OC ARMENIAN COMMUNITY SUPPORTS MARASHLIAN LECTURE ABOUT KARABAKH AT UCI
http://asbarez.com/106743/oc-armenian-community-supports-marashlian-lecture-about-karabakh-at-uci/
Monday, November 26th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Prof. Marashlian makes a presentation on Karabakh at UC Irvine
IRVINE-The fairly new Armenian Studies Department at UCI hosted a
lecture by Professor Marashlian titled "The Karabakh Conflict from
Ceasefire to Safarov: An Analysis via Television News Coverage."
Sylvie Tertzakian welcomed the crowd and gave a brief synopsis of how
the Armenian Studies program at UCI was founded, thanking those who
had given their time and money for its creation. She invited history
Professor Touraj Daryaee, who was instrumental in the establishment
of Armenian history courses at UCI, to introduce Professor Levon
Marashlian to begin his presentation.
During the lecture Professor Marashlian chronicled the war and
subsequent ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh via the media. He outlined the
enormous loss of life to both populations and highlighted the tragedies
faced by the civilian populations. The professor emphasized the
importance of Karabakh to Armenia, the influence of oil in the region,
the politics behind the negotiations including Turkey's involvement and
motivations, the conflicting international principles of maintaining
territorial integrity versus the right to self determination, and
the need for a lasting solution securing the independence of Karabakh.
More than 100 community members, students, and educators attended
the presentation, including a small group Azerbaijani students and
their friends. Immediately following the lecture Marashlian addressed
concerns and questions posed by those in attendance. Some of the
Azerbaijani attendees attempted to ask questions out of context and
with distorted facts, to which Marashlian patiently provided further
details with a factually accurate account of the situation surrounding
Nagorno-Karbagh.
The ARF "Armen Karo" Gomideh had previously informed the Armenian
American community in Orange County about this important lecture
series hosted by the UCI Armenian Studies program, specifically the
importance of supporting the UCI Armenian Studies program to ensure the
success of such programs within an academic setting and to continue
educating the public with factually accurate information. A few days
prior to the event the Gomideh received word that there may be an
attempt by various Azerbaijani groups to disrupt the presentation and
worked closely with the ANCA Orange County chapter to mobilize the
community. Both churches announced the lecture and representatives of
the AYF and sister organizations attended along with the UCI Armenian
Students Association.
ARF "Armen Karo" Gomideh Chairman, Garo R. Madenlian stated,
"Professor Marashlian did a tremendous job informing those present
about the multi-faceted political issues surrounding Artsakh, while
at the same time countering the government of Azerbaijan's attempt
to misinform the public and rewrite history." He went on to explain
that it is more important today than ever to support programs such as
this which provide factual and truthful information in light of the
ever growing and increased activism of some Azerbaijani and Turkish
groups organizing in Orange County and said, "The Armenian community
in Orange County has come together and will remain strong and unified
in our efforts to secure a just resolution to the Armenian Cause."
In addition to the ARF, AYF and ANCA, members of Forty Martyrs and St.
Mary Churches, AGBU, AG Minassian Armenian School, ARS, Hamazkayin,
Homenetmen, OCAPS, and of course UCI ASA supported the program by
attending the presentation.
In the coming months the ARF will be inviting all of these Armenian
organizations and institutions in Orange County to a meeting to discuss
future projects within the community, including the annual Armenian
Genocide commemoration and a special internship program designed
by ANCA OC that will assist young Armenians to gain professional
experience in their careers and at the same time get acquainted with
the various community based organizations.
From: Baghdasarian