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TOP STORIES
03/11/2005
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1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder
Mikaelian
2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials
3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements
4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program
5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans
6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works
7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet
8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure
Improvements
9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race
10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy
1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder
Mikaelian
Activities include ARF youth conference, unveiling of memorial
SOPHIA (ARF Press Office)--A series of events were organized in Bulgaria's
capital of Sofia March 8-11, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation co-founder Kristapor Mikaelian's tragic death.
These included a seminar dedicated to the strengthening of Armenian-Bulgarian
ties, the official dedication of a bronze bust of Mikaelian, as well as a
memorial stone at his grave where a requiem service was held.
At the same time, representatives of ARF youth and student organizations
convened their annual conference of central executive representatives in
Sophia
on March 8-9, to coincide with the ceremonies.
Twenty seven youth from throughout thirteen countries, including Armenia,
Canada, France, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States, during
their conference, targeted the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and
political understanding of the Armenian struggle as well as implementation of
goals. The ARF youth analyzed current issues, including the situation of
Javakhk--a mostly Armenian-populated region in Georgia that is economically,
socially, and politically neglected.
Six participating youth entered the ranks of the ARF, taking their oath at
Mikaelian's grave.
The youth, along with hundreds of Armenians from Armenian, Mountainous
Karabagh, Javakhk, and throughout the diaspora gathered at Mikaelian's grave
for the official unveiling of a bronze bust, as well as a memorial stone made
of materials imported from Armenia.
Speakers included ARF Bulgaria representative Sahag Tchalekian, ARF Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian, and Bureau member Albert Ajemian. The
ceremonies ended with the singing of ~SMshag Panvor.~T
One of the Armenian revolutionary movement's most influential figures,
Mikaelian was killed on Bulgaria's Mount Vitosha, along with his friend
Vramshapuh Kentirian, while testing a bomb intended to be used during an
assassination plot against Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II--the man who
spearheaded the massacres of the 1890s, which claimed the lives of up to
300,000 Armenians.
2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials
--'We support dialogue that's not mere ceremony but actually seeks a
solution'
GLENDALE--In recent weeks, official and semi-official Turkish sources have
made announcements regarding initiating dialogue with the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, entrusting the study of the Armenian genocide issue
to historians, and similar matters. Asbarez approached ARF Bureau member Viken
Hovsepian, asking him to provide further clarification.
Question: What's your interpretation regarding Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's recent announcement that the matter of the Armenian genocide should
be left up to historians?
Answer: Any offer of dialogue from Turkish governmental circles that accepts
as its basis the actuality of the Armenian genocide would be welcomed. Prime
Minister Erdogan's proposal, or any similar tactic that attempts to cast doubt
on the authenticity of the Armenian genocide, is simply hurtful for the
Armenian people, which to this day continues to endure the consequences of the
Genocide.
The Armenian genocide is matter that has long been proven and subjected to
intense analysis, on an international level; and now is the time for immediate
political action and resolution. Any deviation from that course is merely a
delay tactic or the wasting of time. As much as we Armenians have a vital
interest in the just resolution of our Question, so too should the Turkish
statebased on its own political and economic interestsseek a final solution to
the Armenian Question.
Q: What would be the ARF's role in the likely event of an Armeno-Turkish
dialogue?
A: The ARF has often stated that it supports and appreciates the function of
dialogue and negotiation for the resolution of any political matter. In this
case as well the ARF would play a positive role, if it has the necessary
assurance that what would take place are substantive negotiations that seek a
comprehensive resolutionand not mere ceremony that seeks to leave an
impression
of dialogue.
That sort of imitation of dialogue greatly benefited the Turkish government
during recent such initiatives, in which some Armenian individuals (and an
Armenian organization) unfortunately became willing instruments. What's
imperative today, however, is public relations by Turkish governmental circles
so that they may be able to come to terms with their past, for the sake of a
brighter and morally reconcilable future.
Q: Turkish businessman Kaan Soyak, while in Armenia, also made a statement
regarding dialogue. What's your view regarding that?
A: I appreciate Mr. Soyak's affirmations regarding the ARF and its role,
especially when we take into account the paranoia and extremism that exist in
Turkish governmental circles toward the ARF. As already noted, our
organization
is ready to play a positive part in any process that seeks to achieve frank
and
comprehensive solutions.
Let me add that to date our organization has received no official invitation
or proposal for dialogue from the Turkish government.
3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements
--Prominent elected officials show unified support as campaign gains momentum
GLENDALE--With less than thirty days to go before the April 5 Glendale City
elections, prominent elected officials and organizations have aligned their
support for Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian for the Glendale City Clerk~Rs race,
demonstrating unified support behind his candidacy.
Elected officials who have endorsed Ardy include:
US Representative Adam Schiff (D-29)
California State Senator Jack Scott (D-SD 21)
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti (CD 13)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca
Glendale City Councilmember Rafi Manoukian
Glendale Community College Board Member Victor King
California State Board of Equalization Chairman John Chiang
Kassakhian was the first candidate to announce his candidacy with the promise
of ushering in a new era where the City Clerk will play a proactive and
dynamic
role as the gateway to city government for Glendale citizens.
"Ardy has the work ethic, integrity, and management ability to make sure the
city clerk's office operates in a sound and professional manner," said US
Representative Adam Schiff. "I hope Glendale voters will join me in supporting
Ardy Kassakhian for City Clerk on April 5th."
The increasing number of endorsements demonstrates the growing momentum
behind
the Ardy Kassakhian campaign. Ardy's program to improve the clerk's office
includes: Creating Accessibility and Accountability; Improving Outreach and
Education; and Incorporating New Technology.
Glendale city elections will occur on April 5. Voters who have registered to
vote by mail will receive their ballots prior to that date. More information
about the campaign can be found at
<http://www.ardyforclerk.org/>www.ardyforclerk.org.
4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program
GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR)
announced this week that the application period for the 2005 ANCA Leo
Sarkisian
Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC has opened. This year marks the
19th anniversary of this competitive and prestigious internship program,
considered to be one of the best Armenian American programs of its kind.
Named after long-time ANCA activist Leo Sarkisian, the eight-week intensive
public affairs internship brings together numerous young Armenian Americans
from across the country to gain first-hand experience in the American
political
system, while working on issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
In addition to working at the ANCA national headquarters, just blocks away
from
the White House, interns also participate in a bi-weekly lecture series
featuring a wide variety of guest speakers, including US government officials
and Armenian American leaders and professionals from various fields. Interns
are also exposed to legislative offices and meetings with national figures as
part of the ANCA's on-going advocacy work on behalf of the Armenian American
community.
The ANCA internship program is truly a unique opportunity for young Armenian
Americans to gain an insider's perspective of the intricate and complex
political world in Washington, DC, while at the same time, gaining a fresh
understanding of the current issues facing the Armenian American community,"
explained Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. "The
lecture series and Washington's stimulating professional and social
environment
allow interns to spend an enriching and fun summer working to advance the
Armenian Cause," stated Dadaian.
The 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship program will begin on June 20 and run
through August 12 this year. Applications for the internship are available on
the ANCA website, through the ANCA-WR headquarters, as well as other community
outlets. Applications must be postmarked by April 15 to be considered for the
2005 program.
For more information, or to request applications, please contact the ANCAWR
headquarters at 818.500.1918 or at [email protected].
5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans
GLENDALE--Over 100 supporters and friends gathered at the home of Alec and Dr.
Alenoush Baghdasaryan last Wednesday evening to help raise funds for the
Armenian National Committee of Glendale (ANCG). All 12 ANCG endorsed
candidates
were also on hand to meet members of the community and answer questions. Those
in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to mingle with the candidates
and ask them questions. In return, the candidates had an opportunity to
discuss
their platforms and visions for the city without worrying about a 30 second
warning from a moderator.
"Our organization's strength is in our grassroots activism and support
network. We have a strong, hardworking board that is constantly working for
the
ArmenianAmerican community, but without supporters like the Baghdasaryans, who
opened their home to us, and the over 100 people who attended the event, we
would never be able to get as much done as we currently do," remarked ANCG
Treasurer George Garikian.
The ANCG is a grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to informing and
educating the ArmenianAmerican community and representing the community's
interest in the City of Glendale. Funds raised at the March 2 event will be
used to pay for the ANCG current "Get Out The Vote" campaign and voter
education show. Some proceeds will also be used to assist ANCG endorsed
candidates in their election bids. The ANCG endorsed candidates are: Larry
Miller, Ara Najarian, Anahid Oshagan and Bob Yousefian for City Council;
Ardashes Kassakhian for City Clerk; Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian, and
Chuck Sambar for School Board; Anita Gabrielian, Armine Hacopian, and Victor
King for College Board; and Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer.
6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works
LOS ANGELESArtist Raffi Adalian~Rs solo exhibition will be featured at Harvest
Gallery from March 11-20.
~SAdalian relies on material, specifically a range of material that hovers
between the painterly and the sculptural,~T says acclaimed art critic Peter
Frank.
Born in Armenia, Adalian is a graduate of Yerevan~Rs Music Conservatory. In
1976, in his first solo exhibit, Adalian presented 60 paintings at the
Contemporary Art Gallery of Yerevan. His work has also been featured at the
Leon Ragain Gallery in Lyon, France, the Grand Pallet Hall in Paris, as
well as
in numerous galleries around the world including in Austria, Canada, Germany,
Russia, and the United States.
In 2001, Adalian established The Parking Lot--an art studio and outdoor
exhibition space for dozens of artists on the grounds of Avis Roto Die
Manufacturing in Los Angeles. ~SAdalian revels in the texture not just of
paint,
but of paper and cloth and whatever other material lends itself to his hungry
eye and restless hand,~T adds Frank.
The opening reception is on Friday, March 11, 6:00-10:00 p.m. Adalian~Rs
exhibit will be on display through Sunday, March 20. Gallery hours are
Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
For general information about the exhibit, please call Harvest Gallery at
(818) 546-1000 or visit
<http://www.harvestgallery.com/>www.harvestgallery.com.
Exhibition Dates: March 11-20, 2005
Harvest Gallery: 938 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA
7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet
LOS ANGELES--The Inaugural Gala-Banquet of the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles
(AALA) is set for Friday, April 1, at the Deukmejian Hall of the Ararat Home
Complex in Mission Hills.
The Inaugural Gala is the Academy's first major public event, aimed at
presenting a community-wide audience the goals and mission of the Academy's
Board of Directors, while at the same time raising funds for the ongoing
planning, development, and major fundraising activities of the Board. The Gala
Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Noubar Afeyan, CEO of Flagship Ventures in
Cambridge Mass., and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Dr.
Afeyan is one of the principle forces behind the Armenian 2020 Project.
The AALA is a unique Armenian academic institution aiming to serve its
student
clientele with a combination of top-level academics and a rich Armenian
studies
experience. It will distinguish itself by its focus on a rigorous college-prep
experience on par with that offered at the best public and private high
schools
in Southern California. The Academy is an independent, non-affiliated
college-preparatory high school that will serve students in grades 9 through
12.
At the heart of the Academy's mission is its dual curriculum program. Not
only
will students choose from an array of traditional prep-school courses and
electives, they will also have a rich selection of Armenian subjects, from
language and literature to history, culture and the arts. Part of the
Academy's
mission is to create an interactive learning environment by infusing
traditional classwork with hands-on workshops and discussion sessions
conducted
by distinguished scientists, artists, and activists. The coursework will
emphasize the importance of innovation and critical thinking skills.
The Gala will feature the premier of the Academy PR video highlighting Dr.
Vartan Gregorian, and the live performances of three commissioned artistic
works. "Just as the Academy is a unique institution, based on originality and
innovation, so will the artistic program of our Gala consist of commissioned,
original works: a music piece, a dance piece, and a theatrical performance"
says Aram Kouyoumdjian, program director for the Gala. An exhibition of
Armenian artwork will also be showcased.
For more information, ticket reservations or event sponsorship, please call
the Gala Committee at 818-293-0010, or e-mail at
[email protected].
The cocktail hour starts at 7 pm, followed by dinner at 8 pm, and the
presentations at 9 pm. Individual tickets are $150.
8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure
Improvements
GLENDALE--The Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) will host a
benefit concert on Sunday, March 13, to raise funds for infrastructure
improvements in Ghapan, Armenia. All proceeds from the concert will be used to
rehabilitate Ghapan's aging school facilities, where students struggle to
learn
in aging classrooms that have unreliable electricity and decayed plumbing.
The concert, sponsored by Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, will be held at
Hoover High School Auditorium, and will feature some of the best-known
Armenian
artists in Southern California, including Harout Pamboukjian, Razmik
Mansourian, Hovannes Shahbazian, Anahit Nersisian, Nersik Ispirian, Merujan
Margarian, and Ararat Petrosian. The International Dance School, directed by
Vardan and Siranoush Gevorkian, will also perform during the concert.
Arpi Andonian, who serves on the Board of Directors of GGSCA and is a Vice
President at Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, helped arrange the sponsorship,
and is the concert's principal organizer. "We are very proud to be able to
organize this effort," Andonian said. "I hope that our community will take the
opportunity to attend this great concert, have a lot of fun, and help us raise
the money we need to rebuild Ghapan's aging schools."
In December 2002, the City of Glendale unanimously adopted resolution 17023,
establishing a sister city link with the small southern town of Ghapan in
Armenia. Subsequently, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association was
established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in order to foster relations
between the two cities.
Since its inception, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association has
completed
a variety of projects in Ghapan, including the rehabilitation of classrooms,
bathrooms, libraries, and study halls in several of Ghapan's schools. The
organization is planning major projects in 2005, including the launch of
efforts to rehabilitate Ghapan's hospital, which includes the region's only
maternity ward and operating room.
Sunday, March 13, 2005 @ 6:00pm
Hoover High School Auditorium
651 Glenwood Road, Glendale CA
Ticket price: $20
For tickets, please call (818) 265-0506 or (818) 482-6131
9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race
GLENDALE--Art for Oshagan, a silent auction to benefit Anahid Oshagan's bid
for
the Glendale City Council, netted more than $8,000 over the weekend. The
event,
held at Harvest Gallery from March 4 to 6, drew nearly 200 participants on
opening night when 26 of 30 artworks were auctioned off.
"The success of the auction clearly points to the community's faith in
Anahid's campaign," said Anahid Oshagan campaign manager, Karo Torrossian. "I
have never seen an art fundraiser at the local level bring in so many people
and make so much money. This campaign has a tremendous amount of momentum. It
is headed for success."
Last week, the campaign got an important boost when Congressman Adam Schiff
(D-29) endorsed Anahid's bid for the City Council. Rafi Manoukian, the
Glendale
ANC, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, and the California School
Employees Association have also endorsed Anahid. During the January-February
time period, her campaign was third in fundraising in a field of 19
candidates.
The auction included paintings, drawings, sketches, mixed media,
three-dimensional works, and photographs from 20 different artists. All works
were donated, as was the gallery space. Eric Grigorian delivered the surprise
of the auction, donating his 2003 World Press Photo award-winning photograph.
Nearly all of the participating artists sold their works.
"There are many important issues in Glendale and one of them is arts and
culturethis is one of my priorities in this race," said Anahid Oshagan.
"Art is
a universal language and it is a force that can unite many parts of Glendale's
diverse mosaic of communities," Oshagan added.
"Part of the success was the community's obvious and strong support for
Anahid. Another part was the quality of the art donated," said Aris Ajand,
artist, and owner of Harvest Gallery. "The artists really stepped up and
delivered great works. And the atmosphere of the evening was great: there were
at least 3 bidding wars."
Other local artists are also stepping up to help Anahid's campaign.
Well-known
and highly acclaimed artist, author and actor Vahe Berberian will be
performing
one of his widely successful monologues, Yevayln Revisited, in a benefit show
on March 22 at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale. Actress Lory Tatoulian is slated
to perform one of her cutting edge stage sketches at another fundraising event
on Wednesday, March 23. For more information please see
<http://www.oshagan2005.com/>www.oshagan2005.com.
Oshagan announced her candidacy for the April 5 city elections in January.
Her
vision to bring harmony and mutual understanding to the diverse communities of
Glendale, coupled with her political experience will bring a fresh new
perspective and become a unifying force for all of Glendale.
Anahid's background is ideally suited for the city council. Coming from a
family that instilled in her the values of hard work and helping her
community,
Anahid has developed a solid history of community involvement and service.
As a
student leader at CSUN, Anahid was instrumental in aiding the 1988 Armenian
earthquake relief effort and raising awareness of Armenia's bid for
independence. After graduation, she worked to aid victims of domestic violence
and mentored juvenile inmates. She has taught English as a Second Language to
immigrants and spearheaded fundraising efforts for a program to immunize
children in Armenia and Karabagh.
For the past three years, Anahid was Congressman Adam Schiff's District
Representative working as the liaison to the City of Glendale and the
Armenian-American communities throughout the 29th Congressional district.
Anahid now works as a non-profit attorney. If elected, she will be the first
Armenian-American woman to serve on the Glendale City Council.
Donations may be made to "Friends of Anahid Oshagan" and sent to Friends of
Anahid Oshagan, P.O. Box 4820, Glendale, CA 91222-0820. Political
contributions
are not tax-deductible. Please see
<http://www.oshagan2005.com/>www.oshagan2005.com for more information.
10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy
Unsilencing the Past: Track Two Diplomacy and Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
by David L. Phillips
By Charles Garo Ashjian, JD, PhD
This is a book about third party mediation (ie, Track Two Diplomacy) in a
world filled with "intractable conflicts that confound traditional diplomacy."
Whereas, according to Phillips, the State Department "inculcates a risk-averse
culture that discourages initiative and stifles creativity;" (see p. 135)
informal third party mediation, or Track Two Diplomacy, embodies a flexibility
that compensates for such inherent constraints on government officials.
Thereby, private citizens may succeed or make inroads where officials seem
only
likely to fail. This book depicts the author's own experiences as chair and
facilitator of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC)--the
fulcrum for the Track Two Program on Turkey and the Caucasus. The Commission
was quietly financed by the State Department and initiated during the Clinton
Administration and formally established in 2001 and, at least, tacitly
approved
by the governments of Armenia and Turkey. Presumably based on the author's
experiences, the book concludes with the offering of practical principles
which may be of utility to those involved in such future endeavors.
However, even though the author attempts to depict important accomplishments
as the direct result of the efforts of TARC, there is no actual resolution of
the conflicts and issues which, nevertheless, still exist between the
governments and peoples of Turkey and Armenia. Actually, the Track Two
activity
herewith merely aggravated and compounded the situation. Contrary to the
insinuations of success by the author, the overall activity of TARC was a
failure. The book unwittingly or transparently corroborates and underlines
this
failure. For instance, in the Preface, Elie Wiesel asks the question: "Has it
been fruitful?" Wiesel refrains from giving an answer. The author, Phillips,
nearly gives an answer when, summarizing and referring to the concluded
activity of TARC, he states: "Track Two rarely results in a breakthrough." The
Bush administration never reacted with anything but a courteous nod toward
this
activity.
The major obstacle to rapprochement or reconciliation between the governments
and peoples of Turkey and Armenia is the matter of the Armenian Genocide. The
TARC addressed this matter by seeking and obtaining a legal opinion,
purportedly objective and unbiased, which was titled "A Legal Analysis on the
Applicability of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide to Events Which Occurred During the Early Twentieth
Century" (i.e. the Armenian Genocide). They did so by referring the request to
the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). The ICTJ is a
reputable and expert organization founded by and presided over by Alex
Boraine.
Its purpose is to "advise emerging democracies on addressing legacies of
human
rights abuse." The ICTJ, in turn, merely and only facilitated the request of
TARC by referring it to an independent third-party for a legal analysis or
opinion. In actuality, and since then, the ICTJ has distanced itself from the
ensuing analysis by a "legal analyst" who remains unidentified, according
to my
knowledge, and said analyst has also been referred to as "the group" to be
contacted through Phillips at the Council on Foreign Relations. (Note: the
brief legal analysis is not even printed in the book.)
It is repeatedly false for Phillips to indicate (e.g. pp. 154, 116) that the
resultant "opinion" or "analysis" is authored by the ICTJ. Why does Phillips
persistently do so throughout the book while also providing the contradictory
text of the letter, dated 9/16/02, to him from Boraine? The letter states:
"ICTJ has agreed to facilitate the provision of a legal analysis. The analysis
will be performed entirely independently of the ICTJ. The analysis will not be
conducted by any ICTJ staff member; nor will the ICTJ be involved in any
way in
seeking to influence the conclusions reached by the analysis. Our role is
merely that of helping to identify an appropriate expert to undertake the
analysis requested by TARC." (see p. 110)
Why is the resultant opinion or analysis so onerous?
--It falsely states that the term "genocide," though applicable to the
"Events"
(i.e. the Armenian Genocide), is merely a "terminological" one with "no legal
applicability" whatsoever;
--The opinion or analysis, in contradiction of overwhelmingly prevalent
evidence and scholarship, challenges the historical truth and verity of the
Armenian Genocide as merely a yet unresolved historical issue;
--It treats the Genocide as a local or limited regional event and minor in
both
its character and magnitude;
--It disputes the direct involvement and culpability of the governmental
leadership and officialdom of the time.
This is historical reductionism and revisionism. This is genocide denial.
The actual purpose of this so-called analysis was to break the truth and
throw
a distorted fragment of it to each side. Armenians were supposed to become
grateful because they were being given permission or sanction by TARC, even
though strictly qualified, to apply the term "genocide" to their past plight.
Armenians do not need such permission from anyone. But perhaps some of this is
not entirely correct as Phillips, the chairman of TARC, in reference to
Turkish-Armenian relations, states: "I was not concerned with the response of
Armenians." Phillips was not concerned about the Armenian response to the
harmful misdeeds of TARC since the key Armenian member of TARC had privately
offered him assurances of support from the unidentified and most prominent or
powerful members of the Armenian community. (see p. 57) The Armenian community
was supposed to line up in lockstep behind TARC. It did not happen. It never
will happen. (Lest there be any mistake as to the identity of this key
Armenian
member of TARC, it is Van Z. Krikorian, a New York attorney.)
In turn, the Turkish side was supposed to become elated because if
the term "genocide" does not have any legal applicability, then the Genocide
Convention may not be used by Armenians to claim territory or financial
reparations. Actually, even if the Genocide Convention did not exist, there
remains an abundance of legal ground on which Armenians may still pursue such
claims if they so choose. However, I do not believe this legal course is
presently the prevailing disposition of the worldwide Armenian community or
the
government of Armenia. The entirety of this matter is otherwise amenable to
solution.
Phillips describes Krikorian as a "champion of the Armenian people." With
this
kind of champion, who needs an enemy. This member of TARC chose to propound
and
argue that the ICTJ analysis "should give both sides something" (see p. 109).
Accordingly, both Phillips and this member openly advocated that the analysis
achieve a "balanced outcome." These words had different meanings for each of
the parties. One leading Turkish member of TARC, vocally fearful of the truth,
was guaranteed such a "balanced outcome" by Phillips (see p. 111). This
analysis was wrongly guided by standards more appropriately applicable to a
fair and conscientious business transaction. The goal should not have been to
assure a "win-win" situation. This is the source of the rot. The improper goal
of TARC, which surely was communicated to the "legal analyst" for direction,
was to gild and memorialize lies and provide plausible and comforting
arguments
for both sides, however false, for respective public consumption in the guise
of
seeking and establishing reconciliation. The outcome of the "legal analysis"
with its false historical and legal conclusions, was designed and rigged
beforehand. The members of TARC should not, as they do, rationalize that truth
was not their proper or paramount concern. The proof is the stench coming from
all of the lies. Everyone can smell it.
What TARC and its anonymous "legal analyst" merely accomplished, because of
the multitude of ulterior and ill-concealed personal and political motives,
was
to unduly disappoint and discourage and aggravate each side.
The book by Phillips, though otherwise intended, actually provides a case
study
in what should not be done during Track Two Diplomacy.
Phillips should have heeded his own admonition: "Track Two will flounder if
its integrity is compromised by either participants or the organizer" (see p.
144). Actually, it will eventually drown. The whole truth of any genocide
should actively be sought and maintained. The people who do otherwise
should be
exposed and rebuked. Any attempt to establish reconciliation or rapprochement
on a duplicitous base of distortion and falsity is outrageous and intolerable.
Ultimately, this is the most important lesson to be derived from the book. The
book itself should have been titled Distorting the Past. I hope the book is
read widely with due credit.
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TOP STORIES
03/11/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder
Mikaelian
2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials
3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements
4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program
5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans
6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works
7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet
8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure
Improvements
9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race
10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy
1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder
Mikaelian
Activities include ARF youth conference, unveiling of memorial
SOPHIA (ARF Press Office)--A series of events were organized in Bulgaria's
capital of Sofia March 8-11, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation co-founder Kristapor Mikaelian's tragic death.
These included a seminar dedicated to the strengthening of Armenian-Bulgarian
ties, the official dedication of a bronze bust of Mikaelian, as well as a
memorial stone at his grave where a requiem service was held.
At the same time, representatives of ARF youth and student organizations
convened their annual conference of central executive representatives in
Sophia
on March 8-9, to coincide with the ceremonies.
Twenty seven youth from throughout thirteen countries, including Armenia,
Canada, France, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States, during
their conference, targeted the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and
political understanding of the Armenian struggle as well as implementation of
goals. The ARF youth analyzed current issues, including the situation of
Javakhk--a mostly Armenian-populated region in Georgia that is economically,
socially, and politically neglected.
Six participating youth entered the ranks of the ARF, taking their oath at
Mikaelian's grave.
The youth, along with hundreds of Armenians from Armenian, Mountainous
Karabagh, Javakhk, and throughout the diaspora gathered at Mikaelian's grave
for the official unveiling of a bronze bust, as well as a memorial stone made
of materials imported from Armenia.
Speakers included ARF Bulgaria representative Sahag Tchalekian, ARF Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian, and Bureau member Albert Ajemian. The
ceremonies ended with the singing of ~SMshag Panvor.~T
One of the Armenian revolutionary movement's most influential figures,
Mikaelian was killed on Bulgaria's Mount Vitosha, along with his friend
Vramshapuh Kentirian, while testing a bomb intended to be used during an
assassination plot against Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II--the man who
spearheaded the massacres of the 1890s, which claimed the lives of up to
300,000 Armenians.
2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials
--'We support dialogue that's not mere ceremony but actually seeks a
solution'
GLENDALE--In recent weeks, official and semi-official Turkish sources have
made announcements regarding initiating dialogue with the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, entrusting the study of the Armenian genocide issue
to historians, and similar matters. Asbarez approached ARF Bureau member Viken
Hovsepian, asking him to provide further clarification.
Question: What's your interpretation regarding Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's recent announcement that the matter of the Armenian genocide should
be left up to historians?
Answer: Any offer of dialogue from Turkish governmental circles that accepts
as its basis the actuality of the Armenian genocide would be welcomed. Prime
Minister Erdogan's proposal, or any similar tactic that attempts to cast doubt
on the authenticity of the Armenian genocide, is simply hurtful for the
Armenian people, which to this day continues to endure the consequences of the
Genocide.
The Armenian genocide is matter that has long been proven and subjected to
intense analysis, on an international level; and now is the time for immediate
political action and resolution. Any deviation from that course is merely a
delay tactic or the wasting of time. As much as we Armenians have a vital
interest in the just resolution of our Question, so too should the Turkish
statebased on its own political and economic interestsseek a final solution to
the Armenian Question.
Q: What would be the ARF's role in the likely event of an Armeno-Turkish
dialogue?
A: The ARF has often stated that it supports and appreciates the function of
dialogue and negotiation for the resolution of any political matter. In this
case as well the ARF would play a positive role, if it has the necessary
assurance that what would take place are substantive negotiations that seek a
comprehensive resolutionand not mere ceremony that seeks to leave an
impression
of dialogue.
That sort of imitation of dialogue greatly benefited the Turkish government
during recent such initiatives, in which some Armenian individuals (and an
Armenian organization) unfortunately became willing instruments. What's
imperative today, however, is public relations by Turkish governmental circles
so that they may be able to come to terms with their past, for the sake of a
brighter and morally reconcilable future.
Q: Turkish businessman Kaan Soyak, while in Armenia, also made a statement
regarding dialogue. What's your view regarding that?
A: I appreciate Mr. Soyak's affirmations regarding the ARF and its role,
especially when we take into account the paranoia and extremism that exist in
Turkish governmental circles toward the ARF. As already noted, our
organization
is ready to play a positive part in any process that seeks to achieve frank
and
comprehensive solutions.
Let me add that to date our organization has received no official invitation
or proposal for dialogue from the Turkish government.
3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements
--Prominent elected officials show unified support as campaign gains momentum
GLENDALE--With less than thirty days to go before the April 5 Glendale City
elections, prominent elected officials and organizations have aligned their
support for Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian for the Glendale City Clerk~Rs race,
demonstrating unified support behind his candidacy.
Elected officials who have endorsed Ardy include:
US Representative Adam Schiff (D-29)
California State Senator Jack Scott (D-SD 21)
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti (CD 13)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca
Glendale City Councilmember Rafi Manoukian
Glendale Community College Board Member Victor King
California State Board of Equalization Chairman John Chiang
Kassakhian was the first candidate to announce his candidacy with the promise
of ushering in a new era where the City Clerk will play a proactive and
dynamic
role as the gateway to city government for Glendale citizens.
"Ardy has the work ethic, integrity, and management ability to make sure the
city clerk's office operates in a sound and professional manner," said US
Representative Adam Schiff. "I hope Glendale voters will join me in supporting
Ardy Kassakhian for City Clerk on April 5th."
The increasing number of endorsements demonstrates the growing momentum
behind
the Ardy Kassakhian campaign. Ardy's program to improve the clerk's office
includes: Creating Accessibility and Accountability; Improving Outreach and
Education; and Incorporating New Technology.
Glendale city elections will occur on April 5. Voters who have registered to
vote by mail will receive their ballots prior to that date. More information
about the campaign can be found at
<http://www.ardyforclerk.org/>www.ardyforclerk.org.
4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program
GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR)
announced this week that the application period for the 2005 ANCA Leo
Sarkisian
Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC has opened. This year marks the
19th anniversary of this competitive and prestigious internship program,
considered to be one of the best Armenian American programs of its kind.
Named after long-time ANCA activist Leo Sarkisian, the eight-week intensive
public affairs internship brings together numerous young Armenian Americans
from across the country to gain first-hand experience in the American
political
system, while working on issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
In addition to working at the ANCA national headquarters, just blocks away
from
the White House, interns also participate in a bi-weekly lecture series
featuring a wide variety of guest speakers, including US government officials
and Armenian American leaders and professionals from various fields. Interns
are also exposed to legislative offices and meetings with national figures as
part of the ANCA's on-going advocacy work on behalf of the Armenian American
community.
The ANCA internship program is truly a unique opportunity for young Armenian
Americans to gain an insider's perspective of the intricate and complex
political world in Washington, DC, while at the same time, gaining a fresh
understanding of the current issues facing the Armenian American community,"
explained Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. "The
lecture series and Washington's stimulating professional and social
environment
allow interns to spend an enriching and fun summer working to advance the
Armenian Cause," stated Dadaian.
The 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship program will begin on June 20 and run
through August 12 this year. Applications for the internship are available on
the ANCA website, through the ANCA-WR headquarters, as well as other community
outlets. Applications must be postmarked by April 15 to be considered for the
2005 program.
For more information, or to request applications, please contact the ANCAWR
headquarters at 818.500.1918 or at [email protected].
5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans
GLENDALE--Over 100 supporters and friends gathered at the home of Alec and Dr.
Alenoush Baghdasaryan last Wednesday evening to help raise funds for the
Armenian National Committee of Glendale (ANCG). All 12 ANCG endorsed
candidates
were also on hand to meet members of the community and answer questions. Those
in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to mingle with the candidates
and ask them questions. In return, the candidates had an opportunity to
discuss
their platforms and visions for the city without worrying about a 30 second
warning from a moderator.
"Our organization's strength is in our grassroots activism and support
network. We have a strong, hardworking board that is constantly working for
the
ArmenianAmerican community, but without supporters like the Baghdasaryans, who
opened their home to us, and the over 100 people who attended the event, we
would never be able to get as much done as we currently do," remarked ANCG
Treasurer George Garikian.
The ANCG is a grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to informing and
educating the ArmenianAmerican community and representing the community's
interest in the City of Glendale. Funds raised at the March 2 event will be
used to pay for the ANCG current "Get Out The Vote" campaign and voter
education show. Some proceeds will also be used to assist ANCG endorsed
candidates in their election bids. The ANCG endorsed candidates are: Larry
Miller, Ara Najarian, Anahid Oshagan and Bob Yousefian for City Council;
Ardashes Kassakhian for City Clerk; Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian, and
Chuck Sambar for School Board; Anita Gabrielian, Armine Hacopian, and Victor
King for College Board; and Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer.
6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works
LOS ANGELESArtist Raffi Adalian~Rs solo exhibition will be featured at Harvest
Gallery from March 11-20.
~SAdalian relies on material, specifically a range of material that hovers
between the painterly and the sculptural,~T says acclaimed art critic Peter
Frank.
Born in Armenia, Adalian is a graduate of Yerevan~Rs Music Conservatory. In
1976, in his first solo exhibit, Adalian presented 60 paintings at the
Contemporary Art Gallery of Yerevan. His work has also been featured at the
Leon Ragain Gallery in Lyon, France, the Grand Pallet Hall in Paris, as
well as
in numerous galleries around the world including in Austria, Canada, Germany,
Russia, and the United States.
In 2001, Adalian established The Parking Lot--an art studio and outdoor
exhibition space for dozens of artists on the grounds of Avis Roto Die
Manufacturing in Los Angeles. ~SAdalian revels in the texture not just of
paint,
but of paper and cloth and whatever other material lends itself to his hungry
eye and restless hand,~T adds Frank.
The opening reception is on Friday, March 11, 6:00-10:00 p.m. Adalian~Rs
exhibit will be on display through Sunday, March 20. Gallery hours are
Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
For general information about the exhibit, please call Harvest Gallery at
(818) 546-1000 or visit
<http://www.harvestgallery.com/>www.harvestgallery.com.
Exhibition Dates: March 11-20, 2005
Harvest Gallery: 938 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA
7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet
LOS ANGELES--The Inaugural Gala-Banquet of the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles
(AALA) is set for Friday, April 1, at the Deukmejian Hall of the Ararat Home
Complex in Mission Hills.
The Inaugural Gala is the Academy's first major public event, aimed at
presenting a community-wide audience the goals and mission of the Academy's
Board of Directors, while at the same time raising funds for the ongoing
planning, development, and major fundraising activities of the Board. The Gala
Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Noubar Afeyan, CEO of Flagship Ventures in
Cambridge Mass., and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Dr.
Afeyan is one of the principle forces behind the Armenian 2020 Project.
The AALA is a unique Armenian academic institution aiming to serve its
student
clientele with a combination of top-level academics and a rich Armenian
studies
experience. It will distinguish itself by its focus on a rigorous college-prep
experience on par with that offered at the best public and private high
schools
in Southern California. The Academy is an independent, non-affiliated
college-preparatory high school that will serve students in grades 9 through
12.
At the heart of the Academy's mission is its dual curriculum program. Not
only
will students choose from an array of traditional prep-school courses and
electives, they will also have a rich selection of Armenian subjects, from
language and literature to history, culture and the arts. Part of the
Academy's
mission is to create an interactive learning environment by infusing
traditional classwork with hands-on workshops and discussion sessions
conducted
by distinguished scientists, artists, and activists. The coursework will
emphasize the importance of innovation and critical thinking skills.
The Gala will feature the premier of the Academy PR video highlighting Dr.
Vartan Gregorian, and the live performances of three commissioned artistic
works. "Just as the Academy is a unique institution, based on originality and
innovation, so will the artistic program of our Gala consist of commissioned,
original works: a music piece, a dance piece, and a theatrical performance"
says Aram Kouyoumdjian, program director for the Gala. An exhibition of
Armenian artwork will also be showcased.
For more information, ticket reservations or event sponsorship, please call
the Gala Committee at 818-293-0010, or e-mail at
[email protected].
The cocktail hour starts at 7 pm, followed by dinner at 8 pm, and the
presentations at 9 pm. Individual tickets are $150.
8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure
Improvements
GLENDALE--The Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) will host a
benefit concert on Sunday, March 13, to raise funds for infrastructure
improvements in Ghapan, Armenia. All proceeds from the concert will be used to
rehabilitate Ghapan's aging school facilities, where students struggle to
learn
in aging classrooms that have unreliable electricity and decayed plumbing.
The concert, sponsored by Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, will be held at
Hoover High School Auditorium, and will feature some of the best-known
Armenian
artists in Southern California, including Harout Pamboukjian, Razmik
Mansourian, Hovannes Shahbazian, Anahit Nersisian, Nersik Ispirian, Merujan
Margarian, and Ararat Petrosian. The International Dance School, directed by
Vardan and Siranoush Gevorkian, will also perform during the concert.
Arpi Andonian, who serves on the Board of Directors of GGSCA and is a Vice
President at Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, helped arrange the sponsorship,
and is the concert's principal organizer. "We are very proud to be able to
organize this effort," Andonian said. "I hope that our community will take the
opportunity to attend this great concert, have a lot of fun, and help us raise
the money we need to rebuild Ghapan's aging schools."
In December 2002, the City of Glendale unanimously adopted resolution 17023,
establishing a sister city link with the small southern town of Ghapan in
Armenia. Subsequently, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association was
established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in order to foster relations
between the two cities.
Since its inception, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association has
completed
a variety of projects in Ghapan, including the rehabilitation of classrooms,
bathrooms, libraries, and study halls in several of Ghapan's schools. The
organization is planning major projects in 2005, including the launch of
efforts to rehabilitate Ghapan's hospital, which includes the region's only
maternity ward and operating room.
Sunday, March 13, 2005 @ 6:00pm
Hoover High School Auditorium
651 Glenwood Road, Glendale CA
Ticket price: $20
For tickets, please call (818) 265-0506 or (818) 482-6131
9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race
GLENDALE--Art for Oshagan, a silent auction to benefit Anahid Oshagan's bid
for
the Glendale City Council, netted more than $8,000 over the weekend. The
event,
held at Harvest Gallery from March 4 to 6, drew nearly 200 participants on
opening night when 26 of 30 artworks were auctioned off.
"The success of the auction clearly points to the community's faith in
Anahid's campaign," said Anahid Oshagan campaign manager, Karo Torrossian. "I
have never seen an art fundraiser at the local level bring in so many people
and make so much money. This campaign has a tremendous amount of momentum. It
is headed for success."
Last week, the campaign got an important boost when Congressman Adam Schiff
(D-29) endorsed Anahid's bid for the City Council. Rafi Manoukian, the
Glendale
ANC, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, and the California School
Employees Association have also endorsed Anahid. During the January-February
time period, her campaign was third in fundraising in a field of 19
candidates.
The auction included paintings, drawings, sketches, mixed media,
three-dimensional works, and photographs from 20 different artists. All works
were donated, as was the gallery space. Eric Grigorian delivered the surprise
of the auction, donating his 2003 World Press Photo award-winning photograph.
Nearly all of the participating artists sold their works.
"There are many important issues in Glendale and one of them is arts and
culturethis is one of my priorities in this race," said Anahid Oshagan.
"Art is
a universal language and it is a force that can unite many parts of Glendale's
diverse mosaic of communities," Oshagan added.
"Part of the success was the community's obvious and strong support for
Anahid. Another part was the quality of the art donated," said Aris Ajand,
artist, and owner of Harvest Gallery. "The artists really stepped up and
delivered great works. And the atmosphere of the evening was great: there were
at least 3 bidding wars."
Other local artists are also stepping up to help Anahid's campaign.
Well-known
and highly acclaimed artist, author and actor Vahe Berberian will be
performing
one of his widely successful monologues, Yevayln Revisited, in a benefit show
on March 22 at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale. Actress Lory Tatoulian is slated
to perform one of her cutting edge stage sketches at another fundraising event
on Wednesday, March 23. For more information please see
<http://www.oshagan2005.com/>www.oshagan2005.com.
Oshagan announced her candidacy for the April 5 city elections in January.
Her
vision to bring harmony and mutual understanding to the diverse communities of
Glendale, coupled with her political experience will bring a fresh new
perspective and become a unifying force for all of Glendale.
Anahid's background is ideally suited for the city council. Coming from a
family that instilled in her the values of hard work and helping her
community,
Anahid has developed a solid history of community involvement and service.
As a
student leader at CSUN, Anahid was instrumental in aiding the 1988 Armenian
earthquake relief effort and raising awareness of Armenia's bid for
independence. After graduation, she worked to aid victims of domestic violence
and mentored juvenile inmates. She has taught English as a Second Language to
immigrants and spearheaded fundraising efforts for a program to immunize
children in Armenia and Karabagh.
For the past three years, Anahid was Congressman Adam Schiff's District
Representative working as the liaison to the City of Glendale and the
Armenian-American communities throughout the 29th Congressional district.
Anahid now works as a non-profit attorney. If elected, she will be the first
Armenian-American woman to serve on the Glendale City Council.
Donations may be made to "Friends of Anahid Oshagan" and sent to Friends of
Anahid Oshagan, P.O. Box 4820, Glendale, CA 91222-0820. Political
contributions
are not tax-deductible. Please see
<http://www.oshagan2005.com/>www.oshagan2005.com for more information.
10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy
Unsilencing the Past: Track Two Diplomacy and Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
by David L. Phillips
By Charles Garo Ashjian, JD, PhD
This is a book about third party mediation (ie, Track Two Diplomacy) in a
world filled with "intractable conflicts that confound traditional diplomacy."
Whereas, according to Phillips, the State Department "inculcates a risk-averse
culture that discourages initiative and stifles creativity;" (see p. 135)
informal third party mediation, or Track Two Diplomacy, embodies a flexibility
that compensates for such inherent constraints on government officials.
Thereby, private citizens may succeed or make inroads where officials seem
only
likely to fail. This book depicts the author's own experiences as chair and
facilitator of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC)--the
fulcrum for the Track Two Program on Turkey and the Caucasus. The Commission
was quietly financed by the State Department and initiated during the Clinton
Administration and formally established in 2001 and, at least, tacitly
approved
by the governments of Armenia and Turkey. Presumably based on the author's
experiences, the book concludes with the offering of practical principles
which may be of utility to those involved in such future endeavors.
However, even though the author attempts to depict important accomplishments
as the direct result of the efforts of TARC, there is no actual resolution of
the conflicts and issues which, nevertheless, still exist between the
governments and peoples of Turkey and Armenia. Actually, the Track Two
activity
herewith merely aggravated and compounded the situation. Contrary to the
insinuations of success by the author, the overall activity of TARC was a
failure. The book unwittingly or transparently corroborates and underlines
this
failure. For instance, in the Preface, Elie Wiesel asks the question: "Has it
been fruitful?" Wiesel refrains from giving an answer. The author, Phillips,
nearly gives an answer when, summarizing and referring to the concluded
activity of TARC, he states: "Track Two rarely results in a breakthrough." The
Bush administration never reacted with anything but a courteous nod toward
this
activity.
The major obstacle to rapprochement or reconciliation between the governments
and peoples of Turkey and Armenia is the matter of the Armenian Genocide. The
TARC addressed this matter by seeking and obtaining a legal opinion,
purportedly objective and unbiased, which was titled "A Legal Analysis on the
Applicability of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide to Events Which Occurred During the Early Twentieth
Century" (i.e. the Armenian Genocide). They did so by referring the request to
the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). The ICTJ is a
reputable and expert organization founded by and presided over by Alex
Boraine.
Its purpose is to "advise emerging democracies on addressing legacies of
human
rights abuse." The ICTJ, in turn, merely and only facilitated the request of
TARC by referring it to an independent third-party for a legal analysis or
opinion. In actuality, and since then, the ICTJ has distanced itself from the
ensuing analysis by a "legal analyst" who remains unidentified, according
to my
knowledge, and said analyst has also been referred to as "the group" to be
contacted through Phillips at the Council on Foreign Relations. (Note: the
brief legal analysis is not even printed in the book.)
It is repeatedly false for Phillips to indicate (e.g. pp. 154, 116) that the
resultant "opinion" or "analysis" is authored by the ICTJ. Why does Phillips
persistently do so throughout the book while also providing the contradictory
text of the letter, dated 9/16/02, to him from Boraine? The letter states:
"ICTJ has agreed to facilitate the provision of a legal analysis. The analysis
will be performed entirely independently of the ICTJ. The analysis will not be
conducted by any ICTJ staff member; nor will the ICTJ be involved in any
way in
seeking to influence the conclusions reached by the analysis. Our role is
merely that of helping to identify an appropriate expert to undertake the
analysis requested by TARC." (see p. 110)
Why is the resultant opinion or analysis so onerous?
--It falsely states that the term "genocide," though applicable to the
"Events"
(i.e. the Armenian Genocide), is merely a "terminological" one with "no legal
applicability" whatsoever;
--The opinion or analysis, in contradiction of overwhelmingly prevalent
evidence and scholarship, challenges the historical truth and verity of the
Armenian Genocide as merely a yet unresolved historical issue;
--It treats the Genocide as a local or limited regional event and minor in
both
its character and magnitude;
--It disputes the direct involvement and culpability of the governmental
leadership and officialdom of the time.
This is historical reductionism and revisionism. This is genocide denial.
The actual purpose of this so-called analysis was to break the truth and
throw
a distorted fragment of it to each side. Armenians were supposed to become
grateful because they were being given permission or sanction by TARC, even
though strictly qualified, to apply the term "genocide" to their past plight.
Armenians do not need such permission from anyone. But perhaps some of this is
not entirely correct as Phillips, the chairman of TARC, in reference to
Turkish-Armenian relations, states: "I was not concerned with the response of
Armenians." Phillips was not concerned about the Armenian response to the
harmful misdeeds of TARC since the key Armenian member of TARC had privately
offered him assurances of support from the unidentified and most prominent or
powerful members of the Armenian community. (see p. 57) The Armenian community
was supposed to line up in lockstep behind TARC. It did not happen. It never
will happen. (Lest there be any mistake as to the identity of this key
Armenian
member of TARC, it is Van Z. Krikorian, a New York attorney.)
In turn, the Turkish side was supposed to become elated because if
the term "genocide" does not have any legal applicability, then the Genocide
Convention may not be used by Armenians to claim territory or financial
reparations. Actually, even if the Genocide Convention did not exist, there
remains an abundance of legal ground on which Armenians may still pursue such
claims if they so choose. However, I do not believe this legal course is
presently the prevailing disposition of the worldwide Armenian community or
the
government of Armenia. The entirety of this matter is otherwise amenable to
solution.
Phillips describes Krikorian as a "champion of the Armenian people." With
this
kind of champion, who needs an enemy. This member of TARC chose to propound
and
argue that the ICTJ analysis "should give both sides something" (see p. 109).
Accordingly, both Phillips and this member openly advocated that the analysis
achieve a "balanced outcome." These words had different meanings for each of
the parties. One leading Turkish member of TARC, vocally fearful of the truth,
was guaranteed such a "balanced outcome" by Phillips (see p. 111). This
analysis was wrongly guided by standards more appropriately applicable to a
fair and conscientious business transaction. The goal should not have been to
assure a "win-win" situation. This is the source of the rot. The improper goal
of TARC, which surely was communicated to the "legal analyst" for direction,
was to gild and memorialize lies and provide plausible and comforting
arguments
for both sides, however false, for respective public consumption in the guise
of
seeking and establishing reconciliation. The outcome of the "legal analysis"
with its false historical and legal conclusions, was designed and rigged
beforehand. The members of TARC should not, as they do, rationalize that truth
was not their proper or paramount concern. The proof is the stench coming from
all of the lies. Everyone can smell it.
What TARC and its anonymous "legal analyst" merely accomplished, because of
the multitude of ulterior and ill-concealed personal and political motives,
was
to unduly disappoint and discourage and aggravate each side.
The book by Phillips, though otherwise intended, actually provides a case
study
in what should not be done during Track Two Diplomacy.
Phillips should have heeded his own admonition: "Track Two will flounder if
its integrity is compromised by either participants or the organizer" (see p.
144). Actually, it will eventually drown. The whole truth of any genocide
should actively be sought and maintained. The people who do otherwise
should be
exposed and rebuked. Any attempt to establish reconciliation or rapprochement
on a duplicitous base of distortion and falsity is outrageous and intolerable.
Ultimately, this is the most important lesson to be derived from the book. The
book itself should have been titled Distorting the Past. I hope the book is
read widely with due credit.
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