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California Courier Online, September 7, 2006

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  • California Courier Online, September 7, 2006

    California Courier Online, September 7, 2006

    1 - Commentary
    Hoagland Must not be Confirmed
    Until US Policy Change on Genocide
    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California Courier

    2 - Guzelimian to be Dean of Juilliard
    3 - California Trade Office in Yerevan
    Hosts Round Table Discussion
    4 - Yeprem Mehranian Appointed Principal
    Of San Francisco's KZV Armenian School
    5- St. James Autumn Concert Honors
    Contributions by Margaret Tolegian
    6 - Diocese Will Host
    Sept. 16-17 Festival
    Of Faith and Culture

    ***************************************** *************************
    1 - Commentary
    Hoagland Must not be Confirmed
    Until US Policy Change on Genocide
    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California Courier
    The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote on
    Sept. 7 on the nomination of Richard Hoagland, the
    Ambassador-Designate to Armenia. This is the third attempt by the
    Bush administration to get Hoagland confirmed ever since May when the
    White House first announced the recall of Amb. John Evans.
    On June 28 and August 1, the Foreign Relations Committee postponed
    action on Hoagland's nomination, after complaints from more than 60
    Congressmen and a dozen Senators from both parties about the lack of
    a clear statement by the State Department as to why Amb. Evans was
    being dismissed from the Foreign Service. The members of Congress,
    the media and the Armenian American community were all incensed that
    the administration, under pressure from Turkish officials and their
    lobbyists, would fire such a distinguished career diplomat simply for
    saying "Armenian Genocide," during a February 2005 pubic appearance
    in California.
    Hoagland's confirmation hearings have become a tug of war between the
    Bush administration and a large number of Senators who would like the
    U.S. government to reconsider its refusal to characterize the
    Armenian Genocide as such. Administration officials have been
    lobbying hard to get the members of the Foreign Relations Committee
    to vote for Hoagland on Sept. 7. Anticipating victory, they have
    already ordered the departure of Amb. Evans from Armenia. He is
    scheduled to return to the U.S. on Sept. 10.
    In a lengthy interview with Armenia's state TV, to be broadcast on
    Sept. 6, Amb. Evans spoke warmly of his time in Armenia and tried to
    avoid discussing the details of the controversy that led to his
    recall.
    When asked why his term as Ambassador to Armenia lasted only two
    years and not the usual three, he diplomatically replied: "As you
    know, there is no set term for an Ambassador. I said it before; I
    serve at the pleasure of the President. I am very pleased to have
    recently received a nice note from Pres. Bush, thanking me for my
    service here. I would note that the voyage of Kilikia [a replica of a
    medieval Armenian sailboat that has been sailing around Europe] and
    my term here in Yerevan have been almost exactly co-terminus. The
    Kilikia set sail in 2004 and I came here then. The Kilikia will come
    back to Armenia just a week or two after I depart. I think the
    coincidence makes my point. Three years' voyage by Kilikia would have
    been no better in a qualitative sense than 2 years."
    When asked if he has been offered a new diplomatic post, he replied:
    "It is true that when I leave here, I intend to go to New York and
    take a kind of a sabbatical year. Eventually, I expect to get back to
    Washington, but not any longer in the diplomatic service. I have
    resigned and I will be retiring from the diplomatic service, but not
    retiring to a life of inactivity."
    Asked to comment about his reference to the Armenian Genocide in
    February 2005 while visiting California, he said: "I have not
    discussed this question here in Armenia. There are some questions
    that we are talking among ourselves about in the United States. The
    record is clear and it is available on the American Embassy website
    for anyone who wants to see."
    When pressed further on whether he was leaving Armenia for having
    used the term "genocide," he replied: "I would not put it that way.
    You have said to that way. At some point, I may write a book and you
    will have the full picture."
    It is obvious from these remarks that Amb. Evans has remained a
    gentleman and a consummate diplomat to his last days in office,
    promising to disclose more about his controversial dismissal in his
    memoirs. Clearly, he is leaving his post with more of a sense of
    relief than bitterness.
    This week, all readers should contact their Senators and urge them to
    hold up the vote on Hoagland in order to force the Bush
    administration to reverse its immoral and unacceptable policy of
    refusing to characterize the Armenian Genocide as genocide. The
    Foreign Relations Committee should be asked once again to postpone
    the scheduled vote on Sept. 7. Should Hoagland make it out of
    Committee, the full Senate should postpone floor action on his
    nomination until the administration stops playing silly word games
    with the Armenian Genocide!
    **************************************** **********************************
    2 - Guzelimian to be Dean of Juilliard
    By Daniel J. Wakin
    The New York Times
    Ara Guzelimian, a Carnegie Hall executive and prominent voice in its
    artistic direction, is leaving to become dean of the Juilliard
    School, Juilliard said last week.
    Guzelimian, 52, will start July 1 after a six-month transition at the
    school, overlapping with the current dean, Stephen Clapp, who will
    retire and return to teaching full time. Guzelimian will stay on at
    Carnegie Hall this season as a consultant and as the host and
    producer of the Making Music series at Carnegies Zankel Hall.
    Guzelimian joined Carnegie as senior director and artistic adviser in
    1998. His position was important for classical music lovers in New
    York, given the halls increasing role as a presenter of performances
    and not just a rental space. In a telephone interview he said that in
    recent years he came to be most excited by Carnegie's training
    workshops and education programs and wanted to devote himself to the
    world of teaching.
    At Juilliard, he said, his emphasis would center on the role of the
    artist in society, or the subject of how do you engage in the society
    around you in the broadest and most unexpected ways, rather than the
    narrow definition of success for a young dancer, actor or musician.
    It was poetic justice, he said, that after working at a place
    considered the pinnacle of a performing career, he was moving to the
    opposite end of the continuum.
    I want a hand in shaping it, he said of an artist's career.
    Clive Gillinson, Carnegie's executive and artistic director, said he
    tried to induce Guzelimian to stay, but could not find a role with as
    much emphasis on education. He will eventually be replaced, Gillinson
    said.
    "He's a guy with phenomenal expertise, experience and breadth of
    knowledge and somebody who's obviously made an enormous contribution
    to Carnegie Hall," Gillinson said.
    At Juilliard, Guzelimian will be second in command to the president,
    Joseph W. Polisi. He will oversee faculty, hiring, the curriculum and
    the performance programs at one of the country's premier
    conservatories.
    Polisi said he had worked with Guzelimian on various projects and
    approached him about the job in March. I was very impressed with his
    thinking about larger issues, about the education of musicians in
    America and the role of the artist in America, he said.
    Guzelimian also lectures and writes on music, and has produced radio
    programs. He was simultaneously artistic administrator of the Aspen
    Music Festival and School and artistic director of the Ojai Festival
    in California in the 1990s. Before that he worked for 15 years at the
    Los Angeles Philharmonic as producer of its radio broadcasts and as
    artistic administrator.
    *********************************** **************************************
    3 - California Trade Office in Yerevan
    Hosts Round Table Discussion
    YEREVAN - In October of 2005 under the auspices of California
    Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the Foundation for
    Economic Development ("FED") was established to promote trade with
    Armenia and the surrounding countries. The FED operates the
    California Trade Office in Yerevan ("CATO") and is the only foreign
    trade representative for the State of California in the region.
    The mission of the Trade Office is to:
    Assist California companies to increase their exports to Armenia and
    the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, Eastern
    Europe, and Western Asia (region),
    Assist companies from the region and California who seek trading
    partners, and
    Serve as the "address" of the State of California in Armenia and the
    region.
    On June 29, 2006 the Californian Trade Office in Yerevan hosted a
    Round-table discussion with participation of various companies from
    California and Armenia. The discussion included the best practices
    and lessons learned as well as the major problems and obstacles that
    the companies face while conducting business in Armenia.
    The Round-table was attended by some 30 companies, representatives of
    the US Embassy, Armenian Government, American and Armenian Chambers
    of Commerce and FED Board Members. Dr. Arthur Khachatryan, the CATO
    Executive Director, made a presentation about the role and functions
    of foreign trade office in general; as well as the peculiarities of
    the CATO in Yerevan in terms of its geographic coverage, management
    and financing. The CATO web site, http://www.armenia.ca.gov/en/, was
    also demonstrated.
    "We stand ready to assist any company that wishes to expand its trade
    relations in the region..." said Dr. Khachatryan in his introductory
    remarks.
    After answering numerous questions regarding the type of services
    provided, the mandate and mission of the Trade Office, the companies
    shared their experiences of doing business in Armenia and the
    problems they found most troubling. It was agreed that despite the
    difficulties mainly associated with administration of some laws, the
    situation was gradually improving.
    The participants of the Round-table unanimously agreed to organize
    discussions and consultations on a regular basis. They also advised
    the Trade office to form either one general Consultative Group or
    several Groups dealing with specific sectors of the economy.
    Currently, CATO is providing in-country consultation in the form of
    several feasibility studies and relationship development for
    California businesses that are interested in making investments in
    Armenia.
    CATO will also be participating at the Diasporan Conference and
    Economic Forum in September with a trade mission from California that
    will be composed of various California businesses and FED Board
    Members.
    For inquiries regarding the CATO or the FED, contact them through
    their web site, http://www.armenia.ca.gov/en/.
    ******************* ************************************************** *****
    4 - Yeprem Mehranian Appointed Principal
    Of San Francisco's KZV Armenian School
    LOS ANGELES - Yeprem Mehranian was appointed the new principal of the
    San Francisco Krouzian Zakarian Vasbouragan Armenian School, the
    Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools announced last week.
    Mehranian's educational background includes a Masters of Science
    degree in Elementary Education, a Masters in Fine Arts, and a
    Bachelors degree in the Arts. Currently, he is completing his
    dissertation for a Doctorate degree from the University of
    Massachusetts, within the Department of Teacher Education and School
    Improvement, and is expected to earn his Ph.D before Christmas.
    He has had experience in a variety of educational areas including
    teaching, teacher education and curriculum development. He has had
    many years of experience at elementary, middle, and high school
    levels. He has a well-rounded understanding of Armenian educational
    and cultural issues and the educational needs of students attending
    private Armenian schools. He knows first hand the challenges the
    Armenian families face in the Diaspora and has a great understanding
    of these challenges based on his extensive research and teaching
    experience, the Baord of Regents said..
    Mehranian has been employed at various universities such as American
    University of Armenia, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and
    Ramallah Friends School in West Bank.
    "We have great confidence in Mr. Mehranian's administrative and
    educational capabilities" said Board of Regents chairperson Dr.
    Rubina Peroomian. "Having received his higher education in the
    United States and with his years of experience at various
    universities and communities, we are certain that he will be able to
    further advance the educational growth of our students at K.Z.V.
    Armenian School. We were introduced to Mr. Mihranian's theoretical
    and practical knowledge in Armenian education during the Board of
    Regents seminar on the Reevaluation of Armenian Education at Woodbury
    University in June of 2004.
    ********'**************************************** *************************
    5 - St. James Autumn Concert Honors
    Contributions by Margaret Tolegian
    LOS ANGELES - The St. James Armenian Apostolic Church and The
    Armenian Allied Arts Association will jointly present a special
    program on Oct. 1 honoring the contributions of Margaret Tolegian
    whose devotion to the Armenian community and beyond has been
    extremely notable.
    Following the Divine Liturgy, the program will be held during a
    special luncheon in the Church's John Gogian Hall, 4950 W. Slauson
    Ave., in Los Angeles.
    The month of October is traditionally recognized by Armenians as
    "Cultural Month."
    Father Arshag Khachadourian, Parish Priest of St. James Church
    contends, "It is most fitting to present and honor the memory of Mrs.
    Tolegian, whose generosity has served to enrich the lives of others.
    She has generously shared her art collection, and the gifts of many
    artists, with her friends and the church."
    The luncheon will start at 1:30 PM, and the program will follow at
    2:30 PM. An art exhibit, featuring the work of Helen Kasparian, a
    long time special friend of Margaret's, will be on display. Helen's
    husband, Oshyn, and Margaret were classmates at UCLA, and Margaret
    married Dr. Aram Tolegian on the same day Helen married Oshyn
    Kasparian.. .
    The musical program features musical selections by Margaret's son,
    David Tolegian and his Jazz Ensemble. In addition, the audience will
    be treated to selected works by other musical notables.
    Tickets for the luncheon are $25.00 each and may be obtained by
    calling Bob Melcon, Chairman of the event, at 310-474-0551, Maurice
    Yotnegbarian (818)553-1134, or the church office, (323)295-4588.
    *********************************** ***************************************
    6 - Diocese Will Host
    Sept. 16-17 Festival
    Of Faith and Culture
    BURBANK, Calif. - On Saturday and Sunday, September 16, and 17, the
    first Festival of Faith and Culture will take place on the grounds of
    the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, at 3325 North Glenoaks
    Boulevard, Burbank.
    Under the auspices of Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the
    Festival will feature traditional and contemporary Armenian
    music, artists, still art, performing arts, literary arts, and Divine
    Liturgy.
    Some of the participating artists include: Winds of Passion, Element,
    Andre Danik, Gor Mkhitarian, Arax & Alik Garabedian, Elon Sarafian,
    Sako, George Baghdoyan, Hovig Krikorian, Adiss Harmandian, Sosie,
    Rima Garibedkian, Gagik Badalian, Michael, and Harut Hagopian.
    There will also be a special program for children.
    Admission and parking at the Festival are free. For information,
    contact the Diocesan Office at 818-558-7474, or visit
    www.festivalwd.com
    ************************* *************************************************
    ************************************************** ************************
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