siitisfietl tu Irave sccn Istanhrtl. "lt really ()pcncd olrrcycs irs lo what rny grandparents went through to gl:t to America." she said.

'6 qnlffi[eO

'The Quest for the Absolute Mail Processing Solution'

Series C5 lntelligent Modutar Mailing System

The Moths during rehearsal; Khanzadian,

Sister and Brother Artists Anita and Uahan Khanzadian By

IffiISIE]I

center,

directs as Buck Kartalian (lying down) and cast follow.

KIDD

IHE RIGHI IIIREGIIOI{

"As a kid I recall running to the library

and looking through the card catalogue, look-

graphs about Armenian historY. Now it's better, but there was nothing back then." Anita Klranzadian remembers growing up in Syracuse, New York, where few other Armenians lived, and

passed along. Now an award-winning theater director in Los Angeles, Khanzadian says she is ready to tell the story of the Armenian people theatrically-if she can find the right project, the right place, and the right actors. This month Khanzadian may be taking a step in that direction. September 10 is opening night for a new play she is directing in Hollywood. Sponsored by the AGBU' the

wanting to answer the often-asked questions: What kind of name is Khanzadian? What is Armenian? "So you grow up saying: oh yeah we're a footnote in the encY-

with historical events, it's a universal play,"

ing to find anything

could about Armenia.

There wasn't a book I could get out of the pub-

tic library that gave me more than two

para-

clopedia! And then you get the opposite of that, this enormous fierce pride your family has in its

culture. How come

nobodY

knows'J If we're so terrific, how come nobody knows we exist?"

Times have changed, but todaY, Khanzadian, who is in her 60's, finds herself once again exploring that childhood wonderment at the

heritage her immigrant

Parents

play is called The Moths; it is written by Ralph Arzoomanian and stars veteran actors Buck Kartalian and Magda Harout.

"The play itself does not deal directly explains Khanzadian who says she likes the story because ofits broad-based message. The Moths is the tale of an ailing man who is supporting a group of freeloaders. That makes him the candle and they are the moths that live by his flame. The central question ofthe play is, "What will happen if that candle goes out?" Khanzadian has directed a wide variety of stories; most recently she staged two different one-woman plays. She has won several

Dramalogue Awards and a Los Angeles

A Drama Critics Circle award. Khanzadian staged productions at Playwrights Horizons, served as artistic director at the Theatre at St. Clements in New York, and has directed

regional productions

Philadelphia and Aspen. Khanzadian's work also took her to India and Bangladesh. She was the first in her family to show serious interest in pursuing the performing arts as a profession. Khanzadian says, "My parents loved music and my mother loved theater. My father had a great singing voice, but he only sang when he was having fun with his friends. We just grew up with music, took piano lessons, things like that. But actually the real artist in the family is Vahan. Before he even talked he sang!" Khanzadian's brother Vahan is now an operatic tenor in his eighth season performing with the New York Metropolitan Opera (see accompanying story). His voice is adored by thousands, but his older sister is still his great-

est fan; "He's a brilliant singer. He's just great!" she beams. The Khanzadians also have a younger brother Stan who lives in Fresno. They say he is an excellent musician, but plays the piano and guitar purely for entertainment.

Not surprisingly Khanzadian's

husband actor

is also an artist, "I'm married to an

named Eddie Jones. I think you almost have to marry somebody within the profession otherwise they will never understand your madness!" Khanzadian laughs when she talks about the pressure, but admits it is one of the tough things about theater work. "I think one of the difficulties of our profession is, it's so easy to get completely consumed by it, and I

admit to being consumed."

THE RIGHT UOIGE "It's sort of a recreational thing, I always forjoy more than anything else. Being on the stage was never that important to me," sing

admits Vahan Khanzadian, operatic tenor and

principal artist with the prestigious New York Metropolitan Opera. His sister Anita says Vahan is the true artist and the pride of his family. He is quick to retum the compliment, "I think Anita's probably the purest artist ofall. She's covered a wide gamut over so many years. She could take an ordinary production and make it look

like it's the greatest spectacle ever seen. of whether there's money in the

Regardless

venue, she's always had the ability to make it work. Her special genius is she could always make it happen." Khanzadian said without Anita's encouragement his career as a vocalist might never have happened. "Music was a very important thing growing up. We all were drawn in that way, but my sister would drag me off to auditions whenever she heard about one. She was the instigator to get me to sing and take lessons!" Khanzadian began taking lessons at

age 13, and by the time he got through high school his voice had changed from a light bari-

fact Khanzadian's work will soon be added to

tone to a tenoi. He continued serious study at the Curtis Institute of Music and experimented with different kinds of vocal expression befbre settling on opera. "I always loved the opera, I used to hear

stores. He has a new CD coming out-a

it on the Texaco radio broadcast as a kid. I I was 16." Today

never saw an opera until

Khanzadian tips his hat to the "Three Tenors,"

Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carerras and Placido Domingo, performers who have been criticized by some as sell-outs and self promoters. Khanzadian disagrees, "It's a not a question of whether they are good or bad; they are exposing a lot ofpeople to classical music. I say it's a great plus." The declining interest in classical music among younger people is a phenomenon which Khanzadian sees as a result of overabundance, not poor

taste. "The problem

there are so many choices for entertainment. Hundreds of TV channels, and you go in the music store and there are so many choices." In

the plethora

choices available at music

recording of the Broadway musical Follies by Stephen Sondheim.

Khanzadian made singing debut

his

prot'essional 1968 with the San Francisco

Opera. Since then he has performed with nearly every major opera company in the US and Canada including those of New York City,

Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, and sung in many other cities around the US, Europe and Japan. His credits include the leads in just about every opera from Verdi's Don Carlo to Puccini's Tosca to Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades. After more than 30 years of performing it would seem Khanzadian has done it all and can sit back and relax while casually pulling from his vast repertoire. Not so, he says, "Singing has kept me very very busy, I'm probably more active now than

was 20 years

ago. Somehow

the voice has held up very well,

retire." Khanzadian speculates.

may never

tTr t-

s about his chi-ldhood growing

upin Tigran, kan,

"Oh yes,, I always,yanted tqrbe an architecr When I was a kid. I used to go through the neigtrborhood, steal bricks and. bring,Ihefir.home to build dog houses. My dad would get rnad,": After a moment of reflection, he adds that although he aiways wanted it, it is a very difficult profession,, : "Ws spent,our -whole life in

the university. We would sleep there,

eat

there, Yr:u kaoq probably,rl worrld go home

just once

a week.'l , After receiving hisMaster

of Architectre

The

degree from National University of Iran, Hari-

.iunians

started his own practice

which soon grew to include 30 architects; he worked

ou a variety of

large

housing, industriaL conrmercial and recreational

projects,

winning

three design awards. While on ,vacation

with his wife tunians

got the call

would change his

in that

life.

asked what was going on the, g$gp;, qfidr (kf,i .,C4l4:it',,1,

dqnt comâ&#x201A;Ź beck'] Jt qas: :.". I9frQ:.', " p84.. '

: ;,i, 1:!

ili

,,, . :l , iaawflne$i&Mfo;cf;-..,:;i

"If you join us and up a production department, then we will do the construction documents. So I came

He remembers they said,

ing

set

est building

here and set up the production department. I trained the people and wrote the construction standards for the office."

-f l{ I

l-aritunians' new slartdards were implemented on the highly comptex ICuggenheim Bilbao projecr The olfice

also uses tlre latest computer technology--aerospace

software called Catia, which according to Harinrnians, few other architects use. Haritunians, 55, highlights the process

that

has given birth to the Bilbao among other intemationally acclaimed buildings. "In our office, design is done by Frank, on models. He has two senior designers working with him. "Frank does the design and they improve upon

it.

Once the conceptual model is set, the

work is passed on to the extensive in-house model-making design team." Haritunians describes the atmosphere in the office as a studio. "You work together, you drink together, you eat together. It's team work and suddenly you end up working the whole night." As Project Manager, it was Haritunians

who carried the results of this process to

Bilbao, to begin construction. There, he was greeted by contractors who deemed the building unbuildable. He took them aside and educated them. "One problem was that they were contionted with sculptural forms; how are they going to build three-dimensional shapes? The issue that kept coming up was that the building is non-constructable. We proved them wrong. You can build it, but you have to know how to build it." The building of Bilbao took four years during which time Haritunians spent one week per month

that the Guggenheim Bilbao

"is the great-

of our time." Haritunians

says

that Johnson, who "has been in our office a lot, has gone on to add: it is every architect's duty

to see this building."

Design and

architecture can rcally change the history of a city. Haritunians, of course, agrees. "I worked on this project from day one until its completion. Drawings, photographs or slides cannot express the same emotion as when you see the building. The building is so impressive and so different that no photo can do it justice." Haritunians' continuing amazement with the building is shared by his colleagues-and by Frank Gehry-who acknowledge his key role.

Architect Randy Jefferson, a Principal at Gehry's tirm sums up the consensus: "The Bilbao project was complicated with regard to a very short schedule, a tight budget, the need to establish a strong working relationship with

except

for

the Bilbao was complex because of

Actually, it's Gehry's definition, taken from

the writings of the German philosopher Goethe. To these men who bring abstract ideas

to life, design is "frozen music". But is it frozen classical music or frozen Spice Girls a visitor asks. Haritunians quick wit and open mind are easily evident. "One of those modern sculptural elements could be frozen Spice Girls," he agrees. The versatile architect with major interna-

tional accomplishments has not yet been to Armenia. He has, however, been invited to join the board of the Germany-based Research on Armenian Architecture (see AIM, July 1996). He is intrigued by its foundeq architect Armen Haghnazarian. "For a long time, as long as I've known him, Haghnazarian has been going into the villages in Iran, in Turkey and documenting the monuments that nobody knows about." What about the homeland everyone does know about? What can Diaspora

The man for whom no idea is far-

English and

German businessmen. Now with all the international attention on the museum, tourists are making detours to make a pilgrimage to the city. The exhibition

China 5000 Years is coming to the museum. "Who could believe that in the city of Bilbao you would have

China's artwork when China didn't let their work out of the country for several

of Honorary Consul of Bilbao

thousand years?" he wonders aloud. The museum commission was the outcome of competition that saw firms fiom Japan and Germany compete

Haritunians in his Santa Monica office. against Gehry. architects and engineers in Bilbao, and of "The Guggenheim's director, Thomas course, with regard to the building itself. As the Krens, told Frank that he wants a masterproject manager for the Bilbao Museum, Vano, piece," Haritunians recalls. By all accounts it with his wealth of experience and project manis. Legendary architect Philip Johnson, conagement skills was instrumental in its develop sidered the father of modern American archi-

"If

shape, geometry and technical aspects, the future home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, at about the same 300,000 square feet is complex due to the acoustical issues," Haritunians explains. Looking at incredibly thorough scale models of the concert hall, one quickly understands Haritunians' definition of design.

fetched or implausible jumps at the suggestion. His mind zooms ahead. "If you want to build something, you have got to have a budget and with an Intemational Competition your budget should be generous. All it would take is one building and that would get the people's attention. "After Bilbao, I can recommend this to any country, to any city that wants its name on the map." He continues, "Look at what the Guggenheim Bilbao has done for the city of Bilbao. The Spanish government has given Frank Gehry the title

tecture, has been quoted in Vanity Fair as say-

Concert Hall.

Yerevan?

Haritunians that design and architecture can really change the history of a city. He remembers being the only foreigner

in Bilbao

a mod-

est "maybe", but he adds, "now it's the Disney

Armenians do to rebuild Armenia? What lessons can be drawn from the Bilbao experience? How about an invited Intemational Design Competition for an important cultural center for

in Spain.

This project has proven

Was the Bilbao Guggenheim the highlight

of his career? Haritunians response is

ment, construction and ultimately its success."

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

because

they said no budget, no ministry nothing could have provided as much advertisement for the city of Bilbao as Frank did with this one building."

Who knows. Perhaps in the near future Vano Haritunians will be spending serious time overseeing the project management of the next century's major cultural building in Yerevan. And even if not in Yerevan, wherever his next project might be, it's certain to claim a place in

history.

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A m0st American afl lotm is thriuing in the cluhs ol Yereuan. BY

JOHil HUGHES; PhOIOS hY ZAUEN I(HACHII(IAN hev are likc brothcrs \\'r!-stlin!. juzzrite rr .pe

thcsL-

ilkin! tlrr' llrrrLrr,r,:e ,,1 Drrkr'

:rrttl I\lrl,'r.rrtrl Hc|hi,. irrrtl lr tL,zr.rr,'llrers r.vhose lilcs nerer rcachecl thls place bul r'vhose rnusic fills it on a Surunre r right. Pi:rrtist Vlrltrg Hlrilr1,.'1i;111 hetirr' tltc song likc a thousarlri othcrr tnusicians in u thousand otlrcr clubs on a thousand rrtlrcr Saturday

rri-!lrr.. I hc lneltru. hrllir' \illui.ltiurt r't ' Like S,'r11.',,',.'

llt Lorr..' l[r. thc

rlrrttrhctrrr-r ..11..-t

of a hrunnrock suspcnclecl in tlris wclcornccl but

linl brt.:2.:

'fhcrr. bcbop. thc nroocl srvilclrcs. ll'nrLrsic :ntiles. this docs. a rhlthnr with svttrropltion that clenronstlrtcs hos silcnec .;rtt lle plrr l r)l lllr' lltilr'.

'[he lat trotrs

pushccl lj'orn tlrc buss ol' Nieolai Velilanirur lLnd llre "srrrxrslr" o1' rlrunrrner' A lexandel A ganial r's hnrshcs suspt-:nd thc ntckd1.. H;rir';rp,,'tilr,t r ne\l lil]lti )\ i\:lli(,n.

irtr;tilit['

[)iz

his Night in Tunisia. Hc coulcl \\,or\e tllan to irare onc in Yorevtn-

lracl

har s'tlone

\t\'1 sEI) l u_\,1llEi{

9,)8

President Roberl Kocharian is among the regulars at lhis lazz cafe by a pond, where the iood is good, but the music is better. ir rr,)l lr rreu lltitr! ll.r',.Irr,r,,r'tluL(. \\r'Lk.lt l);t;rl;1i,,L. rltc citr'. t)t,\\l l)i,ll tuliu cllt. Leron l\,Illkhusran plavs the sirntc nrtrsic hc's bcen plaliuu in Yelcrau lbr -10 )('iil\. inr'lu(lil]! tll\'dils rrlrirr llt.,\!)\ i.,t I(r\ clllllr('rlt tlilnt({l llit)l Jlrzz [.;rilr..;rtt. .lir,/.,/

ni:ltt.

f)scar Petclson ri.us ltis nrusical rrod t.hen anrl is nou. still. l\4alkltirsii!11 sil\s, Btrl lrnrorru Yr'r'!'\irt)'\ I,r'.t I'llrr..r.. tltc llunilinr mrrsic hus a ll'e shncss tt.r it-as if the 1950s havc just relcht-tl herc rnr-l tlre trLrlv Amcricirrr att that !rut the sr,,,in,i: in post-Wor1c1 \!'ar ll tlS arrd liuropean living. is. ntaybc. a scolc ftrl thc sood lil'e in this ncw lcpuhlic. "lluncs stanclard to \ltstern juzz lovcrs ( lr:r\ ir )(rrnrL ;ru(lictrec l:ule. c.p.'ii:rll) t irr tlrL.

ARTS summer, perhaps exclusively) at Paplavok, the see-and-be-seen place where fashion and music mingle and only occasionally collide. When cooler nights return, so will jazz to other places, such as Syndey's. And, typical of this city and of the genre of music, what passes for 'Jazz" has the luxury of a broad definition. At "Lover's Pass" cafe the music of a Balkan violin and European pop piano might carry the jazz moniker. At the on-again, offagain Jazz Club on the Vernissage, "jazz" is defined by music that includes Eric Clapton and Bob Marley. And at a place on Nalbandian where the sign says "lazzBar" the music is in fact recorded disco. (Moscow Restaurant had been a favored spot for jazz, but is currently

is only by chance that most find the music.

closed.)

jazz

Southern California jazz club, Catalina's

Benson,

of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, George it is their modem jazz style that is

Bar and Grill, expert ears were amazed al

played nightly at Hotel Armenia. Played to the mostly empty 26 seats night after night by

that

And, while purists question the validity

Which is

especially unfortunate on a night

when Tigran Peshtmajian (vibes) and Armen Husnunts (saxophone) are playing in Tutunjian's combo. The vibraphonist and the saxophonist exhibit mature talent that is still in infancy for some of their col-

leagues.

A few

years

ago, during a performance at the famed

the quality of

sound

Husnunts' old

musicians who are too good to be playing to

Soviet-issue

tables.

phone could produce. On a night when he came to the hotel to

With a potential for a vibrant jazz scene,

saxo-

Top: Nicolai Vardanian, Bottom: Alexander Aganian.

Hotel Armenia is instead a cave where $2

hear his friends play, Hairapetian said: "l

beers keep locals away and a lack of promotion keeps hotel guests uninformed.

regret that those notes are being

Guitarist Boris Andreasian and pianist David Markanian play modern jazz and share nights at the hotel with a five-piece traditional combo "Chico and Friends" led by drummer Armen "Chico" Tutunjian who also hosts a weekly jazz radio and television show. Stuck in a tiny wing of the hotel with no lobby placards announcing their existence, it

lost. (Peshtmajian) is playing some great music. to nobody."

The leader of that band, Tutunjian, remembers the days when allegiance to certain

styles of Western music was a crime in this country.

As a teenager in the late 50s, Tutunjian and his friends would surreptitiously buy American rock and roll tiom a man on their street corner who made copies (of

of 45 rpm

recordings using

copies) x-ray film. "We used to go up to him and say 'What do you have,' " Tutunjian says. "And he would say 'I've got Bill Haley. I've got Elvis.' He could have been arrested."

During the Stalin era, Armenia and other Soviet countries had "variety" orchestras whose performances might have included a " jazz" tune or two. And, the parents of today's musicians probably listened to Glenn Miller in the days of Soviet/U.S. allied forces. "We were aware of a style of

music called jazz." Tutunjian says. And those, like him, who developed a fondness for jazz, would go to the "variety orchestra" or the state "jazz orchestra" concerts for the one or two tunes that might have some similarity to the music they craved.

Tutunjian recalls the expres-

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

sions of musicians whose Soviet stoicism battled their own urge to swing when they played jazz at state-sanctioned events. But. as isolated as much of the Soviet Union was, in jazz and other areas Armenia has always been an exception. Due largely to the considerable and active Diaspora, many in Armenia were able to obtain jazz recordings

that did not make

so easily into

other

blocked countries.

This circumstance. combined with a Khrushchev-era political notion, led to the

spread of jazz in Armenia. It seems that Khrushchev, aware of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s America, saw the oppression of Black Americans as a means of illustrating the evils of capitalism. And he saw jazz as the music of Black America. So jazz, perhaps the only art fbrm that is American-born, was used as a communist propaganda tool to further polarize continents during the cold war. (ln 1956, the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia. under the leadership of Constantin Orbelian was the tlrst such group to travel outside the Soviet Union, playing the compositions of Count Basie and Quincy Jones in addition to Armenian music.) Now, .iazz is a means of making a living in this fiee enterprise. A regularly-featured jazzman can make $100 a week in Yerevan. (Relatively t'ew are of that caliber, and there are even fewer places that pay the scale.) Here, like in any other jazz citY, the artists struggle. Here, too, they look to the US as a (mythical) jazz heaven where players are paid well and play regularly to adoring crowds who come only lor the music.

ARTS Andreasian knows the reality. The guitarist who is good enough to have played with George Duke and Freddy Hubbard at the I 978 World lazz Festival, played in Los Angeles from 1991-95. Unable to getjazzgigs, howev-

Jazz is a Spirit f

azz has

Petian-"You know how Americans like

lhing

a clear definition for

Vahag

Hairapetian. arguably Armenia's most gilied jazzman today. who carries with him the considerable credential of having played this year at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and at a series of gigs at Small's, a popular New York City jazz club. For the pianist, jazz is living. It is spending $800 a month on phone calls from the US to Yerevan to tell his buddies about havingjust seen some musical hero in person in an American jazzbar. "Music is so big, you can't just sit on it like

! rf

you are riding a horse," Hairapetian says. "Ifyou are a fake, at some point you are going to fall." It is staying up till 8 a.m. with other musicians to transcribe a Thelonius Monk tune.

"This is how we live," Hairapetian says. a lifestyle. It's not like you come in and you play your gig and you split. "A lot of people play for different reasons. Some just want to show off. Some just

"It is

own the instrument, but that doesn't mean they can play it. Others are playing because they can't not play; it's a spirit thing." The 30 year old-the son of another musician famous within and outsideArmenia, violin-

ist Garo Hairapetian-has an

encompassing

passion for bebop. Upon his retum from the states, he and his Yerevan colleagues sometimes played through the night and looked at pictures Hairapetian brought from America.

(Hairapetian, under

i!E F

the last

er, Andreasian played Armenian weddings. A friend who had gone to the US to make his name in jazz is now working at a gas station. Like their brothers and sisters throughout Europe and the US, those who play do it for

name

names shortened"-has recorded two CDs on STR, a New Orleans label.)

For his bass-playing fiiend

Simon

Dolmazian (a purist, he disdains the electric bass) Hairapetian brought higher quality strings than are obtainable here and fbr vibraphonist Tigran Peshtmajian he brought new sticks. The passion for music can be traced through the genes. Hairapetian's mother, Alice

Adamian, also played violin and has told Vahag that when he was an infant and the fam-

ily listened to the radio, baby Vahag would cry as soon as the music ended.

Babysitting consisted of going to the State Symphony where Vahag would sit while his mother rehearsed. And many in Yerevan still remember him as the child who sang commercials on television.

Like most musicians in Yerevan cafes, Hairapetian is classically trained, with a degree

composition from Yerevan State

Conservatory.

the art, if they do it well. "Jazz is very free, by its nature," says Martin Vartizarian, director of the State Radio

Jazz Band. "When

feel something

(pointing to his chest), it

jazz."

Hairapetian rememben though that one of tlre band members said to him: "When vou become a real jazzmusician, I'11 be a real old man. " Hairapetian dresses in the derby-hatted calculated casualness ofNew Orleans cool and peppers his conversation with jazz slang. These are

his cats and he likes hangin'with them. And when the cats are turned loose to play. the sound that comes free at Paplavok has the quality of a two-drink minimum $15 cover charge night in the Big Apple. Especially sweet is the sound made by Hairapetian and Nicolai Vardanian, a sound almost symbiotic. They are a day apart in age, were best buddies as boys and it was Nick's father who first taught Vahag's father the violin. lt has only been since his US trip that Hairapetian could convince his friend to put a microphone on his bass. It has been an awakening experience, evidenced by the enthusiasm in Vardanian's face when he hears his music in its glorified state. Earlier, Hairapetian had sent Vardanian a

But was something other than being raised around music or educated in it that gave

pick up-an apparatus that amplifies sound.

him the jazz aftliction. "The first time I heard Oscar Peterson. Duke Ellington. Counr Basie. I gor sick."

full

Hairapetian says. "I realized that's what I was going to do." ln 1979, when Vahag was 1[, his family went to Poland. He saw his first live band there. And he played in it. Sat in with men his father's age to play some l2-bar blues tune that he has since forgotten.

here

"Nobody had really been used to hearing the bass sound." Hairapetian says. "Nico qilled

me and said'I'm going through a revolution.' " Hairapetian says he'd like to launch a real jazz revolution in Armenia, would like to offer his buddies here more than a taste of what he enjoyed in the US.

"I would like to see American musicians coming here and telling the jazz truth," he says. "If I was rich, I would bring some cats here to play andjust hang

out."

150-member song and dance ensemble, she

had already outlasted Reza Shah Pahlavi' During the years of his son's, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's reign, Madame Yelena's group was on many occasions invited to the

royal palace to perfbrm.

Her skills did not stop with acting and

w D,"

teaching. She became involved and used her own resources when necessary to finance costumes, set design and all aspects of performances to satisfy the stretches of her own imagination as well as the content of the poem, song or historical event which she used as bases for her ballets. The Flower of Shiraz, a ballet about the Persian poet Hafez, The Fountains of Firdusi Square, another ballet which won the Queen Farah medal, The Patriotic Glrl which won special recognition by the Shah, as well as Aram Khachaturian's Gayaneh and Gegham Sarian's Gulnara were part of her repertory. But it didn't stop there. The repertory included stylized dances based on African, Mexican and other traditions. After the Iranian revolution, the number of students decreased but not her enthusiasm. Already 70 years old, she continued to stage performances.

After transferring her massive archives to in 1992, with the help of the Tehranborn poet Varand and conductor Loris 'Ileknavorian, she left her home base and the nest of her activities for Los Angeles to join Armenia

ADAM

LENA LEGE

BEPOflINg bY FABIK ffAZABIAl{

T T Then Yelena Avedisian established a baltet school in Tabriz in 1927. ir \A/ Y V was a first for lran. When she moved to Tehran in l946,children and young people of all ages, of different nationalities numbering in the hundreds leamed ballet and folk dances and pripared theatrical performances.

Bom in CoiUl#U:r 16

1910, Hegineh

Kantegian was five years old when her family fled

that city, and through Bulgaria lan&d in Odessa, LJkraine. For her. this new be$nning meant she

could feed her passion for the performing arts, and she discovered the theater. When she manied at 17, she became Yelena Avedisian. Decades later, she is remembered equally by those who were wowed by her acting and dancing skills by her students who span three

generations and who have turned her name into a household word. She has become a legend for her ability to outlast political regimes and economic upheavals. ln 1962, when she founded the

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

her daughters and grandchildren.

In California, she did not forget about her work, and neither did her students. This year, the Armenian Society of Los Angeles belatedly celebrates the artist's 65th anniversary. Sonia karapet Brambilla, a dancer and singer in her own right, and a student of Madame Yelena's, remembers. "With her guidance we not only learned to dance but also leamed about life, about our hidden abilities, we gained self esteem and self worth, we learned cooperation and team work, love, respect and friendship. Now that's what I try to teach my students. Like a mine. I discover the abilities and potentials in them, bring them to surface and then try to nurture and put them to use. I hope that my students will do the same".

l.Arren PenroRrranruce; 2.DEATH oF THE ERole BALLEI1965; 3.Wtru CunRus AzunvouR tN TEHRAN,1960; 4.FannH Dtsn PRnuvt Ar TALAR Bouonrc,1966l; 5.lN ctrY oF AenpeN;G.AFrER PERFoRMANoE,I 985; 7.Wrn Geennv Sanlnn(2r.ro FRoM LEFT) AND MnmRos Snnnu(3no FRoM LEFr), 1962;8.lr.t THE ROLE OF SALOME,193OS;9.AT A MOTHERS DAY CELEBBATION,l

997.

E,t g

;

R PA

BY ABA GH(IUTJIAN What is it called? Armenian National Instinrte (AM) Where you'll Iind ifi http://www. armenian-genocide.org What you'll find: Washington, D.C. based web site dedicated to the study, research and af irmation of the Armenian genocide' Designed for use by educators, students, human rights groups, pub-

Armenia"m; Natlonal lnstltute

lic policy makers, scholars, joumalists, and the public in general. The three main menus of the site are Educational Resources, Genocide Research, and about ANI itselt. The extensive sub-menus cover resource guides of genocide-related books and bibliographies, genocide maps, educational curricula, historical documents from

British and U.S. archives, rare photo collections' samples of contemporary press coverage, official statements by political figures,

pG$dcmrage, 8nd a guid8 to bibliogEphies are

and answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Armenian Genocide.

Upside: High quality resource for research on Armenian genocide. The author: Rouben Paul Adalian, ANI Director

What is it called? Narod Network Project Where you'll find it: http://naLrod.org & http://narod.org/storyweb'html What you'll find: An outstanding implementation of internet technology establishes global links between Armenian schools. Provides a specially designed Armenian fbnt (Arasan) and allows access to the same content both in E,nglish and Armenian versions. The Objeciive of the site is ro involve children. individually and collectively. to co*plete "activities" or assignments designed to enhance communication in Arminian and knowledge o[Armenian topics, traditions. They also

engage in treasure hunts on Arrnenian subjects on the Internet as well as orguniring virtual trips to Armenia as well as actual video-conferencing. The end resuliof these activities will be an "Armenian students' Magazine" pub lished on the Intemet and accessible to the general public.The site has been active since January '98 and cunently 25 Armenian schools around the world are participating in this project. Another excellent feature of the site is the "Story Web", with a set of stories in Westem and Eastern dialects. The stories are designed for children with original and attractive graphics. The objective is to motivate youngsters to read in Armenian. Upside: Frequently updated high quality site with highly educational features. Very user friendly. The authors: Narod Armenian Children's Cultural Institute. (See AIM,

April-May'98).

What is it called? Noyan Tapan News Agency Where you'll find it: http://noyan-tapan.am What you'll find: A Yerevan-based web site that allows subscribers to access the news in Armenian, English and Russian. The site encompasses Politics, Economy, Culture, Social news, World News, Sports, Press Digest, analysis of articles, News archives. Personal Bulletins, etc. The Agency also provides information to mass media organizations including local newspapers, radio and TV embassies and intemational organizations located in Armenia, and similar organizations abroad. Other services includes Photo gallery, Advertising services. Modem Art Gallery, National Press Clubs, reporls coming from BBC agency covering the Caucasus, etc. Upside: A site full of useful resources. Downside: Visitors outside Armenia need a good deal of patience while the pages are loading. Since the site is news oriented, viewing the news in Armenian could be technically challenging for a beginner. Some of the sub-menus are missing or outdated.

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

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P E

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THESE ARE REAL LETTERS T'O REAL PEOPLE. SEND US YOURS. YEREVAN, ARMENIA Dear

YEREVAN, ARMENIA Dear H,

Kids are doing wonderful. It feels like they have grown a full year in the past few weeks. Last week H took me to Yum Yum to the sparkle in his eyes when he approached the

gal and ordered a chocolate donut for me and

( F F I

o I E

tI =

proudly said "and I will have my regular" and

girl gave him

Living in a foreign country is a

z s o = I

very

interesting experience. It's amazing what we take for granted in the States. Hot water for example. I can't wait to stand in the shower with pelting hot water for a half an hourl! ! There are a ton of people here from the States. I run into them all of the time. Armenia and the "Armenian world" is so small and gets smaller all the time. I've spent two days trying to hook up our fax machine and install additional ATT lines in the office. Making a phone call here is the most difficult thing. Usually it takes three or four tries to get through to someone and often it is the wrong number. lt truly is my biggest complaint. I ger really annoyed when I can't make a phone call.

Street"

where I did not eat anything grilled! It's about a three-minute walk from my office, but it took me one hour to get back. On the way, I ran into someone I know and he insisted that I have a cup of coffee with him. After that half

It was a great day. On the way, we stopped in a village and I think it was the first time they ever saw an American. It was too funny. I've never had so many people stare at me at one time!! This weekend I'm going to Lake Sevan for a bit of R&R. In another small city (not quite a village) we stopped at a market to get stuff for a picnic lunch. As we were leaving, we pulled out of the spot where we had parked to return the way we came. A man with some official band on his arm came to the window and said that it was a one way street. My driver gave him 100 Dram (about twenty cents) and said, "Let's make it a two-way street." The man said "OK" and we went on our way. ONLY lN ARMENIAII I laughed for about l0 minures!

season. What

it will be apple time! I

just returned from lunch on "Grill

Yeghegnadsor.

z s

a frosted donut and a Fanta... They truly feel at home... I can't say the same for P yet. I have spent the lion's share of the past six weeks trying to make this transition smoother for her. I see a great change but she has some ways to go. She feels useless and she needs to find a real job or responsibility. I am trying to give her space and let her find herself; however, I would say P's case is still critical and can swing either way. We decided on the Pushkin School for kids. They will start September I and I think we will have more time to cater to ourselves. For me, although I can philosophize, but in a nutshell, I think this move is the besr rhing that has happened to me in 45 years, regardless of the eventual outcomeAs you know well, there is the good and there is the bad, but the bottom line is that one feels human, again. Keep in touch.

It is now peach and melon a wonderful treat! Soon

Greetings from RoA. All is well. This weekend I went on a day trip to Datev. a monastery in the mountains near Karabakh. It was really beautiful. I also went to Noravank, also an ancient church in the mountains near

treat me to donuts and you should have seen

the

saves me from getting additional gray hairswhich we know I can't afford.

by getring a

hourlpassedastore that a friend of mine owns and was obliged to sit down there and have more coffee. As I write this I am on a

When I need to make a phone call I have

complete caffeine high. Not much else to report. Hope you are

have solved rhis problem

"dialer. "

our Admininistrative Assistant dial for me. This makes my life a great deal easier and

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

well. G.

u I

A rtur Shahnazarian is head of the f\ n.*"nian Ministry of Culture's

\Department on Promotion and Dissemination of National Culture' Since his appointment a few months ago by the new Minister of Culture, Sports Roland SharoYan, Shahhanzarian has been in the news on several occasions. In July, he conducted an election of sorts among members of

and Youth,

past conductor Loris

Orchestra

looked like an official ballot,

and Gharabekian and several others complained

Tjeknavorian who had

left several months ago, as well as the Acting Director Mikael Avetisian and

National

about being listed as candidates

for a job

Chamber

director

Aram Gharabekian. and other leading names from Armenia's

musical stage. When there were complaints

U E

z U

z s = F l

: r

without ever having been consulted. This month, Shahnazarian tackled another musical giant. The long-running argument regarding the "value" and "authenticity" of Armenia's popular musical genre known as "rabiz" has been solved by Shahnazarian, who announced that rabiz cannot be performed in government-owned halls. That takes care of most public perfbrmance

the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra asking them who they would like to have

as their conductor and artistic director. The eight names included the immediate

z g F I

{) .F .g

for

Aram

Armenia and the Diaspora.

Asatrian, Armenia's most popular singer

ot nowhere 00 go? :Try thp lnternet Cafe

chat and drink coffee, or whether yol've come to spend an hour in cyberspace, the

in Yerevan. The brain-

Alexanian plans to offer.classes !o youlg

Alexanian, below, spc. ond from right, the cafe

is on the first floor of the Tekeyan Building in

Yerevan, flcross the street from the Chess House. But there is nothing about this cAfe that's typical.,The air

conditioning

uiorkF,

servicg co:nes with

Armenia. So much

and the best-selling recording artist in

Arminco's president, Antranik

cial stamp was used on what certainly

child of

spaces

about the method used, Shahnazarian called the ballot an informal ballot and not binding. Still, Avetisian said the orchestra's ofti-

Arminco staff

will

provide the

people, during the day, free

means.

of charge.

However, after 5, computer users will be charged on a per-hour basis. Not a simplo business venture, the goal is to spot, attract and nurture those young people whose brain powct is. negessiry to a growing country's hi.tech needs. At the same time, thoss with the know-how but without access to computers can surf cyberspace. The computers are placed strategically so that everyone can

,qprf in,,privacyj

At ttte opening in

.luly,

,Prime Ministei Armenr DarMnian. (h{ow; righQ as well as the ministers of Foreign

smile,'and the compuil ers are quick and fast.

Affgir$, Commuqication, Transportation

\Hhether you eit to read,

to see what the 2lst century looks like.

AIN,I SEITTEMBER 1998

and Justice were on hand, as was the press,

i i r : i,

I .P O S E

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Y,trk (above). At the conclusion of the trealment in early August, services were held fur the pontiffin New York's St. Yartanrs Cathedral, where parishioners, inlcuding Sona Khourouzian ofNew York bade him farewell. The Catholicos arrived in Ejmiatsin on August 22.

is Holiness" K*(ekin,I, Cstholicos of All Armenians had arrived in the US in April immediately prior to the 100th anniversary celebrations oft}e Armenian Apostolic Church in the US. IIe had arrived for rnedical treatrnefit needed as a result of a growth on the inside of his

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ladimir Lenin has stopped being a controversial historic and political figure and has already become tall at the recent Miss Armenia Beauty Contest inYerevan. AIM SEPTEMBER I998

design element. His bust stood

Language Lessons ByJOHN HUGHES Shnorhagalutyun. Try to say that as though it were one syllable. Try to say it as if it were as easy as saying Thank you. That's what I've been trying to do. But, too often, taking the coward's way out, I say Merci. Never have I been in a place where the need to say "Thank you" were greater and never have I had so much trouble expressing it. Surrounded by irony in this beautiful mess of a place, it is not unexpected that simply showing gratitude would require more work than most might be accustomed to.

At the market,

Sopha sells me banir---+heese.

say

Shnorhagalutyun. Sopha laughs.

At any outside table in this Summer of A Thousand Cafes, a waitress serves me garejur-beer. I say Shnorhagalutyun. She laughs.

My neighbor, Alla, asks Inchbeses lnv, I say Shnorhagalutyun. Alla repeats to her daughter

-How

are

you?.

fanity, further debilitating my ability to communicate here. Recently I was a bystander during an emotionallycharged conversation, which, typically, could take place in my presence as if I were invisible. One person was righteously angered. This much needed no language. There were tears, there were hands flailing. Then I heard a word I understood as clearly as my name. A word common to newsrooms I've done time in for more than 20 years. And, a word that is improper for general publication. An English word. I couldn't have been more proud. Not to be outdone, I now have a phrase book that is in Eastem Armenian and I am a virtual chatterbox. Well, sort of. The book was given me by a medical doctor. And so I am quite good now at saying "Would you please strip from the waist up." I learned the word for "difficult" while attemptingArmenian billiards. And the meaning of korel. That would be "scratch." Did you know that in Armenian billiards if you "scratch" (miss a ball entirely), you not only lose your tum, but you lose one ball (if you are fortunate enough to have

Hasmik the sound I've made. They both laugh.

scored one)?

I'm thinking of starting

But that isn't the most difficult part of

stand-up routine in the middle of Republic Square, a performance piece in which

the game,

theme developing here?-is

I simply stand on a a

corner and say Shnorhagalutyun.

by which I have lost dollars and rounds of drinks with uncom-

laugh.

And they should. For when

say

like . . . Well, it sounds like you'd expect from the profoundly monolingual who leamed his only language in the Deep South of sounds

mon ease.

In Armenian billiards, the balls are larger and the pockets smaller.

the United States. Oh, I've a dictionary. It's even transliterated. I was all excited about this prospect and was throwing phrases all over the city, receiving confused looks. I (reasonably) suspected this was due to the delivery. Then I learned that this dictionary of mine is for Western Armenian. Of course. I tried, for example, tobuy hav-gir when in fact I should have been asking for dsu. I finally got my eggs, but not before having to make the sound of a chicken-that would be hav. Tamara the egg woman laughed, even before I'd had a chance to bungle "shnorhagalutyun. " I'm in a country smaller than the state of Delaware. Yet

Turkish. I hear a mother tongue. And now I learn that

hear Russian, Georgian,

a bit of

Karabakhi-dialect of the even the mother language has two versions.

Neither the Eastem or the Westem, I'm told, contains pro-

tougher version of

the American game

Shnorhagalutyun. Shnorhagalut-y un.

All of Yerevan will

which-do

you see a

This reversal

size from the

American game exponentially increases the difficulty of a game that in my country is played with reasonable success by bar patrons remarkably liquored. I am sure an

ethno-sociologist might find some great metaphorical application of this truth. For me, it is simply another reason to use that English word. I was introduced to this version of billiards by a former Communist Party boss who, of course, beat me. Then he beat

me at table tennis. Then he taught me how to dance Armenian-an exercise that, performed by my feet, was not unlike the accompaning movement I made when trying to mime a hav for the egg lady. Shnorhagalutyun,I said to my dance teacher. The former party boss laughed. That's not such a bad

thing to

AIM SEPTEMBER I998

see.

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