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California Courier Online, October 13, 2005
1 - Commentary
Armenians Should Squeeze Concessions
Out of Turkey During EU Negotiations
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The Califorrnia Courier
2 - Armenian Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian Visits Los Angeles
3- Hebrew University Armenian Faculty
Join International Conference in Spain
4 - Turkish Professors Speak at
UCLA on Armenian Relations
5 - State Trade Office Opens in Armenia
6 - UACC Banquet Set for Nov. 12
7 - AYF Gathers 200 Youngsters
For Little Armenia Clean Up
8 - Founder of California Courier, Financier
George J. Mason, Passes Away at 74
9 - UCLA's Prof. Cowe Will Speak on Origins
Of Armenian Alphabet at CSUF, Oct. 21
10 - USC Armenian Institute Gala Honors
Judge Tevrizian and Raises $700,000
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1 - Commentary
Armenians Should Squeeze Concessions
Out of Turkey During EU Negotiations
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Turkey finally embarked on a journey that it had been anxiously awaiting
for more than 40 years. The long and arduous negotiations for Turkey's
membership in the European Union officially started last week and are
expected to last 10 or more years.
Armenians are of two minds over the benefits of Turkey joining the EU. Some
of them are of the opinion that Armenia is better off if its old nemesis is
kept under check by EU's strict code of conduct. Armenians in this camp
believe that a "civilized Turkey" is more apt to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, lift its blockade of Armenia, and conduct peaceful relations with
its neighbors.
Other Armenians believe that Turkey is simply going through the motions of
transforming itself, without having any honest intentions of doing so.
Besides, these Armenians believe that there are no guarantees that "an
enlightened Turkey" would be more inclined to recognize the Genocide.
Turkey could well become an EU member, and like Britain, still refuse to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Even worse, should Turkey not change its
denialist policy after joining the EU, Armenians would be deprived of
whatever clout they may have had in creating obstacles for its EU
membership. Furthermore, Turkey would have by then the largest population
among the EU countries, and thus be entitled to have the largest number of
votes in various EU councils. Turkey could thus block pro-Armenian
initiatives and help pass pro-Turkish and pro-Azeri resolutions in the EU.
Therefore, the time to get any possible concessions out of Turkey is now,
before it joins the EU.
Whether or not Turkey eventually becomes an EU member in 10 or 15 years
from now is very difficult to determine in advance. To begin with, no one
really knows with any degree of certainty the domestic and foreign
developments that would shape Turkey's decisions and as well as the
attitudes of Europeans about Turkey years from now. Here are some of the
factors that could influence the outcome of Turkey's EU membership
negotiations:
1) The social, economic and political conditions within Turkey that would
impact its government's desire to make the extensive changes required by
the EU negotiations framework;
2) The stability of neighboring Iraq and the repercussions on Turkey
arising from Iraqi and Turkish Kurds pursuing their national aspirations;
3) The social, economic and political conditions within various EU member
states, particularly the attitude of their citizens towards the influx of
more foreign workers at a time when they may be suffering from high
unemployment and social unrest;
4) The state of negotiations on the settlement of the Cyprus problem;
5) The clout of the US government in terms of its ability and willingness
to influence the EU on Turkey's membership;
6) Whether or not more terrorist acts are committed by radical Islamist
groups, particularly in Western Europe;
7) The results of the referendums that are to be held in several European
countries on whether to allow Turkey to join the EU; and
8) The status of Armenian-Turkish relations that are partly linked to the
outcome of the negotiations on the Karabagh conflict.
While Turkey will most probably have to lift its blockade of Armenia, since
"the EU-Turkey negotiation framework" document requires that it
unequivocally commit to "good neighborly relations," the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Turkey is not certain at all. Aside from the repeated
non-binding resolutions adopted by the European Parliament demanding
Turkey' s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the EU itself has not made
such acknowledgment a part of its requirements for membership.
It would be naïve, if Armenians believe that they could block Turkey's EU
membership because of its non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide. If
several years from now, Turkey successfully fulfills all EU requirements
and settles the conflict in Cyprus, its EU membership would be just about
guaranteed. Armenians should not expect European countries to rise to their
defense, at the expense of their own self-interests. The Europeans would
care about Armenian issues only when they happen to coincide with or serve
their own national interests.
To be able to squeeze the maximum concessions out of Turkey, Armenia and
the Diaspora would need to make common cause with the majority of Europeans
who are strongly opposed to Turkey's EU membership. Turkish officials must
realize that unless they sit down at the negotiating table with Armenians
and try to accommodate some of their grievances, Armenians would work
tirelessly for the next 10 or more years to ensure that Turkey's membership
is delayed indefinitely. It is not in Armenians' interest to block Turkey's
EU membership, but to drag it out as long as possible. The longer the
negotiations take, the more concessions can be squeezed out of Turkey. This
is the logic behind the positions of Cyprus and Greece. Despite the fact
that they could have vetoed the start of Turkey's EU talks, Cyprus and
Greece allowed the talks to go forward with the aim of extracting
concessions from Turkey during the negotiating process. Had they used their
veto last week, they would have deprived themselves of the opportunity to
get any concessions from Turkey.
The interest of Armenians requires that, on the EU issue, Turkey remain a
bridesmaid, as long as it refuses to pay the dowry to become a bride!
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2 - Armenian Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian Visits Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES - Ambassador Tatoul Markarian visited Los Angeles on September
29 - October 2, for meetings with the Armenian-American community leaders
and organizations.
The Ambassador visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia
where he discussed the Consulate present and planned activities with Consul
General Gagik Kirakossian and Consulate staff. On Sept. 29, Ambassador
Markarian met with representatives of the Armenian-American political
organizations at the Consulate. Visiting the office of the Lincy
Foundation,
The Armenian envoy once more expressed appreciation for Lincy's large
scale projects in Armenia, which he said have left a permanent positive
imprint on Armenia.
The next day, Markarian attended welcoming receptions by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate, Western Diocese and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, Western Prelacy, where parish pastors, members of the Diocese and
Prelacy Councils, and local community activists were also present.
Later that same day, the Armenian Ambassador attended the Armenia Fund
reception as the guest of honor. The event was held in advance of the
Annual Telethon. On October 1-2, he also participated in the USC Gala
Banquet organized by the USC Armenian Studies Institute and in the AGBU
Annual Banquet.
Ambassador Markarian was interviewed by the Horizon TV, fielding questions
on Armenia's foreign policy, U.S.-Armenian cooperation, and
Armenia-Diaspora relations.
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3 - Hebrew University Armenian Faculty
Join International Conference in Spain
JERUSALEM - Last month, over 60 scholars of Armenian Studies gathered in
Vitoria, Spain for the Tenth General Conference of the Association
Internationale des Etudes Armeniennes (AIEA). Founded in 1980 by Professor
Michael Stone of the Hebrew University and Professor J.J.S. Weitenberg of
Leiden University in Holland, AIEA is an organization of scholars of
Armenian Studies, with its centre in Europe. The suggestion to found the
organization was made by Dr. Nira Stone.
The meeting was attended by scholars from all over Europe, America, Armenia
and the Middle East. From the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Sergio La
Porta, Prof. Stone and doctoral student Mikayel Arakelian all presented
lectures, while Dr. Nira Stone also participated. Hebrew University
Armenian Studies PhD graduate, Prof. Peter Cowe of UCLA, and former
Armenian Studies student Pablo Trojiano teaches at the Compultensian
University in Madrid. Former visiting researcher Prof. Theo van Lint,
Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian at Oxford University also joined in the
Hebrew University reunion.
All the Armenian Studies faculty from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's
Armenian Studies program were there and they all brought home new and
stimulating ideas. They were able to discuss matters with colleagues, and
as a result new directions of cooperative work are emerging and will soon
be announced.
Prof. Stone devoted his lecture to his recently completed translation of
the medieval Armenian epic poem about Adam and Eve, written by Arakel of
Siunik at the beginning of the 15th century. The poem, a complex
composition of quite startling beauty, contains over 5,500 lines of poetry,
which Prof. Stone translated into English poetry. It is presently being
considered for publication.
Quite different, but equally stimulating, Dr. La Porta presented a paper on
"The Earliest Armenian Scholia on the Works Attributed to Dionysius the
Areopagite." In addition to providing a linguistic analysis of the scholia,
Dr. La Porta posited the locus of their production and the context in which
they were composed.
Mikayel Arakelian described in detail the catalogue he has prepared of
illuminated late medieval Armenian manuscripts in Germany. This very
thorough work will make known several hundred unknown or little known
manuscripts. Mikayel is writing his doctoral thesis on the Armenian art of
New Julfa.
The Armenian Studies program at the Hebrew University was established in
1966.
For further information contact Prof. Michael E. Stone
([email protected]) or Dr. Sergio La Porta ([email protected]).
************************************************** *************************
4 - Turkish Professors Speak at
UCLA on Armenian Relations
LOS ANGELES - A unique presentation featuring "Three Turkish Voices on the
Ottoman Armenians," will be held Nov. 6 at UCLA's Court of Sciences 50
(Young Hall).
Sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian
History, the event will feature professors Taner Akcam of the University of
Minnesota, Elif Shafak, of the University of Arizona, and F. Muge Gocek, of
the University of Michigan.
Each academic will address recent developments in Turkish-Armenian
historical relations.
Prof. Akcam will present a new assessment of Ottoman documents. Prof.
Shahaf will speak on memory and literature. F. Muge Gocek will address the
recent Istanbul conference on Ottoman Armenians.
The event is open to the public at no charge. Daily parking at $8 is
available at Parking Structure # 2 (Westholme entrance at Hilgard Ave.).
For additional information, contact Prof. Richard Hovannisian at
[email protected].
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5 - State Trade Office Opens in Armenia
By Alex Dobuzinskis
L.A. Daily News
GLENDALE - California's trade office in Armenia opened Oct. 1, thanks to
the $75,000 raised by local members of the Armenian community to create
trade partnerships between the Golden State and the former Soviet republic.
The office will be in temporary quarters in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, in
a government building there. An English-speaking Armenian was appointed to
run the office, which will link importers and exporters between California
and the landlocked nation east of Turkey and north of Iran.
Because the money was raised privately, the state was able to open the
office in Armenia even though California's other foreign trade offices were
closed recently because of state budget woes. That could be a model for the
state if it opens other foreign trade offices, officials said.
"The Armenian officials that I met with are very excited about it because
they recognize that one of the ways as a developing country they're going
to progress is to count on the expertise and the products that would come
from a place like California," said Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, who was in
Armenia from Sept. 19-23.
Officials expect that the office will facilitate in the export of
information technology and health products going into Armenia and
help Armenian businesses export foodstuffs and other products to
California.
There is nearly $50 million in trade between Armenia and the United States,
most of it with California, said Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the
Glendale-based Foundation for Economic Development, which helped create the
trade office.
"There are quite a few individual business owners, midsize business owners
- not the multimillion dollar ones or the small mom-and-pop entities -
midsize businesses that are looking for business opportunities in Armenia
that are developing, but they're not sure the exact ways to go about it,"
said Karapetian, who works in marketing.
The office will facilitate that work that they need, he said.
No public money has gone into creating the trade office, and there could be
a need for additional fundraising in the future to keep the office
operating.
"I'd like to see it grow," said Annette Vartanian, executive director of
the Glendale-based Armenian American Chamber of Commerce. "Obviously, it's
going to start out small, but I'd like to see in the next couple of years
for the office to expand and to see a team of people working."
The office is overseen by the California Business, Transportation & Housing
Agency.
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6 - UACC Banquet Set for Nov. 12
HOLLYWOOD, CA - Members and friends of the United Armenian Congregational
Church (UACC) will gather for its annual banquet, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. in
UACC's Avazian Hall.
Dr. Donald Sunukjian, Talbot School of Theology Professor of Christian
Ministry and Leadership, Homiletics, will be the evening's keynote speaker.
He is a founding member of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and of the
Academy of Homiletics and Religious Communication Society.
Henry Abadjian will be the Master of Ceremonies. A member of the church
since 1976, Abadjian graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in
1978, and now operates Blue Diamond Company and Montrose Jewelers with his
brother, Jack. He has been an executive officer of the Armenian Aintabtsi
Cultural Association and the Armenian Evangelical College Alumni
Association.
Musical selections will be provided by Ruth (Ketenjian) Fitzgerald.
The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. with mezze, then dinner. Nina Kasbarian, a
member of the UACC Board of Trustees, is this year's banquet chair. During
the program, the annual Trustees' Person(s) of the Year will also be
presented.
For more information, call the church office at (323) 851-5265.
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7 - AYF Gathers 200 Youngsters
For Little Armenia Clean Up
LOS ANGELES - Well over 200 Armenian youngsters gathered in the "Little
Armenia" district of Los Angeles on Sept. 25 to provide volunteer service
to the Armenian Youth Federation's 3rd Annual Little Armenia Cleanup.
Volunteers from all over Northern and Southern California; including Fresno
and San Francisco, helped remove thousands of pounds of trash from major
streets in Little Armenia, bringing the three-year total to over 23.5 tons
of trash removed by the AYF.
Organized by the AYF and cosponsored by Los Angeles City Council member
Eric Garcetti's Office, the cleanup attracted volunteers from the public at
large and community organizations such as the AYF, Homenetmen Los Angeles
Chapter, and the ARF Badanegan Organization.
Before the clean up began, Nora Ounjian relayed the AYF Central Executive's
message to the youth. "The AYF will remain at the forefront of serving our
community and, in particular, will continue to provide our youth with
opportunities of social service," said Ounjian. Rev. Fr. Vicken Vassilian
representing Western Prelate, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, blessed
both the effort of the AYF and the volunteers' willingness to serve the
community.
Los Angeles City 13th District Council member Eric Garcetti thanked the
volunteers and welcomed the AYF's initiative.The Council member awarded the
AYF with a desktop plaque that carries the seal of the city of Los Angeles
and reads Little Armenia.
In the coming weeks many "Welcome to Little Armenia" light-post banners
will be added to the existing 63 erected from past years. Depicting the
Tri-color, Sardarabad Monument, and Mount Ararat, the banners have added a
touch of Armenia to the community.
The AYF took the opportunity to thank the official sponsors of the Little
Armenian Clean Up: Adin of California, Asbarez Daily Armenian Newspaper,
Horizon Armenian Television, Nor Hayastan Daily Newspaper, USA Armenian
Life Magazine, Closet World, Color Depot, Donoyan Insurance Agency,
Sylvie's Costumes, Carpet Show, Sun Work's Tanning, Eric Garcetti's Office
and staff, and the A.R.F. Hollywood Karekin Njteh Gomideh.
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8 - Founder of California Courier, Financier
George J. Mason, Passes Away at 74
By Jon Thurber
L.A. Times
George J. Mason, who founded the California Courier, the first
English-language Armenian newspaper in the state, and had a significant
career in finance as a senior managing director of the Los Angeles office
of Bear, Stearns & Co., has died. He was 74.
Mason died Oct. 5, according to a statement from MGM Mirage, where Mason
was a longtime board member. He was being treated for cancer at the time of
his death.
Terry Lanni, chief executive officer of MGM Mirage, which owns the Bellagio
and Mandalay Bay casinos in Las Vegas, called Mason "an incredibly
influential figure in the gaming and finance industries."
Born in Los Angeles, Mason earned his bachelor's degree in Slavic studies
from USC. He went on to earn a master's degree in political science from
Columbia University.
Mason served in the Air Force in the early 1950s. In 1958, he founded the
California Courier in Fresno and served as editor until 1970.
"I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that George's California
Courier was and will be remembered as a journal of Armenian life in
California," Vartan Oskanian, Armenia's minister of foreign affairs, said
in a statement released by MGM Mirage.
"George left a legacy for the Armenian community in the written word," said
Raffi Hamparian, a member of the board of directors of the Armenian
National Committee of America.
"He is a tribute to the Armenian experience in America that largely emerged
from nothing to become a vibrant and active community."
After leaving the paper, Mason entered the world of finance. He worked for
Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Investment Co. for several years in the 1970s
before joining Bear, Stearns & Co. in Los Angeles in 1973. According to the
announcement from MGM Mirage, Mason was a senior managing director at Bear,
Stearns & Co. from 1973 until his death.
Mason is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sally; their six daughters,
Cassandra Goehner, Melanie Goodman, Teresa Mason, George Ann Mason, Diana
Chakalian and Mary Mason; and his sister, Shirley Rakoobian.
A memorial service was held Oct. 8 at St. James Armenian Church, in Los
Angeles. A reception followed at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa
Monica.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests that any donations be made in
Mason's name to: Nevada Cancer Institute, Continued Research in the Field
of Bladder Cancer, 10000 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135.
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9 - UCLA's Prof. Cowe Will Speak on Origins
Of Armenian Alphabet at CSUF, Oct. 21
FRESNO - Dr. Peter Cowe of UCLA will speak on "The Origins of the Armenian
Alphabet and Its Cultural Impact" Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m., in the Alice
Peters Auditorium, Rm. 191 of the University Business Center on the Fresno
State campus.
The presentation is part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall 2005 Lecture
Series and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization.
Joining Dr. Cowe will be Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the ASP who will
speak on "The Political Situation in Armenia on the Eve of the Invention of
the Armenian Alphabet."
This year marks the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
Alphabet. Der Mugrdechian's presentation will explore the political
situation of the time, while Dr. Cowe will focus on the Armenian sources
for the invention and also discuss the impact on the Armenian culture,
especially in art.
Dr. Cowe is Naregatsi Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA
and is an internationally recognized authority on the Armenian language. He
is a founding member of the Association Internationale des Etudes
Arméniennes (1983). Dr. Cowe received his PhD in Armenology from Hebrew
University and has taught at Columbia University (1984-1996) and at UCLA
since 1996. Dr. Cowe is the author of Commentary on the Divine Liturgy by
Xosrov Anjewatsi (1991), The Armenian Version of Daniel (1992), and Modern
Armenian Drama: An Anthology (2001), among other books.
Der Mugrdechian has been teaching for more that10 years in the Armenian
Studies Program at CSUF. He has served as the President of the Society for
Armenian Studies (2000-2004) and currently is the SAS Treasurer.
Relaxed parking will be available in Lots A and J after 7:00 PM the night
of the lecture. For more information on the presentations, contact the
Armenian Studies Program at 278-2669.
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**
10 - USC Armenian Institute Gala Honors
Judge Tevrizian and Raises $700,000
By Eva Emerson
The USC Institute of Armenian Studies hosted a gala banquet on Oct. 2 to
honor federal judge and USC alumnus Dickran M. Tevrizian Jr. for 32 years
of public service. Tevrizian was the first Armenian-American to be
appointed to the U.S. federal bench.
The evening marked the second community event organized by the USC
Institute of Armenian Studies which was launched by USC College in
February, and raised an estimated $700,000 in new gifts for the institute's
endowment, which now totals $1.5 million. With a broad mission to increase
understanding of modern Armenia and Armenians, the institute is envisioned
as a multidisciplinary center of research and learning that will respond to
the needs of the Armenian community.
The institute is the first academic center of its kind, said Joseph Aoun,
dean of USC College. Created in close partnership with the local Armenian
community, it also represents a model for a new, more collaborative and
responsive kind of town-and-gown relationship.
Dean Aoun was among the 25 speakers, including former Gov. George
Deukmejian, who saluted Tevrizian as an outstanding jurist and community
leader during the evening's program. Aoun called Tevrizian one of USC's
most distinguished alumni and thanked him for his early support of the
institute.
Close to 850 guests gathered at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City to
celebrate Tevrizian as he assumed the new status of Senior U.S. District
Judge. Attendees included Tevrizian's USC fraternity brothers, professional
colleagues, distinguished public figures, religious leaders, family,
friends and admirers, including more than 200 of his current and former law
clerks and externs.
Providing plenty of accolades - and good-natured ribbing about his fierce
loyalty to the USC football team and his matchmaking prowess - speakers
praised Tevrizian's accomplishments as well as his integrity, fairness and
deep commitment to mentoring young lawyers. Speakers included luminaries in
law and business such as Edward Roski Jr., USC trustee and CEO of Majestic
Realty Co.; Ronald Tutor, USC trustee and president and CEO of Tutor-Saliba
Corp., a leading construction firm;
Kinko's founder and USC alumnus Paul Orfalea; and Armand Arabian, a former
member of state supreme
court. USC Trustees Stanley Gold, John F. King and Alfred Mann attended the
banquet, as did former Gov. Pete Wilson, Sheriff Lee Baca, USC Athletics'
Mike Garrett, and a long list of prominent attorneys and judges.
During the evening, Tevrizian was awarded a Medal of Honor from the
Armenian Apostolic Church. A letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
congratulating Tevrizian was included in the program.
Decades of Service
Tevrizian began his judicial career at age 31, when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan
appointed him to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1972, making him the
youngest judge ever appointed to the judiciary at that time. Six years
later, Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. elevated him to a post on the California State
Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. In 1982, Tevrizian returned
to private law practice until 1986, when President Ronald Reagan selected
him to serve on the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California.
Tevrizian graduated cum laude from USC with a B.S. in finance in 1962,
before attending USC Law School. After earning his law degree, he joined
and became a partner in the law firm of Kirtland and Packard. Later, he was
a partner in the law firm of Mannet, Phelps, Rothenberg and Tunney and Of
Counsel to the law firm of Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard.
He has received many awards, including: being named Trial Judge of the Year
by the California Trial Lawyers Association in 1987; the Ellis Island Medal
of Honor Award in 1999; the Maynard Toll award from the L.A. County Bar
Association for his service to the underprivileged in 2002; and the Emil
Gumpert Award for his efforts in promoting alternate dispute resolution in
2005.
In 1997, Tevrizian joined a delegation of distinguished U.S. jurists led by
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to visit the newly independent
Armenian Republic to assist in the development of a democratic legal
system. Last month, he returned to Armenia with several members of the
institute, where he met with the Armenian pontiff Karekin II and government
officials.
Awakening a Sleeping Giant
Ever since the establishment of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, its
director, Richard Hrair Dekmejian, has received a flurry of calls about
possible events and projects. It seems, he said, that the institute is an
idea whose time had come.
"We have awakened a sleeping giant," said Dekmejian, a professor of
political science in the College. "We've had call after call - one group is
interested in hosting a symposium on economic development in Armenia, one's
interested in Armenian classical music and another in the music of the
Armenian church."
The institute aims to promote Armenian-related scholarship and activities
in a wide range of fields, from dance, music and the arts to politics,
religion and community affairs. Addressing concerns of the community will
be a top priority.
A key purpose of the institute in Tevrizian's eyes is to focus on the next
generation, connecting Armenian-American students with internships,
scholarships, advisors and professional mentors. His hopes for the nascent
institute, Tevrizian said, is to create a "home" for young
Armenian-Americans at USC.
"The impact of this institute will extend far beyond USC," said dean Aoun,
a key architect of the institute. "It will help the world to understand the
many contributions of Armenians to society, as well as to remind them of
the tragic history of the Armenian people."
At the gala celebrating the institute's launch in February, the enthusiasm
of the Armenian-American community for the institute was evident. Among the
575 guests attending was a virtual "Who's Who?" of the community, including
Judge Tevrizian, USC Trustee Roski and Gerald Papazian, College alumnus and
member of the College Board of Councilors.
In June, the institute co-hosted a well-attended symposium and lunch in
conjunction with a visit by His Holiness Karekin II. Event speakers
explored the impact of globalization on the Armenian church and related
themes.
On Oct. 15, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies will host an all-day,
public conference entitled "The Christian Response to Violence." Speakers,
including the visiting church leader Catholicos Aram I, will examine
violence from the micro-level - in families, gangs and schools - all the
way up to terrorism and genocide.
For more information about the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, call
213-821-3943 or email: [email protected].
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From: Baghdasarian
1 - Commentary
Armenians Should Squeeze Concessions
Out of Turkey During EU Negotiations
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The Califorrnia Courier
2 - Armenian Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian Visits Los Angeles
3- Hebrew University Armenian Faculty
Join International Conference in Spain
4 - Turkish Professors Speak at
UCLA on Armenian Relations
5 - State Trade Office Opens in Armenia
6 - UACC Banquet Set for Nov. 12
7 - AYF Gathers 200 Youngsters
For Little Armenia Clean Up
8 - Founder of California Courier, Financier
George J. Mason, Passes Away at 74
9 - UCLA's Prof. Cowe Will Speak on Origins
Of Armenian Alphabet at CSUF, Oct. 21
10 - USC Armenian Institute Gala Honors
Judge Tevrizian and Raises $700,000
************************************************** ***********************
1 - Commentary
Armenians Should Squeeze Concessions
Out of Turkey During EU Negotiations
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Turkey finally embarked on a journey that it had been anxiously awaiting
for more than 40 years. The long and arduous negotiations for Turkey's
membership in the European Union officially started last week and are
expected to last 10 or more years.
Armenians are of two minds over the benefits of Turkey joining the EU. Some
of them are of the opinion that Armenia is better off if its old nemesis is
kept under check by EU's strict code of conduct. Armenians in this camp
believe that a "civilized Turkey" is more apt to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, lift its blockade of Armenia, and conduct peaceful relations with
its neighbors.
Other Armenians believe that Turkey is simply going through the motions of
transforming itself, without having any honest intentions of doing so.
Besides, these Armenians believe that there are no guarantees that "an
enlightened Turkey" would be more inclined to recognize the Genocide.
Turkey could well become an EU member, and like Britain, still refuse to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Even worse, should Turkey not change its
denialist policy after joining the EU, Armenians would be deprived of
whatever clout they may have had in creating obstacles for its EU
membership. Furthermore, Turkey would have by then the largest population
among the EU countries, and thus be entitled to have the largest number of
votes in various EU councils. Turkey could thus block pro-Armenian
initiatives and help pass pro-Turkish and pro-Azeri resolutions in the EU.
Therefore, the time to get any possible concessions out of Turkey is now,
before it joins the EU.
Whether or not Turkey eventually becomes an EU member in 10 or 15 years
from now is very difficult to determine in advance. To begin with, no one
really knows with any degree of certainty the domestic and foreign
developments that would shape Turkey's decisions and as well as the
attitudes of Europeans about Turkey years from now. Here are some of the
factors that could influence the outcome of Turkey's EU membership
negotiations:
1) The social, economic and political conditions within Turkey that would
impact its government's desire to make the extensive changes required by
the EU negotiations framework;
2) The stability of neighboring Iraq and the repercussions on Turkey
arising from Iraqi and Turkish Kurds pursuing their national aspirations;
3) The social, economic and political conditions within various EU member
states, particularly the attitude of their citizens towards the influx of
more foreign workers at a time when they may be suffering from high
unemployment and social unrest;
4) The state of negotiations on the settlement of the Cyprus problem;
5) The clout of the US government in terms of its ability and willingness
to influence the EU on Turkey's membership;
6) Whether or not more terrorist acts are committed by radical Islamist
groups, particularly in Western Europe;
7) The results of the referendums that are to be held in several European
countries on whether to allow Turkey to join the EU; and
8) The status of Armenian-Turkish relations that are partly linked to the
outcome of the negotiations on the Karabagh conflict.
While Turkey will most probably have to lift its blockade of Armenia, since
"the EU-Turkey negotiation framework" document requires that it
unequivocally commit to "good neighborly relations," the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by Turkey is not certain at all. Aside from the repeated
non-binding resolutions adopted by the European Parliament demanding
Turkey' s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the EU itself has not made
such acknowledgment a part of its requirements for membership.
It would be naïve, if Armenians believe that they could block Turkey's EU
membership because of its non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide. If
several years from now, Turkey successfully fulfills all EU requirements
and settles the conflict in Cyprus, its EU membership would be just about
guaranteed. Armenians should not expect European countries to rise to their
defense, at the expense of their own self-interests. The Europeans would
care about Armenian issues only when they happen to coincide with or serve
their own national interests.
To be able to squeeze the maximum concessions out of Turkey, Armenia and
the Diaspora would need to make common cause with the majority of Europeans
who are strongly opposed to Turkey's EU membership. Turkish officials must
realize that unless they sit down at the negotiating table with Armenians
and try to accommodate some of their grievances, Armenians would work
tirelessly for the next 10 or more years to ensure that Turkey's membership
is delayed indefinitely. It is not in Armenians' interest to block Turkey's
EU membership, but to drag it out as long as possible. The longer the
negotiations take, the more concessions can be squeezed out of Turkey. This
is the logic behind the positions of Cyprus and Greece. Despite the fact
that they could have vetoed the start of Turkey's EU talks, Cyprus and
Greece allowed the talks to go forward with the aim of extracting
concessions from Turkey during the negotiating process. Had they used their
veto last week, they would have deprived themselves of the opportunity to
get any concessions from Turkey.
The interest of Armenians requires that, on the EU issue, Turkey remain a
bridesmaid, as long as it refuses to pay the dowry to become a bride!
************************************************** ************************
2 - Armenian Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian Visits Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES - Ambassador Tatoul Markarian visited Los Angeles on September
29 - October 2, for meetings with the Armenian-American community leaders
and organizations.
The Ambassador visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia
where he discussed the Consulate present and planned activities with Consul
General Gagik Kirakossian and Consulate staff. On Sept. 29, Ambassador
Markarian met with representatives of the Armenian-American political
organizations at the Consulate. Visiting the office of the Lincy
Foundation,
The Armenian envoy once more expressed appreciation for Lincy's large
scale projects in Armenia, which he said have left a permanent positive
imprint on Armenia.
The next day, Markarian attended welcoming receptions by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate, Western Diocese and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, Western Prelacy, where parish pastors, members of the Diocese and
Prelacy Councils, and local community activists were also present.
Later that same day, the Armenian Ambassador attended the Armenia Fund
reception as the guest of honor. The event was held in advance of the
Annual Telethon. On October 1-2, he also participated in the USC Gala
Banquet organized by the USC Armenian Studies Institute and in the AGBU
Annual Banquet.
Ambassador Markarian was interviewed by the Horizon TV, fielding questions
on Armenia's foreign policy, U.S.-Armenian cooperation, and
Armenia-Diaspora relations.
************************************************** ************************
3 - Hebrew University Armenian Faculty
Join International Conference in Spain
JERUSALEM - Last month, over 60 scholars of Armenian Studies gathered in
Vitoria, Spain for the Tenth General Conference of the Association
Internationale des Etudes Armeniennes (AIEA). Founded in 1980 by Professor
Michael Stone of the Hebrew University and Professor J.J.S. Weitenberg of
Leiden University in Holland, AIEA is an organization of scholars of
Armenian Studies, with its centre in Europe. The suggestion to found the
organization was made by Dr. Nira Stone.
The meeting was attended by scholars from all over Europe, America, Armenia
and the Middle East. From the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Sergio La
Porta, Prof. Stone and doctoral student Mikayel Arakelian all presented
lectures, while Dr. Nira Stone also participated. Hebrew University
Armenian Studies PhD graduate, Prof. Peter Cowe of UCLA, and former
Armenian Studies student Pablo Trojiano teaches at the Compultensian
University in Madrid. Former visiting researcher Prof. Theo van Lint,
Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian at Oxford University also joined in the
Hebrew University reunion.
All the Armenian Studies faculty from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's
Armenian Studies program were there and they all brought home new and
stimulating ideas. They were able to discuss matters with colleagues, and
as a result new directions of cooperative work are emerging and will soon
be announced.
Prof. Stone devoted his lecture to his recently completed translation of
the medieval Armenian epic poem about Adam and Eve, written by Arakel of
Siunik at the beginning of the 15th century. The poem, a complex
composition of quite startling beauty, contains over 5,500 lines of poetry,
which Prof. Stone translated into English poetry. It is presently being
considered for publication.
Quite different, but equally stimulating, Dr. La Porta presented a paper on
"The Earliest Armenian Scholia on the Works Attributed to Dionysius the
Areopagite." In addition to providing a linguistic analysis of the scholia,
Dr. La Porta posited the locus of their production and the context in which
they were composed.
Mikayel Arakelian described in detail the catalogue he has prepared of
illuminated late medieval Armenian manuscripts in Germany. This very
thorough work will make known several hundred unknown or little known
manuscripts. Mikayel is writing his doctoral thesis on the Armenian art of
New Julfa.
The Armenian Studies program at the Hebrew University was established in
1966.
For further information contact Prof. Michael E. Stone
([email protected]) or Dr. Sergio La Porta ([email protected]).
************************************************** *************************
4 - Turkish Professors Speak at
UCLA on Armenian Relations
LOS ANGELES - A unique presentation featuring "Three Turkish Voices on the
Ottoman Armenians," will be held Nov. 6 at UCLA's Court of Sciences 50
(Young Hall).
Sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian
History, the event will feature professors Taner Akcam of the University of
Minnesota, Elif Shafak, of the University of Arizona, and F. Muge Gocek, of
the University of Michigan.
Each academic will address recent developments in Turkish-Armenian
historical relations.
Prof. Akcam will present a new assessment of Ottoman documents. Prof.
Shahaf will speak on memory and literature. F. Muge Gocek will address the
recent Istanbul conference on Ottoman Armenians.
The event is open to the public at no charge. Daily parking at $8 is
available at Parking Structure # 2 (Westholme entrance at Hilgard Ave.).
For additional information, contact Prof. Richard Hovannisian at
[email protected].
************************************************** *************************
5 - State Trade Office Opens in Armenia
By Alex Dobuzinskis
L.A. Daily News
GLENDALE - California's trade office in Armenia opened Oct. 1, thanks to
the $75,000 raised by local members of the Armenian community to create
trade partnerships between the Golden State and the former Soviet republic.
The office will be in temporary quarters in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, in
a government building there. An English-speaking Armenian was appointed to
run the office, which will link importers and exporters between California
and the landlocked nation east of Turkey and north of Iran.
Because the money was raised privately, the state was able to open the
office in Armenia even though California's other foreign trade offices were
closed recently because of state budget woes. That could be a model for the
state if it opens other foreign trade offices, officials said.
"The Armenian officials that I met with are very excited about it because
they recognize that one of the ways as a developing country they're going
to progress is to count on the expertise and the products that would come
from a place like California," said Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, who was in
Armenia from Sept. 19-23.
Officials expect that the office will facilitate in the export of
information technology and health products going into Armenia and
help Armenian businesses export foodstuffs and other products to
California.
There is nearly $50 million in trade between Armenia and the United States,
most of it with California, said Berdj Karapetian, chairman of the
Glendale-based Foundation for Economic Development, which helped create the
trade office.
"There are quite a few individual business owners, midsize business owners
- not the multimillion dollar ones or the small mom-and-pop entities -
midsize businesses that are looking for business opportunities in Armenia
that are developing, but they're not sure the exact ways to go about it,"
said Karapetian, who works in marketing.
The office will facilitate that work that they need, he said.
No public money has gone into creating the trade office, and there could be
a need for additional fundraising in the future to keep the office
operating.
"I'd like to see it grow," said Annette Vartanian, executive director of
the Glendale-based Armenian American Chamber of Commerce. "Obviously, it's
going to start out small, but I'd like to see in the next couple of years
for the office to expand and to see a team of people working."
The office is overseen by the California Business, Transportation & Housing
Agency.
************************************************** *************************
6 - UACC Banquet Set for Nov. 12
HOLLYWOOD, CA - Members and friends of the United Armenian Congregational
Church (UACC) will gather for its annual banquet, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. in
UACC's Avazian Hall.
Dr. Donald Sunukjian, Talbot School of Theology Professor of Christian
Ministry and Leadership, Homiletics, will be the evening's keynote speaker.
He is a founding member of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and of the
Academy of Homiletics and Religious Communication Society.
Henry Abadjian will be the Master of Ceremonies. A member of the church
since 1976, Abadjian graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in
1978, and now operates Blue Diamond Company and Montrose Jewelers with his
brother, Jack. He has been an executive officer of the Armenian Aintabtsi
Cultural Association and the Armenian Evangelical College Alumni
Association.
Musical selections will be provided by Ruth (Ketenjian) Fitzgerald.
The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. with mezze, then dinner. Nina Kasbarian, a
member of the UACC Board of Trustees, is this year's banquet chair. During
the program, the annual Trustees' Person(s) of the Year will also be
presented.
For more information, call the church office at (323) 851-5265.
************************************************** ************************
7 - AYF Gathers 200 Youngsters
For Little Armenia Clean Up
LOS ANGELES - Well over 200 Armenian youngsters gathered in the "Little
Armenia" district of Los Angeles on Sept. 25 to provide volunteer service
to the Armenian Youth Federation's 3rd Annual Little Armenia Cleanup.
Volunteers from all over Northern and Southern California; including Fresno
and San Francisco, helped remove thousands of pounds of trash from major
streets in Little Armenia, bringing the three-year total to over 23.5 tons
of trash removed by the AYF.
Organized by the AYF and cosponsored by Los Angeles City Council member
Eric Garcetti's Office, the cleanup attracted volunteers from the public at
large and community organizations such as the AYF, Homenetmen Los Angeles
Chapter, and the ARF Badanegan Organization.
Before the clean up began, Nora Ounjian relayed the AYF Central Executive's
message to the youth. "The AYF will remain at the forefront of serving our
community and, in particular, will continue to provide our youth with
opportunities of social service," said Ounjian. Rev. Fr. Vicken Vassilian
representing Western Prelate, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, blessed
both the effort of the AYF and the volunteers' willingness to serve the
community.
Los Angeles City 13th District Council member Eric Garcetti thanked the
volunteers and welcomed the AYF's initiative.The Council member awarded the
AYF with a desktop plaque that carries the seal of the city of Los Angeles
and reads Little Armenia.
In the coming weeks many "Welcome to Little Armenia" light-post banners
will be added to the existing 63 erected from past years. Depicting the
Tri-color, Sardarabad Monument, and Mount Ararat, the banners have added a
touch of Armenia to the community.
The AYF took the opportunity to thank the official sponsors of the Little
Armenian Clean Up: Adin of California, Asbarez Daily Armenian Newspaper,
Horizon Armenian Television, Nor Hayastan Daily Newspaper, USA Armenian
Life Magazine, Closet World, Color Depot, Donoyan Insurance Agency,
Sylvie's Costumes, Carpet Show, Sun Work's Tanning, Eric Garcetti's Office
and staff, and the A.R.F. Hollywood Karekin Njteh Gomideh.
************************************************** ************************
8 - Founder of California Courier, Financier
George J. Mason, Passes Away at 74
By Jon Thurber
L.A. Times
George J. Mason, who founded the California Courier, the first
English-language Armenian newspaper in the state, and had a significant
career in finance as a senior managing director of the Los Angeles office
of Bear, Stearns & Co., has died. He was 74.
Mason died Oct. 5, according to a statement from MGM Mirage, where Mason
was a longtime board member. He was being treated for cancer at the time of
his death.
Terry Lanni, chief executive officer of MGM Mirage, which owns the Bellagio
and Mandalay Bay casinos in Las Vegas, called Mason "an incredibly
influential figure in the gaming and finance industries."
Born in Los Angeles, Mason earned his bachelor's degree in Slavic studies
from USC. He went on to earn a master's degree in political science from
Columbia University.
Mason served in the Air Force in the early 1950s. In 1958, he founded the
California Courier in Fresno and served as editor until 1970.
"I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that George's California
Courier was and will be remembered as a journal of Armenian life in
California," Vartan Oskanian, Armenia's minister of foreign affairs, said
in a statement released by MGM Mirage.
"George left a legacy for the Armenian community in the written word," said
Raffi Hamparian, a member of the board of directors of the Armenian
National Committee of America.
"He is a tribute to the Armenian experience in America that largely emerged
from nothing to become a vibrant and active community."
After leaving the paper, Mason entered the world of finance. He worked for
Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Investment Co. for several years in the 1970s
before joining Bear, Stearns & Co. in Los Angeles in 1973. According to the
announcement from MGM Mirage, Mason was a senior managing director at Bear,
Stearns & Co. from 1973 until his death.
Mason is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sally; their six daughters,
Cassandra Goehner, Melanie Goodman, Teresa Mason, George Ann Mason, Diana
Chakalian and Mary Mason; and his sister, Shirley Rakoobian.
A memorial service was held Oct. 8 at St. James Armenian Church, in Los
Angeles. A reception followed at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa
Monica.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests that any donations be made in
Mason's name to: Nevada Cancer Institute, Continued Research in the Field
of Bladder Cancer, 10000 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135.
************************************************** **********************
9 - UCLA's Prof. Cowe Will Speak on Origins
Of Armenian Alphabet at CSUF, Oct. 21
FRESNO - Dr. Peter Cowe of UCLA will speak on "The Origins of the Armenian
Alphabet and Its Cultural Impact" Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m., in the Alice
Peters Auditorium, Rm. 191 of the University Business Center on the Fresno
State campus.
The presentation is part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall 2005 Lecture
Series and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization.
Joining Dr. Cowe will be Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the ASP who will
speak on "The Political Situation in Armenia on the Eve of the Invention of
the Armenian Alphabet."
This year marks the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
Alphabet. Der Mugrdechian's presentation will explore the political
situation of the time, while Dr. Cowe will focus on the Armenian sources
for the invention and also discuss the impact on the Armenian culture,
especially in art.
Dr. Cowe is Naregatsi Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA
and is an internationally recognized authority on the Armenian language. He
is a founding member of the Association Internationale des Etudes
Arméniennes (1983). Dr. Cowe received his PhD in Armenology from Hebrew
University and has taught at Columbia University (1984-1996) and at UCLA
since 1996. Dr. Cowe is the author of Commentary on the Divine Liturgy by
Xosrov Anjewatsi (1991), The Armenian Version of Daniel (1992), and Modern
Armenian Drama: An Anthology (2001), among other books.
Der Mugrdechian has been teaching for more that10 years in the Armenian
Studies Program at CSUF. He has served as the President of the Society for
Armenian Studies (2000-2004) and currently is the SAS Treasurer.
Relaxed parking will be available in Lots A and J after 7:00 PM the night
of the lecture. For more information on the presentations, contact the
Armenian Studies Program at 278-2669.
************************************************** *************************
**
10 - USC Armenian Institute Gala Honors
Judge Tevrizian and Raises $700,000
By Eva Emerson
The USC Institute of Armenian Studies hosted a gala banquet on Oct. 2 to
honor federal judge and USC alumnus Dickran M. Tevrizian Jr. for 32 years
of public service. Tevrizian was the first Armenian-American to be
appointed to the U.S. federal bench.
The evening marked the second community event organized by the USC
Institute of Armenian Studies which was launched by USC College in
February, and raised an estimated $700,000 in new gifts for the institute's
endowment, which now totals $1.5 million. With a broad mission to increase
understanding of modern Armenia and Armenians, the institute is envisioned
as a multidisciplinary center of research and learning that will respond to
the needs of the Armenian community.
The institute is the first academic center of its kind, said Joseph Aoun,
dean of USC College. Created in close partnership with the local Armenian
community, it also represents a model for a new, more collaborative and
responsive kind of town-and-gown relationship.
Dean Aoun was among the 25 speakers, including former Gov. George
Deukmejian, who saluted Tevrizian as an outstanding jurist and community
leader during the evening's program. Aoun called Tevrizian one of USC's
most distinguished alumni and thanked him for his early support of the
institute.
Close to 850 guests gathered at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City to
celebrate Tevrizian as he assumed the new status of Senior U.S. District
Judge. Attendees included Tevrizian's USC fraternity brothers, professional
colleagues, distinguished public figures, religious leaders, family,
friends and admirers, including more than 200 of his current and former law
clerks and externs.
Providing plenty of accolades - and good-natured ribbing about his fierce
loyalty to the USC football team and his matchmaking prowess - speakers
praised Tevrizian's accomplishments as well as his integrity, fairness and
deep commitment to mentoring young lawyers. Speakers included luminaries in
law and business such as Edward Roski Jr., USC trustee and CEO of Majestic
Realty Co.; Ronald Tutor, USC trustee and president and CEO of Tutor-Saliba
Corp., a leading construction firm;
Kinko's founder and USC alumnus Paul Orfalea; and Armand Arabian, a former
member of state supreme
court. USC Trustees Stanley Gold, John F. King and Alfred Mann attended the
banquet, as did former Gov. Pete Wilson, Sheriff Lee Baca, USC Athletics'
Mike Garrett, and a long list of prominent attorneys and judges.
During the evening, Tevrizian was awarded a Medal of Honor from the
Armenian Apostolic Church. A letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
congratulating Tevrizian was included in the program.
Decades of Service
Tevrizian began his judicial career at age 31, when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan
appointed him to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1972, making him the
youngest judge ever appointed to the judiciary at that time. Six years
later, Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. elevated him to a post on the California State
Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. In 1982, Tevrizian returned
to private law practice until 1986, when President Ronald Reagan selected
him to serve on the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California.
Tevrizian graduated cum laude from USC with a B.S. in finance in 1962,
before attending USC Law School. After earning his law degree, he joined
and became a partner in the law firm of Kirtland and Packard. Later, he was
a partner in the law firm of Mannet, Phelps, Rothenberg and Tunney and Of
Counsel to the law firm of Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard.
He has received many awards, including: being named Trial Judge of the Year
by the California Trial Lawyers Association in 1987; the Ellis Island Medal
of Honor Award in 1999; the Maynard Toll award from the L.A. County Bar
Association for his service to the underprivileged in 2002; and the Emil
Gumpert Award for his efforts in promoting alternate dispute resolution in
2005.
In 1997, Tevrizian joined a delegation of distinguished U.S. jurists led by
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to visit the newly independent
Armenian Republic to assist in the development of a democratic legal
system. Last month, he returned to Armenia with several members of the
institute, where he met with the Armenian pontiff Karekin II and government
officials.
Awakening a Sleeping Giant
Ever since the establishment of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, its
director, Richard Hrair Dekmejian, has received a flurry of calls about
possible events and projects. It seems, he said, that the institute is an
idea whose time had come.
"We have awakened a sleeping giant," said Dekmejian, a professor of
political science in the College. "We've had call after call - one group is
interested in hosting a symposium on economic development in Armenia, one's
interested in Armenian classical music and another in the music of the
Armenian church."
The institute aims to promote Armenian-related scholarship and activities
in a wide range of fields, from dance, music and the arts to politics,
religion and community affairs. Addressing concerns of the community will
be a top priority.
A key purpose of the institute in Tevrizian's eyes is to focus on the next
generation, connecting Armenian-American students with internships,
scholarships, advisors and professional mentors. His hopes for the nascent
institute, Tevrizian said, is to create a "home" for young
Armenian-Americans at USC.
"The impact of this institute will extend far beyond USC," said dean Aoun,
a key architect of the institute. "It will help the world to understand the
many contributions of Armenians to society, as well as to remind them of
the tragic history of the Armenian people."
At the gala celebrating the institute's launch in February, the enthusiasm
of the Armenian-American community for the institute was evident. Among the
575 guests attending was a virtual "Who's Who?" of the community, including
Judge Tevrizian, USC Trustee Roski and Gerald Papazian, College alumnus and
member of the College Board of Councilors.
In June, the institute co-hosted a well-attended symposium and lunch in
conjunction with a visit by His Holiness Karekin II. Event speakers
explored the impact of globalization on the Armenian church and related
themes.
On Oct. 15, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies will host an all-day,
public conference entitled "The Christian Response to Violence." Speakers,
including the visiting church leader Catholicos Aram I, will examine
violence from the micro-level - in families, gangs and schools - all the
way up to terrorism and genocide.
For more information about the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, call
213-821-3943 or email: [email protected].
************************************************** ************************
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From: Baghdasarian