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California Courier Online, July 20, 2006

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  • California Courier Online, July 20, 2006

    California Courier Online, July 20, 2006

    1 - Commentary
    Do US Ambassadors Serve at the
    Pleasure of Pres. Bush or Turkey?
    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California Courier
    2 - Triple X Fraternity
    Hosts Annual Picnic
    In Orange County
    3 - Geragos Estate BBQ Will
    Benefit St. Gregory Church
    4 - Glendale Students
    Receive Coca-Cola
    $1,000 Scholarship
    5 - 'Little Armenia' Play to Premiere
    August 11at The Fountain Theatre
    ****************************************** ********************************
    1 - Commentary
    Do US Ambassadors Serve at the
    Pleasure of Pres. Bush or Turkey?

    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California Courier

    After months of avoiding to state the true reason for firing John
    Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Matthew Bryza, the U.S.
    co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, inadvertently disclosed two weeks
    ago that Amb. Evans was indeed dismissed for recognizing the Armenian
    Genocide.
    Asked by Anna Hakobyan, a reporter for the Yerevan-based Armenian
    language newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak, "When will Amb. Evans's
    successor, Richard Hoagland, come to Armenia and what was the real
    reason for the recall of Amb. Evans?" Mr. Bryza was quoted as saying:
    "Amb. Hoagland will come to Armenia immediately after his
    confirmation, I think in one or two weeks. "It is not honest to say
    that Amb. Evans has been recalled. Some people have also said that he
    is being dismissed from the Foreign Service. That is not true. Each
    Ambassador in general serves the President. This means that he must
    follow the policy of the President. And Pres. Bush's policy regarding
    these horrible events - the mass killings of Armenians - is very
    clear, as he refers to them in his annual statements. Of course, if
    someone disagrees with the policy of the President, he can make his
    own decision, but he must not express it in public. We all serve the
    President and our job is to support his policy. Of course, our job is
    also to give him advice, but when it comes to our public statements,
    we must support the President's policy." Ms. Hakobyan vouched that
    she had accurately translated Mr. Bryza's words into Armenian, which
    were then translated back into English by this writer.
    Mr. Bryza is the first U.S. official to disclose the true reason for
    the dismissal of Amb. Evans. He gets high marks for that, even though
    he and his colleagues at the State Department have been giving all
    sorts of false and evasive answers for months. Mr. Bryza gets very
    low marks, however, for the rest of his statement. He had no way of
    knowing when Amb. Hoagland would be arriving in Yerevan. In fact, not
    one, but two weeks have passed since he made that false prediction,
    and Amb. Hoagland is still in Washington, waiting to see if and when
    the Senate would confirm his nomination. Mr. Bryza is also not
    telling the truth when he says that Amb. Evans was not dismissed from
    the Foreign Service. Mr. Evans was in fact fired!
    Anyway, it is not within the purview of Mr. Bryza's job, as U.S.
    negotiator on Artsakh (Karabagh), to make wild and inaccurate
    predictions on the confirmation of U.S. Ambassadors. Such decisions
    are made by the U.S. Senate, not by a junior State Dept. official.
    Another indication of Mr. Bryza's improper and amateurish behavior
    was that within days of his recent appointment as U.S. co-chair of
    the Minsk Group, he unilaterally disclosed some of the details of the
    confidential Artsakh negotiations. He thus violated the agreement
    that was made between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan as
    well as the three co-chairs of the Minsk Group (Russia, France and
    U.S.) not to make public their delicate negotiations until a
    preliminary agreement has been reached between the conflicting
    parties. Rather than forcing Armenia and Azerbaijan into a compromise
    solution, he has in fact compromised the negotiations, perhaps
    irrevocably.
    Such a serious violation of protocol is probably the result of Mr.
    Bryza's inexperience in diplomatic work. It is obvious that he is not
    qualified to conduct such complicated negotiations. Given his
    unprofessional behavior, Pres. Bush may want to reconsider the
    appointment of Mr. Bryza to such a critical position. Otherwise, it
    would be difficult to avoid making the obvious conclusion that the
    Bush Administration does not take seriously the Artsakh conflict.
    This week, the President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, snubbed Mr.
    Bryza by refusing to meet with him during the latter's visit to
    Cyprus. If Mr. Bryza continues to undermine the Artsakh negotiations,
    the Presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan may also refuse to meet
    with him, leaving Pres. Bush no choice but to replace him with a more
    experienced senior diplomat.
    Complicating matters further, Mr. Bryza's long-time partner is a
    woman by the name of Zeyno Baran. Normally, it would be inappropriate
    to drag a diplomat's personal life into a political commentary. In
    this case, however, there are special circumstances that justify such
    a reference. Ms. Baran herself has introduced her personal
    relationship with Mr. Bryza into the public domain on several
    occasions, by openly referring to her ties with him. In her speeches
    and reports, she often thanks Mr. Bryza for giving her "tremendous
    intellectual and personal support." They often lecture together at
    various venues both in the U.S. and overseas.
    Ms. Baran, a native of Turkey, is opposed to various Armenian issues,
    including the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On March 8, 2005,
    as the Director of International Security and Energy Programs for the
    Nixon Center, she told the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that
    she is opposed to the congressional resolution on the Armenian
    Genocide. "Given the prevalent Turkish view that the U.S. is running
    a campaign against Turkey, it would be very damaging if the Armenian
    Genocide resolution passed Congress this year," Baran testified.
    "This year is the 90th anniversary of the tragic 1915 massacre and
    certainly Armenian Diaspora groups would like to get recognition.
    However, such a resolution would play right into the hands of the
    growing set of anti-Americans and ultra-nationalists in Turkey," she
    said.
    Last week, in an interview with the Mediamax news agency, Ms. Baran,
    now the Director of the Center for Eurasian Policy at the Hudson
    Institute, defended Mr. Bryza's partial release of the documents on
    the Artsakh negotiations. She also said that she still believes what
    she told the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee last year that
    "the strength of Armenian Diaspora limits U.S. ability to encourage
    democratic change in Armenia."
    It is no wonder that during a trip to Turkey last year, Mr. Bryza
    unabashedly declared: "I am thrilled to be back in Turkey. Turkey in
    many ways feels for me like a second home. I cant' spend enough time
    in your beautiful country. I hope to be back soon and often." One
    would hope that Mr. Bryza would soon realize his wish and retire in
    Turkey permanently!
    In the meantime, a growing number of Senators are continuing to
    question the recall of Amb. Evans. So far nine members of the Senate
    Foreign Relations Committee -- half of the committee (5 Republicans
    and 4 Democrats) -- have submitted written questions to Amb. Hoagland
    seeking clarification on the State Dept.'s policy on the Armenian
    Genocide. Even though he has been promptly responding to the
    Senators' s letters trying to expedite his confirmation, Amb.
    Hoagland's answers remain evasive and unsatisfactory.
    In a new and major setback for Amb. Hoagland's confirmation, the Los
    Angeles Times published a strongly-worded editorial on July 16,
    urging the Senate to "block the nomination altogether until the
    ambassador-to-be dares to utter the g-word. And the Bush
    administration should have the courage of its lack of conviction and
    explain forthrightly -- not just to Armenian Americans but to all
    Americans who believe in calling evil by its proper name -- why U.S.
    policy is being dictated by Ankara nationalists." This editorial,
    titled "Armenian Genocide: Speak No Evil?" and subtitled (on the
    internet version), "The White House's cowardly and secretive refusal
    to call Turkey's genocide of Armenians by its proper name," is the
    second one published by the L.A. Times since March 22, 2006, taking
    to task the Bush administration's refusal to acknowledge the Armenian
    Genocide.
    So far, the Senate has blocked the nomination of Amb. Hoagland,
    despite Mr. Bryza's inaccurate, inappropriate and arrogant
    prediction! The political tug of war continues between those who seek
    full and proper disclosure on the premature recall of Amb. Evans and
    those who play vulgar word games with genocide!
    **************************************** **********************************
    2 - Triple X Fraternity
    Hosts Annual Picnic
    In Orange County
    ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orange County chapter of the Triple X
    Fraternity will host its 31st Annual Family Picnic at Miles Square
    Regional Park in Fountain Valley on July 23.
    Live Armenian music will be provided by the Tom Bozigian Orchestra.
    Armenian foods will be also available. Games will be provided for
    children.
    The event begins at 12 noon at Shelter Area #3, (the original area),
    16801 Euclid St. in Fountain Valley. The location offers plenty of
    parking, shade and tables and chairs.
    For more information, visit: http://www.trexfraternity.com or call
    Ron Sarouhan at (714) 968-2346 or Naz Horasanian at (949) 361-5466.
    **************************************** *********************************
    3 - Geragos Estate BBQ Will
    Benefit St. Gregory Church
    PASADENA - The home gardens of Mark and Paulette Geragos will be
    setting for St. Gregory Armenian Church's Summer barbecue on July 22.
    The proceeds from the event will benefit the church's new
    construction/
    According to Joan Meymarian, chair of the Ladies' Society and Serop
    Stephanian, Men's Forum chair, the party will begin at 4 o'clock
    featuring a multi-course dinner served by Robert's Catering, wine
    pairings by sommelier Albert Meymarian, music for dancing and
    listening with DJ Melcon and Lori Tatoulian, actress-comedienne,
    presenting a comedy skit.
    In keeping with the wine pairings theme, three categories of
    sponsorships, Rothschild, Opus One and Mondavi are available to those
    who wish to participate. Complimentary tickets accompany each
    category.
    "The Ladies' Society and Men's Forum are hopeful that everyone
    interested in being a part of the completion of our new church will
    attend this event which promises to be entertaining and rewarding in
    every way," states Ms. Meymarian.
    *************************************** ***********************************
    4 - Glendale Students
    Receive Coca-Cola
    $1,000 Scholarship
    GLENDALE - Glendale Community College students David Arakelyan and
    Sabine Freij have each been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the
    Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
    Arakelyan is President of the Associated Students and the Student
    Trustee at the college and Freij has served as Vice
    President of Campus Activities.
    Through the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the
    Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students
    attending higher education institutions granting two-year degrees.
    All recipients have demonstrated academic success and participated
    in community service within the past 12 months.
    Now in its 7th year of funding the Coca-Cola Two-Year colleges
    Scholarship Program, the Foundation has provided $2.8 million in
    scholarship awards to students attending two-year degree granting
    institutions and more than $29.7 million towards the Coca-Cola
    Scholars Program during the past 18 years.
    ********'********************************** *******************************
    5 - 'Little Armenia' Play to Premiere
    August 11at The Fountain Theatre
    LOS ANGELES - The world premiere of the "Little Armenia" play will
    take place Aug. 11 at Hollywood's The Fountain Theatre.
    Almost two years ago, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the
    City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department provided modest
    grants for the Fountain Theatre to develop and produce a play
    reflecting on the modern day and culture of "Little Armenia," a part
    of Hollywood officially designated as such the city of Los Angeles.
    The Theatre is located in the middle of the designated area.
    Since then, the Fountain Theatre went to work and recruited Lorig
    Bedikian, Aram Kouyoumdjian and Shahe Mankerian to go out to "Little
    Armenia" and then write a play based on their interviews,
    observations and findings. The result is a compelling
    inter-generational story.
    "The need and desire to represent human diversity is why we are
    producing our next play of the season, 'Little Armenia,'" the Theater
    spokespersons explained.
    In addition, project producer and director, Armina LaManna and
    co-Artistic Director Deborah Lawlor have called for broad community
    support for this artistic effort. The Fountain Theatre is a
    non-profit 501 © (3) organization and donations to it are entirely
    tax deductible
    L.A. City Councilmember Eric Garcetti, whose 13th district
    encompasses 'Little Armenia" has called for full support to the
    community arts project.
    "Little Armenia has been and continues to be a major economic and
    cultural hub for the high concentration of Armenian families,
    businesses and churches in Los Angeles, and the Fountain Theatre has
    played a major role in the cultural and social life of Little
    Armenia," Garcetti noted.
    "I fully support the Fountain Theatre and 'Little Armenia,'" Garcetti
    observed, urging public financial support for the project.
    For more information, call Stephen Sachs (323) 663-2865, and Armina
    LaManna (818) 545-7369.

    *************************************** ***********************************
    The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the
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    --Boundary_(ID_0FvltsgWwB6NPq5X53e4rg )--
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