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California Courier Online, April 7, 2005

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  • California Courier Online, April 7, 2005

    California Courier Online, April 7, 2005

    1 - Commentary
    Articles Flood the Media
    On the Eve of 90th Anniversary

    By Harut Sassounian
    California Courier Publisher
    2 - Glendale Performance by Lark Chorus Marks 50th
    Anniversary of Haigazian University by AMAA
    3 - Magician John Gabriel Performs in
    Glendale's Alex Theater on April 7
    4 - Texas Armenians to Commemorate
    Genocide Anniversary at State Capitol
    5 - Americans for Artsakh Open
    Liaison Office in Stepanakert
    6 - WAAA Summer
    Games Set for
    June 17-19
    7 - Armenian Moms & Daughters Join
    May 7 Revlon Walk for Cancer
    ************************************************** ***********************
    1 - Commentary
    Articles Flood the Media
    On the Eve of 90th Anniversary

    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California

    There was a time when it was not easy to find a subject to comment on each
    week. Back then, with the shortage of Armenian news, one wondered what to
    write about. That's not the case any more. There is so much happening these
    days that editors don't know how to fit all the news in the pages of their
    newspapers and commentators are at a loss as to which issue to focus on.
    The sheer volume of news items has been so overwhelming that it feels like
    there have been more developments pertaining to Armenians during the weeks
    leading to the 90th anniversary of the Genocide than in all the years since
    1915.
    Here are some brief comments on recent Armenian-related topics:
    -- David Phillips, the former chairman of (hopefully) now defunct Turkish
    Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC), seems still at his old tricks --
    trying to fool some Armenians into thinking that he is defending their
    interests. In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty last week,
    Phillips urged Armenia's leaders to make an explicit statement that they
    have no territorial claims on Turkey, in order to convince the Turks to
    open the border. He goes on, however, to admit that such a unilateral
    renunciation of Armenia's historic rights would not necessarily lead to the
    opening of the border as the Turks are constantly changing their demands.
    In other words, Armenians are told to give up their rights, and probably
    get nothing in return. Furthermore, rather than admitting that he bungled
    his work and caused such a backlash that he seriously damaged the prospects
    of Armenians and Turks reconciling anytime in the near future, Phillips
    uses self serving language to describe TARC's efforts as a "success."
    -- Before leaving his position as Deputy Secretary of Defense and moving to
    the chairmanship of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz met last month with a
    group of Turkish parliamentarians in his Pentagon office. According to a
    report of the meeting published in Milliyet, when Selam Yegert, a Turkish
    parliamentarian described how his ancestors were "massacred" by the
    Armenians, Wolfowitz, being such a "sensitive" man, started crying. It is
    amazing that Wolfowitz never shed a single tear for the 1.5 million victims
    of the Armenian Genocide, not to mention the thousands of American and
    Iraqi dead, caused by his warmongering policies, but a single Turk's
    alleged death makes him cry hysterically. Such a sensitive man had no
    business being in the Pentagon! That may be why he is no longer employed
    there. The Europeans probably supported his move to the World Bank, just to
    get this "sensitive" trigger-happy man away from the Pentagon!
    -- The leaders of Azerbaijan must be feeling very lonely these days. The
    whole world is talking about the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
    and no one seems to be too pre-occupied with any issues dealing with
    Azerbaijan. The Livingston Group, the lobbying firm hired by Turkey, which
    recently signed a two-year $600,000 contract with Azerbaijan, must have
    advised their gullible Azeri clients to join the Turkish frenzy over the
    "Approaching Armenian Tsunami." The Azeri Lider TV announced on March 23
    that Azerbaijan would beef up the security of all of its embassies, as
    "Armenians are plotting bloody terrorist acts worldwide on April 24." One
    would hope that Azeris do not attack their own embassies on that day, and
    blame the Armenians for it.
    -- Another sign of Azerbaijan's desperation for any kind of publicity was a
    recent news item disseminated by the Azeri "Assa-Irada," which was
    headlined: "Armenians in US Threaten Bush." Regrettably, this scandalous
    Azeri media outlet has taken one of my columns and completely distorted it.
    It claims that I wrote: Unless Pres. Bush recognizes the Armenian Genocide
    on the 90th anniversary, Armenians would "resort to severe protest actions
    against him." Assa-Irada also falsely claimed that I had said: John
    Danforth, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, had written a letter to the UN
    Secretary General asking him to include the Armenian Genocide on the agenda
    of the UN General Assembly. Of course, I did not say any of these things in
    any of my columns. Once again, as in the case of the Turks, the Azeris are
    scaring themselves by inventing imaginary threats and then making plans to
    fight these non-existent dangers.
    The "Approaching Armenian Tsunami" turns out to be a flood caused by the
    Turkish and Azeri media. They may end up drowning in their own mudslinging!
    ************************************************** ************************
    2 - Glendale Performance by Lark Chorus Marks 50th
    Anniversary of Haigazian University by AMAA
    GLENDALE - America's observance of the 50th anniversary of Haigazian
    University, in Beirut, began with a performance of the St. John Passion, by
    Johann Sebastian Bach, March 5, featuring the orchestra and chorus of the
    Lark Musical Society.
    The evening was sponsored by the Armenian Missionary Association of America
    (AMAA), and marked the tenth year of Lark/AMAA joint productions during the
    Lenten Period.
    To help the audience of 500 to fully understand the solemn work, there was
    a pre-concert lecture by musicologist Karenn Chutjian.
    The other principal solo parts are "Jesus" performed by baritone Steve
    Pence, and "Pilate" performed by bass Stephen Grimm. There are also eight
    solo arias which are elaborate contemplative compositions for solo voice
    and instrumental accompaniment. On the night, these arias were performed
    by Alenoush Yeghnazar, soprano; Shoghig Koushakjian, mezzo-soprano; Steve
    Kronauer, tenor; and Ara Kourouyan, bass. Throughout the concert, the
    audience was able to follow the German text, by reading the translations
    both in Armenian and English on large overhead screens, or in the elaborate
    program booklet.
    During the original performance of the Passion, a sermon was incorporated
    between Parts I and II of the music as part of the Good Friday services.
    This tradition was followed and Rev. Joseph Matossian, minister to the
    Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA), who also pronounced
    the Invocation, at the start of the evening's program. Here, Rev. Matossian
    gave an inspired message summarizing the central message of the "Passion".
    Fittingly, for an evening devoted to Haigazian University, the orchestra
    and chorus were led by Haigazian graduate Vatsche Barsoumian, Lark's
    Musical Director.
    The evening's program began with a welcome by Dr. Nazareth Darakjian,
    chairman of the organizing committee, who acknowledged the presence of
    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy, Andrew Torigian
    Executive Director of the AMAA, and Dr. Hrair Aharonian president of the
    AMAA.
    Dr. Darakjian thanked all the participants in the project and in particular
    Maestro Barsoumian for his endless dedication energy and patience in
    preparing the musicians and singers . He then introduced
    Joyce Abdulian, a hard-working member of the Women's Auxiliary of Haigazian
    University, who spoke briefly about the University. Mrs. Abdulian
    emphasized the important role that Haigazian University has
    played in the Armenian diaspora during its first half-century and cited the
    example of Maestro Barsoumian.
    The concert was performed in the Sanctuary of the Glendale Presbyterian
    Church. A reception followed the performance, organized by some of the
    members of the concert committee and the Haigazian Women's Auxiliary.
    ************************************************** ***************
    3 - Magician John Gabriel Performs in
    Glendale's Alex Theater on April 7
    GLENDALE - John Gabriel will be appearing April 7 at Glendale's Alex
    Theatre in Glendale at 8 p.m. and on May 15 at 5 p.m. at The Fullerton
    College Theatre. Gabriel guarantees a powerful and memorable performance
    enjoyed by all ages and not to be missed.
    While most kids were sitting in front of the television, eyes locked on
    cartoons, John Gabriel was making magic. Today, his fascination with the
    art of illusion has made him a spectacle to watch on Network Television.
    >>From opening an NBC television special at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, to
    spectacular live shows. His romantic double levitation was also featured on
    NBC and was named by the Industry as "The Greatest Illusion of the Year."
    He has filmed a well-known U.S. commercial for HONDA and an International
    commercial for the McCain Corporation in France and Canada.
    Despite his age, John has put his magic to work and has already raised over
    $100,000 for various non-profit organizations. Some include the Ararat Home
    of Los Angeles, Montebello Family YMCA and Armenian Mesrobian School along
    with many others.
    "I feel it is important to know that you can use your own opportunities in
    life to help others as much as you can," he explains.
    In Branson, Missouri, he was hailed as "Magic's hottest new star", and the
    youngest headliner in the state. Successfully performing a solid
    record-breaking 200 shows within three months of time. "It was a ton of
    work, but we got through it. Most of all a great experience." Gabriel says.
    Among many original illusions he has created and produced in his shows,
    some include a 5,000 lbs. elephant disappearing live on stage within
    seconds! He is able to take a Black and White dog and merge them together,
    to become a Dalmatian! Plus, Gabriel risks his life submerged within 2000
    pounds of water. "I call it Watertight, it took two years of development,
    and I'm proud to say it has never been attempted like this before in the
    history of magic."
    All this and more was also featured on his own one-hour television special,
    which aired on the Charter Network. The show's premiere received such a
    great response that the network decided to air a half-hour special twice a
    week, every week, for nine months straight.
    A self-taught charismatic performer, with a must see show, Gabriel has been
    touring his show through Southern California to excited sold-out crowds,
    some including the city of Montebello, Downey and Palm Springs.
    Tickets are going fast! For best seating, call the Alex Theatre at (818)
    243-2539 or the Fullerton College at (323) 440-7297.
    Along with future worldwide touring and TV specials in the works, Gabriel
    has big plans and says, "My drive is to continue creating new approaches to
    the art of Magic, Theater, and Film."
    For further information and other tour dates, visit
    www.johngabrielmagic.com.
    ************************************************** ************************
    4 - Texas Armenians to Commemorate
    Genocide Anniversary at State Capitol
    AUSTIN, TX - Armenian-Americans of Texas from Dallas, Houston, College
    Station, San Antonio, El Paso and Austin will gather on April 23 at the
    steps of the State Capitol in Austin, to bring their story to light in
    speeches, prayers, music and poetry, pay homage to their dead, and declare
    their fellowship with genocide survivors of all ethnicities and races. The
    event is part of a unified international effort on this weekend led by the
    descendants of Armenians who were scattered across the world.
    To this day, the Turkish government denies this Genocide ever took place.
    Furthermore, it has been conducting a cover-up since 1915 with an
    image-cleansing campaign to erase and obfuscate the facts. The evidence,
    however, remains irrefutable. It includes official Ottoman records, reports
    of foreign ambassadors at the time in Turkey, The Red Cross, thousands of
    eyewitness accounts including American and German missionaries, medical
    doctors, photographs of the concentration camps and film footage of the
    death marches into the Syrian desert where thousands of human skeletons
    still exist. On March 7, 2000, a petition was signed by 126 of the world's
    preeminent genocide scholars, including Nobel Laureate for Peace Elie
    Wiesel, calling on the Turkish government to recognize the incontestable
    fact of the Armenian Genocide. Many countries around the world, including
    France, Canada, Russia, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Argentina, Greece,
    Slovakia, Lebanon, Belgium, and thirty-seven of the United States have
    recognized these events as a Genocide by legislation or proclamation. Texas
    is still pending.
    ************************************************** ************************
    5 - Americans for Artsakh Open
    Liaison Office in Stepanakert
    WASHINGTON DC - The Stepanakert office of the Americans For Artsakh (AFA)
    organization has begun its operations in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
    Artsakh.
    AFA application for registration in Nagorno Karabakh followed a July 2004
    resolution of the AFA Board of Directors to open a representation in
    Artsakh. By another Board decision, Elvina Azarian was appointed director
    of the AFA Liaison Office in Artsakh. A native of Stepanakert, Elvina
    volunteered her time and skills to advance AFA's innovative projects in
    Artsakh.
    Working in close cooperation with both the NKR government and the public,
    the AFA Liaison Office in Artsakh will be responsible for project
    implementation, regular updates on humanitarian and development needs of
    Artsakh, and on-site support for visiting members.
    In separate meetings with AFA President Zaven Khanjian and Executive
    Director Hrant Jamgochian, NKR President Arkady Ghoukasian voiced his
    strong support for the AFA objectives and pledged close cooperation.
    In May 2004, AFA sponsored two seismologists from Nagorno Karabakh to
    participate in the "2004 Disaster Resistant California" international
    conference in Sacramento, CA. Since last year, Liaison Office director
    Azarian has represented AFA in the CIMAP - a local committee tasked with
    implementation of medical assistance projects for Artsakh's children and
    veterans.
    This month AFA launched a first-ever food market study in Artsakh. AFA
    Board of Directors is currently reviewing a number of innovative projects
    in democracy development and education for their possible implementation.
    Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
    established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy, foster economic
    development, protect the cultural identity and promote the heritage of the
    people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors include: Zaven
    Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice President; Savey
    Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and Edward Chobanian. To
    learn more visit: www.AmericansForArtsakh.org
    ************************************************** ************************
    6 - WAAA Summer
    Games Set for
    June 17-19
    FRESNO, Calif. - The year 2005 marks the 35th year of athletic competition
    hosted by the Western Armenian Athletic Association. The Armenian Summer
    Games have long provided an exciting opportunity for athletes of Armenian
    descent to showcase their athletic skills. This year, the Games will
    include men's basketball, women's volleyball, tennis, and track and field.
    The Games this year will be held June 17, 18 and 19 at the Buchanan High
    School complex in Clovis, Calif.
    This modern campus has outstanding facilities, including a large stadium
    with an all-weather track, where the track and field competition will take
    place on June 18. Track and field will be open to people of all ages and be
    contested in age groups. Tennis will also be held on Saturday and will
    include singles and doubles competition by age groupings. Two on-campus
    gymnasiums will be home to the basketball and volleyball tournaments.
    WAAA President Van Der Mugrdechian and Vice President Marty Bohigian are
    looking forward to another successful athletic competition. This year's
    Summer Games will be dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Ara
    Hairabedian, an avid sportsman and dedicated supporters of these games for
    many years. Several activities are being planned in conjunction with the
    sports event to help make this a weekend everyone will enjoy. Entry forms
    and details will be available soon.
    For more information, contact Der Mugrdechian at (559) 298-2372 /
    [email protected] or Marty Bohigian at 559-297-7887 /
    [email protected].
    ************************************************** *************************
    7- Armenian Moms & Daughters Join
    May 7 Revlon Walk for Cancer
    LOS ANGELES - - Alice Chakrian is walking in memory of her mother-in-law,
    who died last year of breast cancer. Lucy Gulvartian for her aunt, another
    breast cancer casualty. Tamar Mahshigian for her close friend, Elaine, a
    breast cancer survivor.
    Armenian women are being called upon to register in large numbers for this
    year's Revlon Run/Walk for Women, to be held Saturday, May 7, just before
    Mother's Day, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The cost to participate
    is a $25 donation. Registration online is at www.revlonrunwalk.com.
    "We all have our community work - helping our school, church,
    organizations. But this walk to raise money for cancer research is such an
    important cause, one that touches every woman, regardless of ethnicity or
    religious affiliation. So we thought that it would be a fantastic idea to
    join our strength as Armenian women and walk together for this very
    emotional cause," says Eileen Keusseyan,
    captain of Team 813, Armenian Moms & Daughters. "Ultimately, we would like
    to see this become an annual event for Armenian women, growing larger and
    stronger."
    This year alone more than 211,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with
    breast cancer, more than 22,200 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and
    more than 57,200 will be diagnosed with other women's cancers. More than
    69,300 will lose their lives to these deadly diseases.
    The Revlon Run/Walk for Women was launched by the Entertainment Industry
    Foundation in 1993 and since then has raised an impressive $32 million to
    help fund innovative cancer research, counseling and outreach programs.
    Last year, more than 50,000 women, men and children participated in the
    3.1-mile run/walk. "The first time I joined I felt the power of unity among
    people with the same inner pain that I felt when my mother-in-law,
    Arshalouse Chakrian, was diagnosed with breast cancer," says Alice
    Chakrian, who has registered to walk with her 10-year-old daughter, Rita.
    "The Revlon Walk became the beginning of the healing of my pain because I
    felt I was making a difference by contributing to help find a cure."
    Each year I participate in the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer research I am
    filled with greater hope and faith that we can make a difference for future
    generations," says Lucy Gulvartian, who will walk with her 10-year-old
    daughter, Lar.
    One person who lives with hope and faith is Lucy Hagopian, whose husband is
    the principal of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park,
    Calif.
    "Congratulations dear Eileen and Alice. You have created a venue for the
    Armenian woman and our community to merge forces in a vision for a cancer
    free society. As a woman who has survived a first encounter with breast
    cancer almost 20 years ago, and a second threat in 1999, I want to speak
    about hope," says Lucy Hagopian.
    "When I was given the statistics, I did not know where I would end up. I
    felt that it was no use thinking about all that so I focused on health and
    thoughts of well being. I found comfort, a source of strength and hope in
    The Scriptures, especially in the healings of Christ and in the Psalms. I
    asked the Lord for healing. Medicine and doctors would do their part, I had
    to do mine, and Nature, which is sacred, would take its course. And here I
    am today."
    Hagopian provides a few tips on staying healthy.
    "Start your mammograms early; don't wait until you're 35. "I was only 31
    when I was first diagnosed," says Hagopian. "I have a mammogram once a
    year."
    "Be sure to include an array of naturally colorful foods in your diet:
    greens, reds, orange, purple, yellow, and everything in between. Remember
    to have your greens and grains regularly. Find a form of exercise that you
    can live with, even if it's walking around your neighborhood three times a
    week and going somewhere in nature on weekends. Find a source of spiritual
    strength." Reading inspirational material has been a great help to me,"
    Hagopian recommends.
    For those who would like to join the Armenian Moms & Daughters team,
    registration can be done online at www.revlonrunwalk.com. (click on the
    blue box in the upper right corner that says "Register Now!).
    For further information about Team 813 Armenian Moms & Daughters, contact
    Eileen Keusseyan at 818-404-5686 and Alice Chakrian at 818-388-6734.
    ************************************************** ************************
    The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
    Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
    through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
    to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
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