National, International, Armenia, and Community News and Opinion

Arame:Even toughguys can bevulnerableSee story on page C4 mArmenian president congratulatesUSArmenia TV on first anniversarySee story on page 10mPelosi speaksat ArmenianGenocideeventSee photo-essayon page 3 mWestern U.S. EditionNumber 111April 25, 2009the armenianreporterPractically the entire population of Armenia once again paid its respects at the Armenian Genocide memorial monument at Tzitzernakaberd, Yerevan, April 24, 2009. Photo: Tigran Tadevosian/Photolure.Armenians around the worldcommemorate the GenocideTurkey acknowledges that it will not openborder with Armenia anytime soonVisit us at reporter.amSee story on page 1 m

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009NationalWashington briefingby Emil SanamyanObama, Biden toutgenocide preventionOn April 23, President BarackObama and Vice President JoeBiden both took part in eventsto mark Holocaust RemembranceDay.In a speech at the Capitol Rotunda,Mr. Obama stressed the importanceof confronting genocidedenial as well as working towardgenocide prevention.“We have the opportunity to commitourselves to resisting injustice,intolerance, and indifferencein whatever forms they may take,whether confronting those who telllies about history or doing everythingwe can to prevent and endatrocities,” the president said.Genocide prevention should betreated “not just as a moral imperative,”but also as a “national securitypriority,” Vice President Bidensaid in remarks at a U.S. HolocaustMemorial Museum event.Responding to genocide is “strategicallynecessary,” he said. “Whengenocide goes unchecked America’scredibility and leadership is tarnished.”U.S. endorses Armenia-Turkey talksVice President Joe Biden telephonedPresident Serge Sargsiantwice this week to discuss Armenia’stalks with Turkey, and theState Department encouraged thetwo countries to reach “normalization[of relations] without preconditionsand within a reasonabletimeframe.”According to the Armenian president’soffice, the first conversationtook place on April 20. Just twodays later the Armenian and Turkishforeign ministries issued a jointstatement. That April 22 statementcommitted Armenia and Turkey tocontinued talks on normalizationof relations in accordance with a“road map” that has not yet beenmade public. The same day, theState Department welcomed thedevelopment in a press release.In a follow-up call on April 23, Mr.Biden welcomed the “statement regarding[Armenia’s and Turkey’s]commitment to normalize their relations,”the White House press officereported the same day. He also“applauded President Sargsian’sleadership, and underscored theAdministration’s firm support forboth Armenia and Turkey in thisprocess.”Clinton-era officialre-appointed as U.S.’Caspian envoyOn April 20 Ambassador RichardMorningstar was appointed SpecialEnvoy for Eurasian Energy to“provide the Secretary [of State]with strategic advice on policy issuesrelating to development, transit,and distribution of energy resourcesin Eurasia.”Amb. Morningstar alreadyworked in similar capacity in1998–99, before being appointedU.S. ambassador to the EuropeanUnion (1999–2001). In 1995–98,Mr. Morningstar was the official incharge of U.S. aid programs in theformer Soviet republics. In recentyears he was an adjunct lecturer atHarvard and Stanford universities.Amb. Morningstar is now likelyto focus on what is known as theNabucco gas pipeline – intendedto link non-Russian gas producerssuch as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan,and possibly Iran to Europeanconsumers via pipelines that don’tcross Russia and thus reduce Europe’sdependence on that country.In recent months, the Nabuccoscheme came under greater strainas Azerbaijan hinted it might sellits natural gas to Russia, and Turkeysought to use the project asleverage in its talks with the EU,which has already authorized someinitial funding for the gas pipeline.fHillary Clinton plays up Armenia-Turkey, Karabakh talksby Emil SanamyanWASHINGTON – Secretary ofState Hillary Clinton this weekexpressed optimism about Armenia-Turkeytalks and the Karabakhpeace process. Speaking justhours before Armenian GenocideCommemoration Day in hearingsheld by congressional committees,Mrs. Clinton did not refer to andwas not asked about the genocide.Like predecessor CondoleezzaRice before her, Mrs. Clintononly alluded to the Genocide as“shared tragic history” that needsto be addressed by Armenians andTurks.At the House Foreign Affairscommittee on April 22, the subjectof Armenia was brought up by TurkeyCaucus co-chair Rep. RobertWexler (D.-Fla.) who asked about“possible extraordinary breakthroughs”between Armenia andTurkey. Turkish officials and theirWashington lobbyists have beenplaying up the likelihood of sucha “breakthrough” for weeks, whilesimultaneously warning U.S. leadersnot to refer to the Genocide, asthat might prevent the would-be“breakthroughs.”Mrs. Clinton responded that shehas “been very encouraged by thebold steps that have recently beentaken by Turkish and Armenianleaders to reconcile their countrieswith each other and with theirshared and painful past.” She didnot specify the “bold steps,” addingthat the United States has beenasked to and was supporting Armenia-Turkey“reconciliation” efforts.(The hearing was held just beforethe Armenia-Turkey statementwas made public. See page 1 andbelow.)The Karabakh conflictMr. Wexler also asked about theKarabakh conflict. In response,Mrs. Clinton said the United StatesPres. Obama atthe Holocaustmemorial eventon Apr. 23 WhiteHouse photo.Vice Pres. Biden on Apr. 23. White House.has “assured the government ofAzerbaijan that we will intensifyour efforts to resolve the conflictover Nagorno-Karabakh and otheroutstanding issues between Azerbaijanand Armenia.”She promised that the UnitedStates would continue to be “deeplyengaged” through the OSCE MinskGroup, adding that she hoped that“there will be some resolution in thenext month.”Asked about that latter comment,Deputy Assistant Secretaryof State Matt Bryza declined tocomment on the secretary’s statedtimeframe, but said that he, alongwith the French and Russian envoysfor Karabakh talks “welcomecontinuing progress in efforts withArmenia and Azerbaijan to resolvethe final differences in the BasicPrinciples for a Nagorno-Karabakhsettlement.”In a comment to the ArmenianReporter, Mr. Bryza added, “Thepresidents of Armenia and Azerbaijanare demonstrating mutualrespect for each other, as they engagein give-and-take discussionsthat are gaining momentum.”Foreign aidAlso at the hearing, committeemember Rep. Brad Sherman (D.-Calif.) suggested that the UnitedStates should increase aid to Armeniaand either “eliminate or at leastmaintain parity” in military aid toAzerbaijan; the secretary of statewas expected to respond to that issuein writing.On April 23, Mrs. Clintonspoke to the House Foreign OperationsSubcommittee, whichauthorizes foreign affairs funding,to request an additional $7billion for State Department andforeign operations as part of an$84 billion in supplemental fundingrequest for wars in Afghanistanand Iraq.The supplemental also included“assistance for Georgia that theMorningstar. AFP.Hillary Clinton during April 22 HouseForeign Affairs Committee hearing.prior administration promisedthat we believe we should fulfill,”Mrs. Clinton said in a preparedstatement. Shortly after the warlast August, the Bush administrationpledged $1 billion in aid toGeorgia.fTurkey, Armenia acknowledge that border will not be opened soonn Continued from page Mr. Erdogan’s announcement effectivelyruled out the normalizationof relations with Armenia inthe foreseeable future.In the run-up to April 24, Yerevan,Ankara, and Washingtonrepeatedly indicated that a dealon opening the border was imminent.Asked in Istanbul on April 6about pre-election pledges that aspresident he would recognize theArmenian Genocide, Mr. Obamahad argued that talks betweenArmenia and Turkey could “bearfruit very quickly very soon” andhe did not want to “tilt” in favor ofeither side, presumably by speakingcandidly about the ArmenianGenocide.In testimony before the HouseForeign Affairs Committee on April22, Secretary of State Hillary RodhamClinton said she had “beenvery encouraged by the bold stepsthat have recently been taken byTurkish and Armenian leaders toreconcile their countries with eachother and with their shared andpainful past.”The joint statement on April22 reported “tangible progressand mutual understanding,” butmade it clear that Mr. Obama’shopes that the talks would “bearfruit very quickly” were not justified.ARF prepares to quitgovernmentThe Armenian RevolutionaryFederation prepared to withdrawfrom Armenia’s coalition governmentin protest. In a statementon April 23, it condemned thetiming of the joint statement andwhat it called “a negative changein the direction of Armenia’s foreignpolicy.”The party controls the ministriesof education, agriculture, and socialsecurity and 16 seats in the 131-seat National Assembly. Its withdrawalwill not cause the collapseTurkey and Armenia, togetherwith Switzerland as mediator,have been working intensivelywith a view to normalizing theirbilateral relations and developingthem in a spirit of good-neighborliness,and mutual respect,and thus to promoting peace, securityand stability in the wholeregion.The two parties have achievedtangible progress and mutual understandingin this process andthey have agreed on a comprehensiveframework for the normalizationof their bilateral relations in aof the four-party coalition, butwill significantly expand the parliamentaryopposition, which nowincludes only the Heritage Party,with 6 seats.fJoint Statement of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of theRepublic of Armenia, the Republic of Turkey and the SwissFederal Department of Foreign Affairsmutually satisfactory manner. Inthis context, a road-map has beenidentified.This agreed basis provides apositive prospect for the on-goingprocess.22 April 2009

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009InternationalArmenian Caucusco-chair Rep.Mark Kirk (R.-Ill.) addressesthe congressionalcommemorationof the ArmenianGenocide onApril 22, withother memberswaiting theirturn, from left:Caucus foundingco-chair Rep.Frank Pallone, Jr.(D.-N.J.), Reps.Jackie Speier(D.-Calif.), JimMcGovern (D.-Mass.), AdamSchiff (D.-Calif.)and Ed Royce(R.-Calif.) Photo:ArmenianReporter.In comments on April 22 Rep. Tim Walz (D.-Minn.) said he was disappointedwhen President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position on theArmenian Genocide during his recent trip to Turkey. Photo: Armenian Reporter.Rep. Jim Langevin (D.-R.I.) did not miss the congressional commemoration of theArmenian Genocide even though April 22 is his birthday. At the commemoration,he was recognized by Speaker Pelosi for his commitment to Armenian Genocideaffirmation. Photo: Armenian Reporter.Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressing at the annual congressional commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 22. Shecalled for “mass mobilization” to surmount opposition to the Armenian Genocide resolution but did not pledge to act on themeasure now backed by more than 100 members of the House of Representatives. Photo: Armenian Reporter.House MajorityLeader Rep.Steny Hoyer(D.-Md.) saidhe would againco-sponsor theArmenian Genocideresolution.He would notrespond directlywhen asked bythe ArmenianReporter whetherthe congressionalleadership wasready to disagreewith the Obamaadministrationon the genocideresolution, ifnecessary, sayinghe remainedhopeful therewould be nodisagreements.Photo: ArmenianReporter.

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009NationalEdward Djerejian: Armenia’s future depends ongood relations with neighborsRetired Ambassadordiscusses his life,his book, andrecent ArmeniadevelopmentsA leading expert on U.S. policy inthe Middle East, Edward Djerejianserved in the State Departmentfrom 1962 to 1994, receiving numerousawards and distinctions.His postings included ambassadorto Syria (1989–91) and Israel (1994),and he served as Assistant Secretaryof State for Near East Affairs(1991–93).After his retirement from theForeign Service, Amb. Djerejianbecame the founding director ofthe James Baker Institute forPublic Policy at Rice University inHouston. He has remained activein international affairs. In 1999 hespearheaded a mediating missionto Armenia and Azerbaijan thathelped launch talks between thepresidents of the two countries. In2003, at the request of the secretaryof state, he chaired an AdvisoryGroup on Public Diplomacy inthe Arab and Muslim World and in2006 he was a senior policy advisorto a bipartisan Iraq Study Group.His book Danger and Opportunity:An American Ambassador’sJourney through the Middle East wasreleased last September. He spokewith Washington editor EmilSanamyan on April 17.A child of refugees anda U.S. ambassadorArmenian Reporter: Looking backat your career, what would you sayhas been the recipe for your successas an American diplomat?Edward Djerejian: A great dealof perseverance and hard work, beingmotivated by serving our country.I think public service is a veryworthy endeavor in life. I alwaysfelt it was a privilege to representthe United States of America bothabroad and in Washington withvarious foreign governments.And I also think it is a tributeto our country that the Americandream of accepting immigrantsfrom all over the world and assimilatingthem to our society andgiving them equal opportunities toachieve what they wish to achieveis a rather unique model.In my book, I recounted [telling]my own family story to then PresidentHafez al-Asad when I justbegan my posting as ambassadorto Syria.“After a brief exchange of pleasantriesover Arabic coffee andsweets, Asad noted my Armenianname and asked me about my familyorigins. I recounted how, asyoungsters, my father and motherhad escaped the Turkish massacresduring the 1915–18 period,when the Young Turk governmentwas pursuing its genocidal policyagainst Armenians, and how theyfled to Syria, where they were givenrefuge.“My mother’s father, a police officialin the Armenian town of Kharpout,was executed, and her mothersucceeded in bringing her and hersisters to Aleppo, in northern Syria,for a short period, then took themto the coastal town of Jbeil (Byblos)in Lebanon, where there wasa Danish orphanage for Armenianyoung girls.“In his upper teens, my father escapedthe ‘Death March’ that forcedArmenians to travel on foot fromtheir homes in eastern Turkey tothe Syrian Desert town of Deir az-Zor, an ordeal during which hundredsof thousands died” (Dangerand Opportunity, pp. 84–85).Mr. Djerejian’s parents eventuallymade their way to the United Stateswhere they started a family. EdwardDjerejian was born in New York Cityin 1939. And 70 years after his parentscame to Syria as refugees, he wasnominated to be U.S. ambassador inthe same country.ED: I think this [family story] issymbolic of much of what Americais about.Denied assignments inAnkara and MoscowAR: While there are equal opportunitiesin U.S. public service forindividuals of various backgrounds,outside the United States ethnicand other biases are still a norm.Did your background ever deny youan opportunity abroad as an ambassadorto a particular country oran envoy on a specific issue?ED: It is true that as a memberof a minority group I had to worka little harder in order to competeand if you will make the grade andcome up the career ladder. But thatis probably true of all ethnic Americansthat have to break new ground– you just have to work harder atthe beginning to establish yourself.When I came into the Servicein early 1960s, I don’t think therewere any ethnic Armenians in theForeign Service. But I didn’t feelany discrimination per se.The only assignment denied tome was being assigned to [the U.S.Embassy in] Turkey, because I wasan Armenian and the State Departmentthought that could causeproblems with the Turkish government.Once, I got a call and was asked ifI had any objections to being addedto a list of potential nominees forambassador to Turkey. I said absolutelynot, but also that I didn’tthink it was going to happen.Also, I was on the list to be ambassadorto Russia. And that becamea case study of where my nominationdid not go through because Iwas Armenian.President George Bush-41 andSecretary of State Jim Baker nominatedme to be the ambassador toSoviet Union. It was 1991 and thatwas the time of the break-up of theSoviet Union.Word came back from the lastforeign minister of the USSR,Aleksandr Bessmertnykh, thatalthough the Soviet governmentwould be very pleased with Djerejianbeing nominated and that therewas no ad hominem objection, therewas a problem coming from [thenstill Soviet] Azerbaijan. The Azeris’objection was that having an Armenian-Americancould be prejudicialfor their interests and therefore thenomination was not forwarded.And as a result, I was appointedassistant secretary in charge ofMiddle East policy, and we endedup going to Washington instead ofMoscow.Karabakh missionAR: How did the February 1999mission come about with you andAmbassador Peter Rosenblatt goingto Armenia and Azerbaijan?ED: That was an initiative thatI took as director of the Baker Institute,where we have a conflictresolution forum. And we havedone track-II projects, includingIsraeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Syrian tracks, which we continueto do.At that point the Nagorno-Karabakh issue was quite on theagenda. And I thought we couldprovide a track-II dimension to theofficial talks that were on and off. Iestablished a small team, and Amb.Rosenblatt was on the team andserved very well. I even had my sonGregory Djerejian serve as a rapporteurfor our talks and a coupleof other people.We had the assistance of Robert(Vache) Manoukian, a very wellknownbusinessman in London,and very involved in Armenianissues. He was going to Armeniaat the time in any case and verygraciously offered his plane for usto do shuttle diplomacy betweenBaku and Yerevan, which we did. Itwould have been near impossible todo the same on commercial planesflying between Baku, Moscow, andYerevan.In the end, we were able to narrowsome of the issues and presentthem to the two governments aswell as the U.S., the Europeans, andthe Turks. I don’t want to exaggeratethe importance of what we did,but I think it was useful.We never went back because theOSCE Minsk Group work picked upsince then. But I did a lot of workwith the State Department advisingboth Secretary Madeleine Albrightand Secretary Colin Powellon the situation in subsequentyears.There was a terrible missed opportunityin 2001. Secretary Powellcalled me at one point and saidthat we have a window where President[George W.] Bush and I canget involved to get the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations moving forward.And that was about the timeof the meeting [between Armenianand Azerbaijani presidents] in KeyWest, Florida.So I called our contacts to urgethem to be as positive as possible.What I stressed to them is that it isnot often when an American presidentis ready to focus on Armenian-Azeri relations and Nagorno-Karabakh. That it was a pricelessopportunity to take advantage of.Amb. EdwardDjerejianUnfortunately, that opportunitywas squandered.AR: Did President Heydar Aliyevhave an issue with you as anArmenian-American mediating?ED: I don’t think so. I think theywere a bit surprised over the initiativeI took. And one of the Azeriofficials said in Baku that we arevery impressed with the fact thatnot only that you came to Baku andthat you also brought your son.These gestures in diplomacy cansometimes be very important.Talks with Turkey“really hold promise”AR: What is your sense of negotiationsunderway today?ED: As you know the high-leveltalks between presidents of Armeniaand Azerbaijan continue. Andthere these extremely importanttalks between the governments ofArmenia and Turkey, which reallyhold promise right now. And it issomething that I absolutely encourage.I have been promoting Armenian-Turkish reconciliation for yearsand working behind the sceneswith both sides to encourage this.And over the last year I have seensome real progress. I met with [Armenian]Foreign Minister EdwardNalbandian in London – that wasmonths ago – and that was the firstindication that I got that somethingserious was afoot.We had some track-II talks withthe Turks and Armenians on reconciliationissues. But now it is reallyupfront at the highest levels of bothgovernments. And that is really theway to go to deal with the borderopening and the genocide issue ina context of enhanced relations betweenTurkey and Armenia.AR: How would you assess theskill level of Armenian diplomacyover the past decade and a half?Are there any ups and downs thatyou could identify?ED: I have seen the ArmenianForeign Ministry evolve over theyears. It needed serious training ofits diplomats. It needed serious reorganizationand obviously neededto have the full support of whoeverwas the president of Armenia.Over the last few years I haveseen the improvement in capabilityof the Armenian Foreign Service.And we had the activism offoreign ministers. We have hadtwo [activist] foreign ministers,Vartan Oskanian and now Nalbandian.I have to say that there isnow professionalism that I had notseen before and the ability to thinkoutside the box and not just play topolitical constituencies, Armenianor foreign.Armenia has begun to take amore defining role in foreign policyissues that are really critical to thefuture of Armenia. Be it with Azerbaijan,Turkey, Russia, the UnitedStates, France, or other powers, Ithink now the Armenians have begunto play their hand much moreskillfully and effectively.I have met both President SergeSargsian and Minister Nalbandianand I think they understand thatArmenia has a lot of assets. Eventhough it is a small state and relativelyweaker in relation to someof its neighbors like Turkey or Russia,Armenia is a state that sits atcrossroads.Armenia is a Christian nation,and should Turkey normalize itsrelations with Armenia, that wouldreally enhance its chances to enterthe European Union.If peaceful relations are establishedwith Azerbaijan and Turkey,you could see some of the pipelinesrouted through Armenia as well.Also, Armenia has a strong relationshipwith the United States becauseof the very vibrant and activeArmenian-American community.Armenia has been supported byboth Democratic and Republicanadministrations and is deservingof U.S. support.Armenia does have a lot of problems.It needs to reform internally,build up its economy, get rid ofcorruption, and make the politicalexperimentation with democracymore real.But once the strategic alignmentaround Armenia is improved, particularlyvis-à-vis Azerbaijan andTurkey, Armenia can look forwardto a bright future.AR: Say the Turkish and Azerbaijanigovernments, for whateverreason, decline to establish relationswith Armenia. What is theformula for survival in a state ofcontinuing confrontation?ED: That would be a very serioussetback for Armenia and all countriesof the region, including Turkeyand Azerbaijan. But that wouldonly be one failed effort. Everyonewould have to re-assess the situationand see how they could pick upthe pieces again.I don’t see any way forward otherthan state to state relations betweenArmenia and Turkey and Armeniaand Azerbaijan. If talks fail, we’ll justbe wasting time and the populationsContinued on page m

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009InternationalBerge Setrakian underscores AGBU’s dedication tohomeland-Diaspora symbiosisNEW YORK – On March 22, 2009,AGBU President Berge Setrakianarrived in Yerevan for discussionswith Armenia’s leaders on thechallenges faced by the Armenianpeople and issues pertaining tohomeland-diaspora relations, inlight of new international, regionaland Armenian community realities,as well as to follow up on, give newimpetus to, and bring into focusthe goals of AGBU’s programs in thehomeland.In the course of this visit, Mr. Setrakianmet with Karekin II, Catholicosof All Armenians, SergeSargsian, President of the Republicof Armenia, Tigran Sarkisian,Prime Minister of Armenia, HovikAbrahamian, Speaker of the NationalAssembly, Hranush Hakobyan,Diaspora Minister, EdwardNalbandian, Minister of ForeignAffairs, and Spartak Seyranian,Minister of Education, accompaniedby members of the AGBU CentralBoard of Directors Vasken Yacoubianand Yervant Zorian, theVice Chairman of the AGBU SCDCHaig Messerlian, and the directorsof the AGBU RepresentativeOffice in Armenia.At his March 23 meeting withthe Ms. Hakobyan, Mr. Setrakianstressed the necessity of adoptinga strategy that goes beyondtraditional approaches and organizations,taking the new diasporanrealities into consideration. Astrategy based on a clear analysisof priorities that address the interestsof young diasporan Armenianswho are not involved or feeldistanced from traditional Armeniancommunity life. During themeeting, Ms. Hakobyan expressedher satisfaction about the productiveactivities being carried out byAGBU in both the homeland andthe diaspora. She also presenteda brief overview of the ministry’sprograms for maintaining nationalidentity and bringing Armenianstogether, along with programs adoptedby the Armenian presidentand government to foster cooperationbetween Armenia and Armeniancommunities around theworld.Mr. Setrakian acknowledged theimportance of the activities of theDiaspora Ministry, wherein the balancedmerger of civil society andgovernmental approaches will inevitablylead to anticipated results.Special emphasis was placed on programsdeveloped by AGBU in recentyears that provide social and academicexperiences to diasporan Armenianyouth in Armenia, in light ofthe potential these programs havein raising awareness and cultivatinga sense of national identity.Following this meeting, Mr. Setrakianmet with Mr. Seyranian,Armenia’s Minister of Educationand Science. During the meeting,issues of mutual interest were discussed,especially those pertainingto AGBU’s educational programs,and particularly the soon-to-belaunchedAGBU Virtual College.Through the application of thelatest information technology, thisnew AGBU initiative creates opportunitiesfor individuals scatteredall over the world to access creditbearingand in-depth informationon topics of Armenian language,history, and culture.The same day, Armenian PrimeMinister Tigran Sarkisian receivedMr. Setrakian and Mr. Yacoubian ofthe AGBU Central Board. Mr. Sarkisianexpressed thanks to AGBU andits leader personally, adding thathe was satisfied with the courseof the implementation of projectsunderway by AGBU. Mr. Setrakianstated that through its projects inthe homeland, AGBU is engaged inthe task of connecting membersof the young diasporan Armeniangenerations to their national rootsand inspiring them with the realityof the homeland. He expressed theconviction that while the impact oftraditional organizations and theiractivities has weakened in the diaspora,and the new generation is distancingitself from Armenian lifeand gradually losing the language,Armenia remains the only strongfoothold that can inspire and energizethe youth and ignite in theman interest and pride in their identityand heritage.On March 24, Mr. Setrakian andMr. Yacoubian were received bySpeaker Abrahamian. The Speakerhighly praised AGBU’s activity in Armeniaand welcomed the programsaimed at acquainting the youth withnational traditions, culture and history,while strengthening their tieswith the homeland. Mr. Setrakianunderlined AGBU’s commitment tocontinue its extensive programs inthe homeland despite the internationalfinancial and economic crisis.He noted AGBU’s vision of buildinga contemporary center in Yerevanfor young Armenian specialists andintellectuals, endowed with all thenecessary resources.Later on, Mr. Setrakian and Mr.Yacoubian had a meeting with ForeignMinister Nalbandian and theydiscussed supporting Armenia’sforeign policy, defending Armenianrights and assisting Armeniandiplomatic missions abroad.The same day, Karekin II receivedMr. Setrakian at the MotherSee of Holy Etchmiadzin. Duringthe meeting, Mr. Setrakianunderscored the important role ofthe Armenian Church and clergyin the spiritual and national life ofthe Armenian people, pointing outBerge Setrakian in Yerevan.Prime Minister with Vasken Yacoubian and Berge Setrakian.the necessity of putting the priorityof that role above other issues.On March 25, the opening ofthe new building of the sportsand cultural center took place inthe Nubarashen district of Yerevan.In cooperation with theWorld Bank and Armenian SocialInvestment Fund, AGBU helpedrealize the Nubarashen Sportsand Cultural Center by underwritingmore than 55 percent ofthe overall cost. In response tojournalists’ questions, Mr. Setrakianexpressed joy for the openingof such a building in the communityfounded by Boghos Nubar,which can be considered apayment of respect for the memoryof AGBU’s founder. Participatingin the opening ceremonywere Mr. Setrakian, AGBU CentralBoard of Directors membersMr. Yacoubian and Mr. Zorian,World Bank Executive DirectorEdward Djerejian: Armenia’s future depends on goodrelations with neighborsn Continued from page in these countries would suffer. Andwe can never rule out prospects ofanother war with Azerbaijan.But why waste more time, whenparameters of a settlement betweenArmenia and Azerbaijan andbetween Armenia and Turkey arepretty well defined.Genocide affirmationAR: Over the years, many Armenian-Americansmust have askedyou about what to do to have ourgovernment take a clear standon the Armenian Genocide andsend an unambiguous message toTurkey. Why you think that campaignhas been unable to achieveits stated goal over the last 30-plus years?ED: The reasons are geopoliticalin terms of U.S. interests inthe broader Middle East region.Turkey is a major NATO ally. It is asecular state with majority Muslimpopulation. There are manygeopolitical assets that Turkeyoffers to the United States andtherefore every administration,Democratic or Republican, hasbeen hesitant to alienate theTurkish government on the genocideissue.That has been a clear factor in thereluctance of American presidentsand administrations to come outand call it genocide.We Armenians can be frustratedover the fact that the word isnot used specifically. But for yearsI have been saying that the onlyway this issue is going to be resolvedis through state-to-staterelations between Armenia andTurkey.The issue is not just about theuse of the word but about dealingwith the genocide issue in asustainable manner. That is whyI am bolstered by the latest newsfrom Armenia. [Ed. Note: the conversationtook place before the April22 joint statement by Armenia, Switzerland,and Turkey.]fBerge Setrakian with President Serge Sargsian.Rudolf Yan Trefers, ArmenianSocial Investment Fund DirectorAshot Kirakosian, Nubarashencommunity leader Mher Hovhannisian,colleagues of thecommunity administrative center,and prominent communityfigures.The same day, Mr. Setrakianand other AGBU leaders attendedan awards ceremony for the Yerevanfinals of the Yerevan RepublicanInterscholastic ChessOlympiad. For the second yearin a row, AGBU is sponsoring theinterscholastic chess Olympiad,together with Armenia’s Ministryof Education and Science andthe Chess Academy of Armenia.The sponsorship of the interscholasticchess Olympiad is one ofAGBU’s newest youth programsand it is designed to generate interestin chess and identify futuretalents, through whom Armeniacan maintain its standingas a frontrunner in internationalchess competitions.In the evening of the same day,President Sargsian received Mr. Setrakian.During their meeting, Mr.Sargsian expressed high appreciationfor AGBU’s activity in Armeniaand the diaspora for the benefit ofthe nation and preservation of theArmenian identity. He also hailedthe organization’s new programs inArmenia.Mr. Setrakian, in turn, briefedthe Armenian president on AGBU’supcoming programs. They spokeabout preserving the diaspora’spotential, rallying diasporan Armeniansaround national goals andmaintaining the Armenian identity.During their meeting, Mr. Sargsianand Mr. Setrakian exchanged opinionsabout certain national issuesof political significance.On the evening of March 25, Mr.Setrakian and the members of theCentral Board of Directors had ameeting with the staff of the AGBUArmenian Virtual College (AVC),to assess the work being done inthe various developmental aspectsof the program. AVC has alreadylaunched a pilot version of theirinitiative which is open to the publicfor review and feedback at www.avc-agbu.org.Established in 1906, the ArmenianGeneral Benevolent Union(AGBU) is the world’s largest nonprofitArmenian organization.Headquartered in New York City,AGBU (www.agbu.org) preservesand promotes the Armenianidentity and heritage througheducational, cultural and humanitarianprograms, annually servingsome 400,000 Armenians in35 countries. f

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009 9

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009 11Communityon first anniversaryplex is the western anchor of CSMedia City in Yerevan.The large financial investmentsand the vast network of antenna,cable, satellite, and Internet portalswere created by CS Media tofulfill Mr. Cafesjian’s vision for aprofessional, global Armenian medianetwork – a network rooted inhis desire to help Armenia and theArmenian people survive.Mr. Cafesjian has said he feelsstrongly that if, for any reason,Armenia no longer existed, in effectthe Genocide would be complete.He believes it would only bea couple of generations before theArmenian community – throughdissipation, intermarriage, and theloss of a strong, central identity– becomes a footnote of history. ForMr. Cafesjian, it is of utmost importancethat Armenia – the homeland– survive.To ensure his philanthropic effortsare fully utilized in Armenia,Mr. Cafesjian created the CafesjianFamily Foundation (cff) in 1996after his retirement from WestPublishing.The twin goals identified for cffwere to help bolster relations betweenthe United States and Armeniaand to work on strengtheningthe Republic of Armenia, primarilythrough economic development.Childhood and careerMr. Cafesjian grew up in New York,served in the U.S. Navy, finishedlaw school, and worked in the NewYork offices of West Publishing forover a decade. He then moved toMinnesota to work at West Publishing’sheadquarters until he retiredin 1996.Grateful for the blessings of success,Mr. Cafesjian would like to seeArmenia and Armenians experiencethe opportunities that he hasexperienced throughout his career.A core component of Mr. Cafesjian’svision for Armenia is tomaintain a solid friendship withthe United States, and he consistentlycontributes to this goal byremaining active on the politicalfront, helping build relationshipswith American elected officials,including administration and Congressmembers. Many Armenian-Americans commend Mr. Cafesjianfor helping to better the dialogue,improve mutual understanding,and ultimately deepen relationsbetween the United States and Armenia.cff and mediaMr. Cafesjian’s interest in mediadeveloped well before he had establishedhis endeavors within theframework of the Cafesjian FamilyFoundation. His interest in investingin media stems from the factthat media help shape public discourse,help inform and educate,and entertain. These are all importantaspects in Armenia’s transitionfrom a Soviet-style republicinto an independent nation withits own democratic values and economicprinciples. Participating inmedia was one way Mr. Cafesjianwanted to share values that wereimportant to him with the Armeniancommunity.Fueling Mr. Cafesjian’s interest inmedia was his vision that a medianetwork could be built not only inArmenia but globally, and becomea dynamic way of connecting theworldwide Armenian nation.cff’s media enterprise beganwith an investment in journalistictraining, which grew into aninvestment in broadcast media,which then grew into radio andprint. Starting from Armenia, cffworked outward as Armenia TVwent up on satellite and becameavailable in Europe, Russia, and theMiddle East, then eventually in theUnited States, in 2005.The recent launch of US-ArmeniaTV advances Mr. Cafesjian’svision of connecting Armeniansaround the world through media.Mr. Cafesjian was pleased to havebeen able to share media contentcreated in Armenia with the restof the world starting in 2005, andhe is extremely pleased now thathe can take U.S.-based productionback into Armenia. Thus thecreation of US-Armenia TV hasclosed an important loop for CSMedia, enabling it to take thehomeland-diaspora bridge andmake it a conduit for a true twowaydialogue.Daily on US-Armenia TV and ArmeniaTV, hosts and guests talk livefrom the studios in Burbank withguests in studios in Yerevan, Moscow,and Paris. Participating in thedialogue about issues of interest toArmenians and Armenia are callersfrom all corners of the world.CS PublishingFour years ago CS Media establishedits publishing entity andhas since published a very popularweekly TV guide that offers entertainmentnews as well as specialsupplements for women and children.As Mr. Cafesjian believed that itwas important to have a significantprint publication in the UnitedStates as well, three years ago inMay, CS Media acquired the ArmenianReporter, one of a handful ofcommunity newspapers producedin the United States.The Reporter was primarily focusedon the New York-New Jerseyarea. But CS Media quickly expandedthe reach of the paper andmade it a national brand availablethroughout the country.The Reporter was redesigned, itseditorial team expanded, and it isdistributed on both coasts of theUnited States.Going forward, CS Media hopesto offer consumers news and informationfrom a variety of sources.Whether it’s via the Internet, You-Tube, e-mail, podcasts, television,radio, or print, CS Media is ableto deliver news, information, andentertainment to Armenians anywherein the world.As all these information technologiescome together and converge,CS Media is staying alertand creating a new, super mediamodel, where its journalists preparenews and information acrossmultiple platforms. Just like anyother media organization strivingto survive in an ever-changingmedia landscape, CS Mediais also continually evolving andadapting.HyeFilm in HollywoodThe legendary HyeFilm Studios,which was part of the studio systemcreated in Soviet Armenia, isnow represented in the entertainmentcapital of the world. CS Mediaacquired HyeFilm three yearsago, when the Armenian governmentoffered a national tender forthe privatization of the studios.After acquiring HyeFilm, CSMedia also obtained the rights toa film library and began to restore,digitize, and preserve an importantpart of Armenia’s national heritageand culture.The first goal for CS Media was toinvest in rehabilitating the existingfacilities at HyeFilm. Renovationscontinue, and the studios alreadyhave new roofing and windows. CSMedia hopes to complete its restorationof many of the facilities bythis summer.But more crucial than facilitiesand equipment in the process of rejuvenatingArmenia’s film industryis the need for talented professionals,according to CS Media managers.HyeFilm has already producedfour or five films over the lastcouple of years, and identified thenecessary components for developingthe industry: writers, actors,and cinematographers. HyeFilmofficials are also talking tomedia companies in Europe, India,and Hollywood to fuel interestin films being made in Armenia.Many foreigners are surprised todiscover that in a country as smallas Armenia, there are as many as50-75 microclimates. From heavyforest to desert, from beautifulwaterfalls to wide-open lakes andblooming prairies, Armenia offersa diverse mix of natural landscapesand backdrops for a varietyof scenes in films.Hollywood andArmeniaOne example of HyeFilm reachingout to the world to help developArmenia’s film industry is its involvementin the high-budget,mainstream Hollywood productionof filmmaker Robert Altman’s lastfilm, A Prairie Home Companion, writtenand starring radio and televisionpersonality Garrison Keillor.Because of Altman’s renown andhis ability to attract a number ofacclaimed actors and actresses tocome together to make the film,Mr. Cafesjian and HyeFilm co-producedthe film. The venture madeit possible for Mr. Cafesjian to hosta number of Armenians in Minnesotato watch and participate in thefilm’s production, and to meet witha very experienced director, thedirector of cinematography, andsome of the actors and actresses.The relationships that wereforged by the HyeFilm-Altmancollaboration include an importantconnection with the awardwinningand very talented KevinKline, who has had starring rolesin dozens of motion pictures.CS Media, with its new locationin Hollywood, is also tapping intoCalifornia’s large Armenian population,which continues to be activelyengaged in the film and entertainmentindustries. Talks are underwaywith gifted filmmakers, writers, andperformers of Armenian origin whowill help CS Media and USArmeniaTV develop news, information, andentertainment programming, includingtelevision series, as well asfeature films, for global audiences. connect:csmedia.amusarmeniaTV.comarmeniaTV.amOne of thepopularprograms onArmenia TV is MyBig Fat ArmenianWedding.

12 The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009CommunityArmenian Medical Fund, which helps stop TB in Lebanon,Armenia, and Karabakh, will host a New York receptionby Taleen BabayanNEW YORK – The ArmenianMedical Fund will host its first annualHelp Stop TB cocktail receptionon Saturday evening, May 15,at the Pratt House in New YorkCity. The reception will mark over50 years of the Armenian MedicalFund’s fight against tuberculosis inLebanon, Armenia, and Karabakh;it will also provide an opportunityfor people to become more awareof the work that amf does and thehelp and hope the organizationprovides for TB patients.The event “will be the first ofhopefully annual gatherings tothank and enlighten our supportersand entice new supporters tohelp amf with their endeavors,”said Houri Geudelekian, a memberof the Board of Directors.The cocktail reception, which willconsist of an open bar and delectablefood, will provide guests anopportunity to spend time with oldfriends and meet new ones. Therewill also be presentations and guestspeakers, and an emphasis will beplaced on educating people abouttuberculosis and TB-related issues.Since its inception in 1953, theArmenian Medical Fund has beenaiding tuberculosis institutions andhelping prevent TB in the MiddleEast, Armenia, and Karabakh. Onethirdof the current population hasbeen infected with TB, a deadly infectiousdisease that usually attacksthe lungs and is spread through theair when people who have the diseasecough, sneeze, or spit. In mostpeople, a healthy immune systemkeeps the disease dormant.When the Armenian MedicalCalendar of EventsFund was first established, it focusedits efforts on the NationalSanatorium in Azouniyeh, Lebanon.After Armenia gained its independence,amf began providing aidto TB centers and hospitals thereas well as in Karabakh. Last yearalone, 2,000 new cases of TB werereported in Armenia. New YorkTimes columnist Nicholas Kristofagbu issues appeal for victims ofthe Italian earthquakeNEW YORK – The agbu issuedan appeal encouraging itsmembers, friends, and the rest ofthe public to donate to its specialItalian Earthquake Relief Fund,which will ensure that the peopleinjured or left homeless by theApril 6 earthquake in central Italyare be able to recover as quicklyas possible.With 295 confirmed dead, hundredsinjured, and 30,000 peoplehomeless, this devastating naturaldisaster has wreaked havocin the region and created a largehumanitarian crisis. Charitableorganizations the world over arerushing to provide emergencyshelter, food and counselingto those affected by the earthquake,and Italian leaders havebeen working to soothe the fearsof those bracing for the aftershocks.“As a people who have seen firsthandthe destruction an earthquakecan have on the fabric of acountry, our hearts go out to theItalian people. We also rememberthat Italy was one of the firstcountries to rush to the assistanceof Armenia after the 1988 Gyumriearthquake and, as Armenians, wefeel compelled to help our friendsin their great time of need, as theydid for us,” agbu President BergeSetrakian said.connect:agbu.org/italianearthquakehighlighted the dangers of TB inan article he wrote last Decemberwhen he profiled a 34-year-old manliving in Yerevan, who was diagnosedwith extensively drug resistantTB. The Armenian Reporter’sMaria Titizian followed up witha major story on prevention andtreatment efforts in Armenia.While TB is major health issuein Armenia, there are TB centersand hospitals around the countryto care for the afflicted. The DilijanChildren’s TB sanatorium isthe only major sanatorium forthe children of Armenia who haveTB-infected family members andprovides medical care and roomand board. amf has participatedin improving the sanatorium overthe past decade. Most recently theyrenovated the building, which cannow accommodate 200 children,twice its previous capacity.Greg Toufayan, a board memberof amf, first visited the DilijanSanatorium 12 years ago witha friend who had done work there.“Since her efforts drew me there, Ihave had a strong interest,” said Mr.Toufayan. “I would say this was aleading factor in my initial interestin amf and becoming a boardmember. Knowing the work theywere doing there and in similarplaces in Armenia I was drawn todo something to help.”The Republican TB Hospital inAbovian is the main TB hospitalin Armenia and the first hospitalwhere amf focused its effortsin Armenia. In 2000 the surgerydepartment’s operating room wasfully renovated by amf. amf alsorenovated the newly acquired TBwing at the Main Hospital at thethe Vanadzor TB Hospital. Manyother hospitals and centers inArmenia and Karabakh have receivedaid from amf, including theGoris TB Hospital, the Kapan TBCenter, the Gyumri TB Hospital,the Mikaelian Hospital in Kanaker,and the Jambarag Hospital. Likewisethe hospital in Karakert villagereceived aid in a joint projectwith the Children of ArmeniaFund. In Karabakh, help went tothe TB Center in Stepanakert, theShushi Hospital, and Vank Villagein Vank.From amf’s first project in Lebanon,to its ongoing projects in TBcenters and hospitals in Armeniaand Karabakh, amf has providedsignificant aid and relief in its relativelyshort history. The receptionon May 15 will familiarize thosewho are unaware of amf’s accomplishmentsand future goals.“How does one acknowledge andencourage an organization that hasbeen around for over 50 years yetalmost no one in our community isSome of thechildren inDilijan Children’sTB sanatoriumwith AMFchairpersonVahe Balouzianand executivesecretary HerandMarkarian.aware of?” asked Ms. Geudelekian.“Since Armenia’s independence,amf has quietly supported as manyas 10 to 12 different hospitals andsanatoriums who help TB inflictedpatients and their families in Armeniaand Karabakh.”Jirair Tcholakian, photographerand graphic designer was approachedby the Board of Directorsto put together an ad campaign andinvitations for the upcoming event.“I, just like many others, had neverheard of amf and approached itas an opportunity to raise awarenessof the organization,” said Mr.Tcholakian.“The reception will be a very interestingand fulfilling event for amf’ssupporters and their friends tohear about and see actual video ofthe good work that has been doneto improve the living conditions ofour most needy children in Armenia,”said Mr. Toufayan.amf’s Board of Directors includesVahe Balouzian, chairperson, AndrewTorigian, vice chairperson,Herand Markarian, Ph.D., executivesecretary, Mesrob Odian,Ph.D., treasurer, Ms. Geudelekian,George Dermksian, MD, KhorenNalbandian, R.Ph., Puzant Torigian,D.Sc., and Mr. Toufayan. connect:www.armenianmedicalfund.org.Northern CaliforniaAPRIL 25 - CACC ANNUALBANQUET. Location: CalvaryArmenian CongregationalChurch, 725 Brotherhood Way,San Francisco, CA. 7:00 PMAdmission: $75. For more informationcontact CACC, 415-586-2000; cacc@cacc-sf.org.MAY 11 - PETER BALAKIANBAY AREA BOOK TOUR. Location:Stanford University, JordanHall, bldg 420, room 041,Palo Alto, CA. 7:00 PM Admission:free. For more informationcontact Stanford Univ. ComparativeLit Dept and StanfordASA, 650-926-4444; anahid1@sonic .net.MAY 12 - PETER BALAKIANBAY AREA BOOK TOUR CON-TINUED. Location: Lick-.WilmerdingHigh School, 755 OceanAvenue, San Francisco, CA.7:00 PM Admission: free andopen to the. For more informationcontact FACING HISTORYAND OURSELVES, 510- 786-2500 x227; facinghistory.org/allstate.MAY 13 - PETER BALAKIANBOOK TOUR CONTINUED.Location: Book Passage Bookstorein the San Francisco FerryBuilding, 1 Ferry Building#42, San Francisco, CA. 6:00PM Admission: free. For moreinformation contact BOOKPASSAGE BOOKSTORE, 415-835- 1020; Bookpassage.com.MAY 31 - YEREVAN DANCEGROUP ANNIVERSARYSHOW. Location: CubberlyCommunity Center Theatre,4000 Middlefield Road, PaloAlto, CA. 6:00pm Admission:TBD. For more informationcontact Homenetmen AniChapter at homenetmenani@gmail.com.JULY 6 - HYE EM YES SUM-MER DAY CAMP. Location: KZVArmenian School, 825 BrotherhoodWay, San Francisco, CA.8:30am-1:00pm Admission:$200.00 for the week. For moreinformation contact Annie Bavoukian,415-586-8686; abavoukian@kzv.org.Central CaliforniaAPRIL 26 - EMPOWERINGFUTURE SHEPHERDS SCHOL-ARSHIP BANQUET. Location:First Armenian PresbyterianChurch, 430 South First Street,Fresno, CA. 1 pm Admission:$15 per person. For more informationcontact ArmenianTheological Students Aid Inc.,559-433-0746; KarlVFresno@aol.com.MAY 3 - CLASSICAL CON-CERT BENEFIT OF ARMENIANCHURCH OF SANTA BAR-BARA. Location: All Saints bythe Sea Church, 83 EucalyptusLane, Santa Barbara, CA. 3pmAdmission: $30 adult. For moreinformation contact ArmenianChurch, 805-965-3088; operaforlife19@yahoo.com.MAY 17 - DISCOVER ARME-NIA: SLIDE SHOW AND LUN-CHEON. Location: St. Paul ArmenianChurch, 3767 N. FirstStreet, Fresno, CA. 1:00 PM Admission:Free / $10 Lunch tickt.Photography exhibit and slideshow presentation by MatthewKaranian and Robert Kurkjian,

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009 13CommunityCalendar of EventsWhat, When, Where?Event Listings with the Armenian Reporterclassifieds@reporter.am, 818-955-8407author-photographers of “TheStone Garden Guide: Armeniaand Karabagh.” For more informationcontact 888-266-7331or www.StoneGardenProductions.comJUNE 7 - CAL POLY SLO M.E. MUSIC/DANCE ENS. Location:Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,Spanos Theatre, San LuisObispo, CA. 7 pm, for moreinformation contact Cal PolySLO at 562-941-0845; bozigian@earthlink.net.Southern CaliforniaAPRIL 26 - COMMEMORA-TION OF THE ARMENIANGENOCIDE, AND FILM ENTI-TLED “THE RIVER RAN RED”.Location: St. Patrick’s EpiscopalChurch, One Church Road,Thousand Oaks, CA. 12:15pmAdmission: Free. For more informationcontact ArmenianApostolic Church of VenturaCounty, 818-645-5662; fr.hovel@yahoo.com.MAY 1 - 8TH ANNUAL GLEN-DALE “ARARAT” TENNISTOURNAMENT. Location: GloriettaPark, 1733 Glorietta Ave,Glendale, CA. See Applicationfor Admission. For more informationcontact HomenetmenGlendale “Ararat” Chapter, 323-256-0651; athletics@ararat.org.MAY 3 - ARMENIAN INTER-NATIONAL MEDICAL FUNDGALA DINNER. Location: TheGlendale Hilton, 100 W. GlenoaksBlvd, Glendale, CA. 5:30 PMAdmission: $100.00. For moreinformation contact ArmenianInternational Medical Fund,818-257-8998; AIM_Fund@yahoo.com.MAY 17 - DAVIDIAN-MARI-AMIAN 2ND ANNUAL TELE-THON. Location: DMEF, 658W Hawthorne St Unit B, Glendale,CA. 6:00 pm to MidnightAdmission: Donation. For moreinformation contact MarietteKeshishian, 909-373-7876;m.keshishian@actiumconsulting.com.MAY 18 - ARMENIA ANDKARABAKH ILLUSTRATEDTRAVELOGUE AND AUTHOR-TALK WITH AUTHOR-PHO-TOGRAPHERS MATTHEWKARANIAN AND ROBERTKURKJIAN. Location: DistantLands Travel Bookstore, 56 S.Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA.7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. Free Admission.For more informationcontact Distant Lands, 626-449-3220; www.distantlands.comMAY 23 - AN EVENIG AT WALTDISNEY CONCERT HALL.Location: PROKOFIEV ANDSHOSTAKOVICH, 111 SOUTHGRAND AVENUE, LOS ANGE-LES, Los Angeles, CA. 7:00 P.M.Admission: $ 58.00. For moreinformation contact ArmenianProfessional Society, 818-685-9946; apsla@apsla.org.MAY 24 - ARMENIAN INDE-PENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL.Location: Little Armenia, HollywoodBlvd. and Alexandria,Hollywood, CA. 11am Admission:Free. For more informationcontact Armenian CulturalFoundation, 818-243-9264; info@littlearmeniafestival.org.MAY 31 - 32ND ANNIVERSARYCHURCH BANQUET. Location:St. John Garabed ArmenianChurch, 4473 30th Street, SanDiego, CA. 12:30 pm. For moreinformation contact St. JohnGarabed Armenian Church, 619-284-7179; StJohnGarabed@sbcglobal.net.JUNE 6 - ARMENIAN FOODFAIR & FEST. Location: HolyCross Cathedral Grounds, 900W Lincoln Avenue, Montebello,CA. Noon - 10pm Admission:Free Admission. For more informationcontact Holy CrossCathedral, 323-727-1113; info@armenianfoodfair.com.JUNE 7 & 13 - POPULAR AR-MENIAN SINGER HAMLETGEVORKIAN AND HIS BAND– IN CONCERT. Location: GlendaleHigh School. His US tourstarts after this performance.For more information call 818-242-6928; 818-246-0125; 818-246-2070.AUGUST 16 - ANNUALCHURCH PICNIC AND GRAPEBLESSING. Location: MissionBay Park, Mission Blvd., SanDiego, CA. 12:00pm Admission:Free. For more information contactSt John Garabed ArmenianChurch, 619-284-7179; StJohnGarabed@sbcglobal.net.SEPTEMBER 5 - FIFA - AR-MENIAN VS. BOSNIA-HER-ZEGOVINA SOCCER GAMESHOWING. Location: AGBUAlex Manoogian Pasadena Center,2495 E. Mountain St., Pasadena,CA. TBA Admission: Free.For more information contactAGBU Generation Next MentorshipProgram, (626)794-7942;info@agbugennext.org.SEPTEMBER 9 - FIFA ARME-NIA VS. BELGIUM SOCCERGAME SHOWING. Location:AGBU Alex Manoogian PasadenaCenter, 2495 E. Mountain St.,Pasadena, CA. Admission: Free.For more information contactAGBU Generation Next MentorshipProgram, 626-794-7942;info@agbugennext.org.OCTOBER 10 - FIFA - ARME-NIA VS. SPAIN SOCCER GAMESHOWING. Location: AGBUAlex Manoogian Pasadena Center,2495 E. Mountain St., Pasadena,CA. Admission: Free. Formore information contact AGBUGeneration Next MentorshipProgram, 626-794-7942; info@agbugennext.org.OCTOBER 14 - FIFA- AR-MENIA VS TURKEY SOCCERGAME SHOWING. Location:AGBU Alex Manoogian PasadenaCenter, 2495 E. MountainSt., Pasadena, CA. Admission:Free. For more informationcontact AGBU GenerationNext Mentorship Program,626-794-7942; info@agbugennext.org.OCTOBER 17 - ANNUAL BA-ZAAR- ARMENIAN CULTURALFESTIVAL. Location: St JohnGarabed Armenian Church,4473 30th Street, San Diego, CA.12:00pm Admission: Free. Formore information contact St.John Garabed Armenian Church,619-284-7179; StJohnGarabed@sbcglobal.net.NEW YORKJULY 1-4-ARMENIAN MEDI-CAL WORLD CONGRESS (AM-WCO9) Hilton, NewYork, inNYC. For more imformationvisit www.aahpo.org/amwc09NEW JERSEYMAY 1 - ARMENIAN AMERI-CAN HEALTH PROFESSION-AL ASSOCIATION (AAHPO) issponsoring an educational dinnerfor all health professionalsat Rosa’s, 125 Engle St. Englewood,NJ (201-541-0020) at7:30 PM. Speakers are HaroutMekhjian Jr. MD on “AnesthesiaUpdate”; Lawrence NajarianMD, president of AAHPO on“The Armenian Medical WorldCongress (AMWC 09) July 1-4,2009 in NYC”, hosted by AAH-PO; and Chris Irizary, President& CEO of North Hudson CommunityAction Corporation on“Primary Medical Adult & PediatricCare for Uninsured Armenians”.Donation $35. Reservationsare required. For moreinfo call Dr. Armand Asarian at917-748-4923, Dr. Garbis Baydarat 201-262-3018, Dr. KnarigSubscription CouponKhatchadurian at 201-444-0390, or Dr. Arthur Kubikian at718-786-3842. Come and enjoygood food, camaraderie, socializingand networking with yourcolleagues.the armenianreporterannual ratesU.S.A.: First Class Mail, $125; Periodicals Mail, $75Canada: $125 (u.s.); Overseas: $250 (u.s.)namestreetcity/state/zipClassifieds Pasadena - For Rent, backhouse, great location, safe. 1 bdr,1 bth, living room, kitchen, Jacuzzi.Prefers non-smoker. Nopets. 1150/month. 626-376-3731 Seeking Armenian femaleroommate to share apt. in Burbank.Non-smoker.Karine 818-738-8843 Experienced Income Taxpreparer, licensed, bonded, registeredw/CTFC, all source ofincome. An affordable price dependson complexity of the return.Call Mile at 818-304-4617.Check Enclosed OR Charge My:Mastercard Visa Amex DiscoverExp.mail coupon to: armenian reporterp.o. box 129, paramus, nj 07652orfax coupon to (201) 226-1660(credit card orders only)

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009 15ArmeniaWall Street Journal talks to President Sargsian“I was not supposedto travel to Turkeyas a simple tourist oras a football fan.”The Wall Street Journal’s MarcChampion sat down with the Presidentof Armenia, Serge Sargsian,April 20, 2009, to talk about relationswith Turkey and Azerbaijan, the possibilitythat the U.S. will recognize theArmenian Genocide, and more. Belowis an edited transcript.The Wall Street Journal: Openingup Armenia’s border with Turkeymatters for Armenia, but whydoes it also matter for the region,for the U.S. or Russia?Mr. Sargsian: I think the reasonis straightforward, the fewer obstaclesand artificial barriers the betterfor everyone. I believe it is alsoa very natural desire to see the lastclosed border of Europe opened.And thirdly, I believe for the U.S.and Russia and everybody else it’sextremely important to see stabilityand peace in this region, andwithout this border being opened itis impossible to see a solid systemof security in this region.WSJ: Prime Minister Erdoganof Turkey said recently there won’tbe a deal on border opening, therewon’t be a final deal signed untilthere is a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakhconflict. What isyour response to that? Also, do youstill think border can open by October,as you have said before?Mr. Sargsian: Of course thatstatement of Prime Minister Erdoganwas not in the frameworkof our agreements. As you mayknow, I invited [Turkey’s] PresidentGül to Yerevan [to a WorldCup qualifier soccer match] andafter that our efforts intensifiedand our negotiations lastedfor a few months. Both we andthe Turkish side in the negotiationssupported the idea that weare negotiating without any preconditions.You know that therehas been a genocide and there isno single Armenian in the worldwould doubt that there was a genocide.But by inviting President Gülto Armenia, we reiterated our positionthat non-recognition by theTurkish side of the genocide is notan insurmountable obstacle torestoration of relations betweenour countries.… Obviously settingpreconditions at a point where theperimeters are already set and weare very close to a breakthrough isabsolutely not acceptable for us.Of course, if the border is open oris on the eve of opening, I will visitTurkey to attend the return match.Now I want to stress that the ball ison the Turkish side and since themedia labeled this developmentas football diplomacy…like in anyfootball game, this diplomacy hasa time frame attached to it. Whichmeans that the ball cannot be inthe Turkish side all the time. …WSJ: Do you mean you can onlyvisit Turkey if the border has beenreopened, or is about to be?Mr. Sargsian: You understoodme exactly right.WSJ: But if there is no sign ofthe border opening you will notvisit?Mr. Sargsian: What is the senseof that? We invited President Gülto Armenia to use that opportunityto intensify our dialogue, to launcha conversation. The idea of me returningto visit for the return gamewas to further and achieve more inthat dialogue, I was not supposedto travel to Turkey as a simple touristor as a football fan.WSJ: On April 24, PresidentBarack Obama is due to make astatement on Armenian memorialday. The focus is on whether heuses the term genocide or doesn’t.Right or wrong, it seems clear thatif the U.S. recognizes the Genocidethat will make the Turks less willingto engage with Armenia. Whichis more important to you? The U.S.genocide recognition now, or successin these reopening talks withTurkey?Mr. Sargsian: I think alreadynow the motivation of Turkey hasdecreased, because as you saidPrime Minister Erdogan is now offeringpreconditions. I believe it isnot us Armenians who push theU.S. to recognize the Genocide. TheU.S. had its diplomats, missionariesand businesses in the OttomanEmpire, as well as its insurancecompanies, on the ground at thetime of the Genocide. The amountof evidence, the amount of factualmaterials the U.S. possesses on thematter of genocide is excessive andis as convincing today as it wasyears ago. Therefore the momentthe U.S. finds it necessary to recognizethe genocide they will do it.… Idon’t believe we are pushing peopleinto a dilemma between nationalinterest and moral standing.WSJ: So your preference, thepreference of the Armenian government,would be for Mr. Obamato recognize the Armenian Genocide,even if that puts the last nailin the coffin of any deal with Turkeyto open the border any timesoon?“Once again, it is notwe who are pushingthe U.S. to recognizethe Genocide.”Mr. Sargsian: I would not like tosee this process in a coffin. I wouldlike us to be more open and broadmindedwhen watching this issue.That is why we want this issue ofgenocide not to be an obstacle toour relations with Turkey. After all,by recognizing the Genocide neitherwe nor other countries thatrecognize it want to harm Turkey.I think this matter is very straightforward,restoration of justice andprevention of genocide in the future.Because if we try to tie relationsbetween Armenia and Turkeyto recognition of the Genocide byone country or another … Armenian-Turkishrelations will alwaysbe the footballs of other countries.If some countries decide to createdifficulties in those relations, theywould just announce a recognitionof genocide and so would compromiserelations between Armeniaand Turkey. Once again, it is notwe who are pushing the U.S. to recognizethe Genocide.WSJ: Azerbaijan has been veryupset by the prospect of the borderopening, that seems to have beena reason why Mr. Erdogan madethe border opening conditionalon progress in Nagorno-Karabakh.The Azeris say that if you open theborder with Armenia it will removeany pressure on Armenia to compromiseover Nagorno-Karabakh.Are they right?Mr. Sargsian: When we werestarting this negotiating process, Iam confident that in Turkey theyalso calculated the possible reactionof Azerbaijan. I do not believethat anyone in Turkey expectedanyone in Azerbaijan to applaudthis process or to be excited aboutit. In other words the reaction ofAzerbaijan as the motive for Turkeystepping back is not understandablefor me. Especially asAzerbaijan’s expectations concerningthese negotiations are exaggerated.By opening Armenia’s borderor normalizing relations with Turkey,Armenia’s approach to Nagorno-Karabakhwill not undergoany changes or amendments. Theproblem of Nagorno-Karabakh canbe solved only on the basis of mutualcompromises. This can neverbe a one-way, give-me type of approachthat resolves this problemof Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite theabsence of relations with Turkeyand despite the economic situationin Armenia, there can be no Armenianleader who signs a paper orwho has a small idea in his mindthat Nagorno-Karabakh can begiven to Azerbaijan for any motivationor reason.… It has been oneyear now since I have been dealingwith the Nagorno-Karabakh issueas president of the country, and Ihave had three meetings with thepresident of Azerbaijan since. I believethis has been sufficient timeto get understood by each other, weare aware of each other’s positions,and now is the time for a very seriousexchange of possible developmentsand ways to advance to aresolution.I am happy to see that the Azerisseem right now to understandthat this issue should be resolvedby peaceful means and on the basisof all principles of internationallaw. In these last three or four daysI have had some pleasant momentswatching my Azeri colleague visitingRussia. Both in his meetingswith our Russian counterpart andin talking to Russian media hespoke about principles of internationallaw, because until now theyusually spoke about only one ofthose principles which is territorialintegrity. The core issue of theNagorno-Karabakh conflict is theright to self-determination of thepeople of Nagorno-Karabakh. Oncethis problem is solved all the otherswill easily find their solution.When Azeris speak about theoccupation of some of their territories,they somewhat change ortrick around the reality. They forgetthat those are the territories fromwhich on a daily basis thousandsof shells were fired at the peopleof Nagorno-Karabakh. They forgetthat it was their side that by use offorce imposed a war on the peopleof Nagorno-Karabakh and poseda serious threat and challenge tothe existence of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,which brought usto the outcome we are at today inthe form of the self-defense of thepeople of Nagorno-Karabakh. Thefact that 15 years have elapsed sincethen doesn’t change the cause andconsequence of this reality.WSJ: Does that mean the Chechenshave a right to self-determination?Also you were military commanderin Nagorno-Karabakh, areyou the right guy to negotiate adeal?Mr. Sargsian: I have been thehead of the committee for self defenseof Nagorno-Karabakh. I wasone of those who protected andfought for the rights of these people.And I think that, yes, I am oneof those who has the right to conductnegotiations on this subject.As to the first part of your question,yes we believe that all peoplehave the right to self determination.We are not talking about all peoplewho compactly populate a piece ofterritory. Azeris in their argumenthave gone so far as to say, well thenmaybe the Armenians also shouldhave a right to self determinationin Glendale in the United States,where they compactly live in onetown. But we are talking about …a group of people who have beencompactly living for thousandsof years in that particular pieceof land. Nagorno-Karabakh hasnever been part of Azerbaijan. Itwas merged with Azerbaijan by adecision of the Communist Partyof the Soviet Union. And Nagorno-Karabakh seceded from the SovietUnion exactly the way the republicshave done it under the legislation ofthe Soviet Union…. And of course,Chechnya also has a right to selfdetermination,and Chechens haveentertained that right by a referendumthey recently conducted.[Chechnya has held referendaon a new constitution within theRussian federation, following twodevastating wars. Some observerschallenged the Russian turnout figuresas fraudulent.]WSJ: Why were the bordersdrawn this way [to carve out autonomousregions populated byneighboring ethic groups]?Mr. Sargsian: This was formulatedas an expression of goodwillto promote the advancementof communist ideas towards theMuslim east. And this was alsodone on a wider scale across theSoviet Union to complicate relationshipsand to … make surethat no Soviet republic ever hadit in its mind to use the right tosecession from the Union of SovietSocialist Republics that wasprovided for in the constitution.Just imagine if Armenia had triedto secede from the Soviet Union,when there were two Armenianautonomous arrangements withinAzerbaijan. These would stay withAzerbaijan forever. If Azerbaijanwere to decide to secede from theSoviet Union, both Nakhichevanand Karabakh would be kept withinthe Soviet Union.WSJ: In early May you willbe in Prague for the EuropeanUnion’s Eastern Partnershiptalks, and President Aliyev willbe there too. Is that the occasionto, as you said earlier, start makingsome real progress on Nagorno-Karabakh?Mr. Sargsian: Why not? TheCo-chairs [of the so-called Minskgroup overseeing talks – France,Russia and the U.S.] have askedme about that opportunity and Ihave said I don’t mind any meetingin any location… We will be guidedby the principles of the Minskgroup, which also include the ideaof territorial integrity and self-determination.And if the Presidentof Azerbaijan is ready to continuenegotiations on the basis of theseprinciples, and to achieve progresson that, we are ready.WSJ: The sub-commissions[to be set up under the proposedTurkey-Armenia agreement] as Iunderstand it will include one onhistory, what would its goal be?Mr. Sargsian: You are askingwhat questions can be addressedby that historical questions. Ican give you one example. Thehistoric Armenian monumentsin the Ottoman Empire and today.There are thousands of suchmonuments. I am sure that Turkeywould have many questionsto raise with us.WSJ: Is the Genocide an acceptableissue to discuss?Mr. Sargsian: We cannot prohibitTurkey from raising any issuein any of the sub-commissions, justas they cannot limit us in raisingany issue. One thing is for sure– the fact that a genocide took placeraises no doubts in us.WSJ: Azerbaijan has come intoa lot of money from oil revenuesrecently, and they spent a lot ondefense, on military equipment. Isthat a concern to you? Do you seein that a potential threat of furtherwar in Nagorno-Karabakh?Mr. Sargsian: Of course it concernsus.… At the same time I amconfident the resources we haveallocated to the Armenian armedforces are serious and sufficient.And our armed forces are very wellprepared to fight defensive battles.WSJ: Are you confident that ifyou needed it, the Collective SecurityTreaty Organization [A NATOlook-alike comprising Armenia,Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Russia and Tajikistan] would interveneon your behalf?“Post-electiondevelopmentsin Armenia haverestrained me inmany fields.... Ifdevelopments did notgo in that directionwe could make muchbetter decisions forArmenia.”Mr. Sargsian: The collective defenseprinciple of an attack againstone is an attack against all is a cornerstone of the CSTO.… And youknow that particular provision ofthe CSTO guided us recently whenwe established collective forces forreaction in case of armed attacks,which of course brought a verypainful reaction from Azerbaijan.And I think it also motivated Azerbaijanto get closer to Russia. And Iam happy to see that in the SouthCaucasus has emerged that believesRussia is a strategic partner.WSJ: Has Russia been supportiveof your efforts to reopen withTurkey?Mr. Sargsian: At least at allthe meetings at different levels wehave heard from Russia that theyare in favor of reopening with Turkey.Meanwhile, the biggest efforthas been put in and continues to bein by the United States of America,for which I am very thankful to theadministration of the U.S.A.WSJ: Your election last year hada problematic response in the street[10 people were killed in a policecrackdown on demonstrators] andthen internationally. Does that makeit harder for you to reach agreementssuch as this one with Turkey?Mr. Sargsian: We are ready forrelations without preconditionsdespite all the obstacles we mightface, despite all possible pressureswe might feel. But of course postelectiondevelopments in Armeniahave restrained me in many fields.And of course, if developments didnot go in that direction we couldmake much better decisions for Armenia.But I am confident we areovercoming these post-electoraldevelopments.WSJ: The Council of Europe justput off a decision on whether tosuspend Armenia’s membershipbecause of these events. Is thereanything you would say to theCouncil of Europe about the detentions?[Armenian opposition partiessay 56 people still being heldare political prisoners.]Mr. Sargsian: They closely monitorthe situation and they have fullinformation on it. I think developmentsin Armenia now are fully inline with Council of Europe statementsafter the elections. With allEuropean structures, not only theCouncil of Europe, we cooperatebecause of our belief in the usefulnessof that cooperation. And it isour aim to deepen these cooperations.We wish to live according tocivilized rules.f

16 The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009ArmeniaFrom Armenia, in briefThe Adana Massacres,100 years onThe Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute organized an internationalconference to commemorate thecentennial of the Armenian massacresin the Adana district of theOttoman Empire, Arminfo reported.The two day conference, April20-21 brought together historiansfrom Armenia, Italy, Hungary, Austria,France, the United States andSweden.Hayk Demoyan, director of theArmenian Genocide Museum-Institutesaid that the Adana massacresof April 1909 became a symbolicprelude for the state orchestratedand executed policy of genocideagainst the Armenian populationof the Ottoman Empire. He wenton to say that the true perpetratorsand organizers of the Armeniansmassacre in Adana still remain unpunished.Also taking part in the conferencewere Diaspora Minister HranushHakobyan, Minister ofScience and Education SpartakSeyranian and other high rankingofficials.The official address of the Catholicosof All Armenians His HolinessKarekin II on the occasion of thecentennial of the Adana massacrewas read out at the conference.In 1908, the Young Turkishrevolution brought some hope forchange for the Empire’s Christianminorities. However, the initial euphoriaand hopes for equal rightsfor Muslims and Christians weredashed in with the brutal slaughterof the Armenian population inCilicia and its center Adana. Thismassacre revived the fears of Christianminorities, particularly of Armenianstowards the traditionalOttoman policy against them.Ethnic cleansing and large-scalemassacres were carried out evenearlier; during the Hamidian massacresin 1894-1896 when 300,000Armenians were annihilated anddeported.Diasporan Armenianarchitects take part inconference organizedby Diaspora MinistryPanelists at the conference to commemorate the centennial of the Armenianmassacres in Adana. Photo: Melik Baghdasaryan/Photolure.Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry organizedthe first-ever pan-Armenianconference on Armenian architecturein the 21st Century, which tookplace from April 21-24 in Yerevan.According to the ministry’s pressoffice, the objective of the conferencewas to support the developmentof Armenia-Diaspora cooperation;to bring together Armenianarchitectural potential toward theresolution of Armenian architecturalissues; to create the necessaryconditions for the preservation ofArmenian architectural heritage aswell as the establishment of a pan-Armenian association of architects.More than 100 Armenian architectsfrom around the world tookpart in the conference as well as studentsfrom Yerevan State Universityof Architecture and Engineering.During the opening ceremonies,Armenianarchitects fromaround the world.Photo: MkhitarKhachatryan/Photolure.Armenia’s Prime Minister TigranSarkisian told conference participantsthat Armenia will be participatingin Expo-2010 in Shanghaiand the Image of Armenia will becreated by the efforts of Armenianarchitects from all over theworld. According to Arminfo, theprime minister said, “I would liketo draw your attention to the factthat the next World Exhibitionwill be held in Shanghai in 2010, inwhich Armenia will also take part.What kind of brand will we showthe whole world? This will be conditionedby your imaginations andsuggestions which we are waitingfor. We have already received materials,which have interested us includingthe creation of a City of Armenians.And we shall be gratefulif these materials will also becomea topic for you to discuss.”President Serge Sargsian, Catholicosof All Armenians KarekinII and President of Nagorno-KarabakhBako Sahakyan sent messagesto conference participants.Within the framework of the conference,a Diaspora Park will beestablished on the grounds of theGenocide Memorial Museum-Institute.On April 24, the participants ofthe conference took part in the processionto the Genocide memorialafter which they left for Gyumri tomeet with the architects of Armenia’ssecond largest city.OSCE Minsk Group inthe regionOn April 21, OSCE Minsk Groupco-chairs were in Yerevan and metwith the president and foreign affairsminister of the country. YuriThe Singing Men of Oklahoma,otherwise known as the SingingChurchmen of Oklahoma were inArmenia on the invitation of theArmenian Evangelical Church toperform throughout the countryand at the Genocide Memorial onApril 24. Leading the group was Dr.Bill Green of the Oklahoma BaptistChurch. The group of almostabout 270 spiritual troubadourssang in English and Armenian.However, their trip was marredby controversy as certain statementswere placed on their website,which said that Armenianswere antisemitic and describedthe Armenian Church as oppressive.The Armenian Church issuedthe following statement: “The ArmenianChurch appreciates andvalues all organizations, representativesof religious organizations,and all people of goodwill who callfor the universal recognition andcondemnation of the ArmenianGenocide. However, we criticizeefforts made by any organizationor religious community to characterizeArmenia as anti-Semiticand intolerant, and assess suchaccusations as being false and irresponsible.“We also condemn the actions ofthe leaders of the local ArmenianEvangelical Church for taking advantageof the solemnity of theApril 24 commemoration of theArmenian Genocide, by invitinga choir group who has obviouslylittle or no accurate knowledgeabout life in Armenia, to give aseries of concerts in Armenia thisMerzlyakov (Russia), MatthewBryza (USA), Bernard Fassier(France) and personal representativeof the OSCE chairperson-in-officeAndrzej Kasprzyk discussedthe current round of the Nagorno-Karabakh talks and the possibilityof bringing the parties to the conflictcloser within the framework ofContinued on page 17 mPastor Garik Khachatryan of the Armenian Evangelical Baptist Church ofArmenia at a press conference with reporters in Yerevan. Pastor Khachatryan isshowing the apology issued by Dr. Bill Green of the Oklahoma Baptist Churchfor derogatory comments placed on their website about Armenia and theArmenian Church. Photo: Tigran Tadevosyan/Photolure.The Singing Men of Oklahomacause controversy in ArmeniaOSCE MinskGroup co-chairsmeeting withPresidentSerge Sargsian.Photo: MelikBaghdasaryan/Photolure.week, including one on April 24at the Memorial to the ArmenianGenocide in Yerevan. Further, theleaders of the local ArmenianEvangelical community shouldhave quickly refuted and publiclydisavowed the comments madeby members of the Singing Menof Oklahoma, which they knew tobe inaccurate. The fact that theydid not should guide our faithfulin their evaluation and assessmentof the Armenian Evangelicalleaders in Armenia.”The organization for theirpart stated: “The Singing Men ofOklahoma have sung around theworld as ambassadors of goodwilland faith. As Christian peopleand Americans, the choir worksto build bridges for strengtheningrelationships among peopleacross the world. They go to Armeniawith great respect for theChristian heritage of the Armenianpeople.“We have recently become awareof statements made and put intoprint regarding our upcomingtrip to Armenia. These statementswere not posted on our officialWeb site and were writtenby someone who is not an officialrepresentative of the choir anddoes not speak for them. We regretthat these statements do notaccurately communicate the purposeof our trip to Armenia andhave caused offense and misunderstandings.It is our desire tobuild bridges of unity and goodwillthrough our participation inApril events commemorating theArmenian Genocide.” f

The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009 17ArmeniaMarket updateby the CascadeInvestments GroupCurrency MarketHighlightsUSD/AMD. A shift towards a floatingexchange rate put the dramwithin the range of AMD 360- 375for 1 dollar throughout the wholemonth. The pros and cons of thisshift have been still debated, howeverone thing is clear; the newlyestablished rate has put importconditions under the ringer andresulted in hoisting prices forconsumers’ goods. Meanwhile, inFebruary, the volume of the dramin circulation shrunk by 17% comparedwith January, 2009. Thismay result in abrupt changes of therate in case the increased demandfor the dram. So, we are of the viewthat the USD/AMD pair rate will bevolatile and there is some likelihoodfor the dram to appreciate, atleast in the short run.EUR/USD. Till the middle ofMarch the EUR significantlygained against its main counterpart,after the Federal Reserveannounced a massive easing ofthe US monetary policy. Withthis field of view, investors wereleft fearing that the dollar wouldnot be able to maintain its statusof the safe haven and the world’sreserve currency. These factorsbrought strong improvement tothe EUR’s overall outlook resultingin significant appreciation of thesingle currency. However, afterthe drop in annual retail spendingin Germany by 5.3%, manufacturingPMI decreased to 33.9 and then Continued from page 16negotiations based on the Madridprinciples.Prior to the official meetings,the American mediator MatthewBryza was engaged in shuttle diplomacyby visiting Baku, Ankara andthen arriving in Yerevan with theother co-chairs. He expressed hopethat “normalization of relationsbetween Ankara and Yerevan willcause good evolution in Armenia’sstance, which will help us succeedin the Karabakh conflict as well.”The co-chairs will travel to Azerbaijanand Nagorno-Karabakh.ARF holds conferenceon Armenia-TurkeyRelations.Believes that Armenia has lostin the negotiation processOn April 22, the Armenian RevolutionaryFederation (ARF) organizeda one-day conference on thecurrent state of Armenian-Turkishrelations. Speaking to participants,the representative of the ARF BureauHrant Markarian stated thatArmenia had lost soccer diplomacyto Turkey. He called on Armenianauthorities to demonstrate adherenceto their principles and not togive in to Turkish pressure.Also taking part in the conferencewas representative of the SupremeCouncil of the ARF, ArmenRustamian; Hagop Tchakryan,a specialist on Turkey and politicalanalyst with the daily Azg who statedthat normalizing relations stemsfrom Turkish interests; Sos Sarkisian,one of Armenia’s greatest actorsand ARF presidential candidate(1991) who warned that Turkeycould never be trusted; member ofthe ARF Bureau Levon Mkrtchian530510490470450430410390370390370350330310290270European Central Bank loweredthe interest rate by further 25 bpsto a new record low 1.25%, the EURstarted giving back its gains andlet the greenback to rally. Nowthe overall outlook for the dollaris bullish, but where the currencywill go from here depends stronglyon the US economic data and itsimpact on the investors’ mood, asFrom Armenia, in briefwho said that no one has as muchexperience and history in dealingwith the Turks than the ARF,therefore if the ARF is concerned, itshould also concern everyone else.BarCamp Yerevan 2009kicks off in YerevanEUR/AMDJ-08 M-08 M-08 A-08 O-08 D-08 J-09 M-09EUR/AMD EUR/AMD Index (Jan'08 -100%)J-08 M-08 M-08 A-08 O-08 D-08 J-09 M-09ArmenRustamian.Photo: HaykBadalyan/Photolure.USD/AMDUSD/AMD USD/AMD Index (Jan'08 -100%)well as further positioning of thedollar’s European counterpart.Key MacroeconomicIndicators%13012512011511010510095908580%14012010080604020GDPGDP of January-February decreasedby 3.7 % comparing withthe same period of 2008. The mainOn April 18-19 BarCamp Yerevan2009 took place in Yerevan gatheringspecialists in information technologiesand the new media sphereincluding Internet users, bloggers,managers, entrepreneurs, designers,educators and representativesof companies who work in Internetand digital technologies and thosejournalists who use these new technologiesin their daily work.Gegham Vardanian, one of theinitiators of this program told Armenpressthat the objective of Bar-Camp Yerevan 2009 was to bringtogether all those people involvedin this sphere to share, communicateand exchange experiencesand to make suggestions. Over250 people from Armenia, Ukraine,Russian, Georgia and the UnitedStates took part.This initiative does not foreseean official agenda but rather theagenda is formed by the participants.BarCamp is usually a “nonconference”in the sphere of informationtechnology, new media andthe Internet. A “non-conference”is the unofficial, informal part ofthe conference supporting opendiscussions and a free exchange ofideas and opinions.BarCamp was first implementedin California in 2005, after whichit spread globally. In the CIS, thefirst BarCamp took place in Kiev,Ukraine in 2007.connect: www.barcamp.am$500,000 ViktorHambardzumyaninternational scienceawardBy a decree of President SergeSargsian an international scienceaward in honor of renowned astrophysicistViktor Hambardzumyanwas established.According to the president’s pressservice, the award will be grantedonce every two years for outstandingscientific work in the sphere ofastrophysics, affiliated physics andmathematics. Citizens of Armeniaand other countries may participatein the competition.The first award will be presentedin 2010.f06.565.554.543.53%F-08 A-08 J-08 S-08 N-08 J-09 M-09the same because of low demand.factors contributing to the downwardtrend were drastic declineof export and import by 45% and21% respectively. The volume ofindustrial output went down by10%, while construction sectorsqueezed by 1.5% only.Inflation OverviewAt an extraordinary session, whichtook place at March 10th, the CBABoard maintained the repo rateunchanged at 7.75%. Relativelyhigh interest rates supported bythe CBA will mitigate acceleratedinflation resulted from the dram’sdrastic depreciation. We believethe further trend of refinancingrate will be highly correlated withthe fluctuations of the exchangerates and corresponding risks.Cascade CommodityIndexIn March the CCI rose by further1.3% to 21009. The upward movementof the index reflects the highrates of inflation. For instance, theprice for oil went up by 2.8% in onemonth period. However, for somecommodities like steel prices remainby Tatul Hakobyan“In an incredible irony of history,Western sovietology, which hadfailed to read the coming Sovietcollapse, was now invited to advisethe new republics, headed by theRussian Federation, on what to donext.”This is one of the passages fromVicken Cheterian’s book, War andPeace in the Caucasus. The talentedreporter and political scientist isa Swiss-Armenian born in Beirutand has been working on this booksince 1992. It was launched in Yerevanon April 22.Speaking to reporters and politicalscientists at the Caucasus Institute,which he himself establishedwhen he lived in Yerevan someyears ago, Mr. Cheterian said, “Iwanted to understand why the Caucasusbecame the most ferociousbattleground after the collapse ofthe Soviet Union.”Since 1992, Mr. Cheterian has onmany occasions visited hot spotsin the South and North Caucasus,where several bloody wars werein progress – Nagorno-Karabakh,Abkhazia, Chechnya. In his words,there isn’t one single explanationfor the flare-up of conflicts in theCaucasus. However, in the case ofthe Karabakh, Abkhaz and Chechanwars, “historical trauma” was veryimportant.For Artsakh Armenians and forArmenians in general, the ArmenianGenocide was the “historicaltrauma.” For the Abkhaz andChechens, it was exile and deportation.The author believes that if the SovietUnion had collapsed over thecourse of 20 years instead of four,Cascade Business Sentiment IndexCascade BusinessSentiment IndexIn March the CBCI rose from 3.29to 5.06. Despite the upward trend,the index still remains low reflectingpessimism towards the businessenvironment, as the recentdepreciation of the AMD reinforceda weakening outlook of the overalleconomy.Corporate SecuritiesIn March the volume of traded corporatebonds on the NASDAQ OMXdecreased by 35% to approximatelyAMD 1.5 billion. The average yieldincreased from 11.6% to 12.7%, asthe prices of bonds had downwardtrend during the month. In generalinvestors were fearful of furtherdram appreciation and tendedto sell out their bonds forcing theprices to drop.This month, the most tradedbonds were those issued by Ardshininvestbankand HSBC Bank Armeniawith corresponding volumes40% and 22% (from the total fixedincome trading).fVicken Cheterian’s War and Peace inthe Caucasus presented in YerevanThe cover of Cheterian’s book.then the conflicts in the Caucasuswouldn’t have been what theywere.Putting aside easy and trivialexplanations, Mr. Cheterian hastried to give explanations in hisbook as to why Georgia with apopulation of 5 million lost thewar to the Abkhaz’s and SouthOssetians who were less than100,000 strong. Why did Azerbaijanwith a population of 7 millionlose to the Armenians who wereeconomically and militarily weakerthan them? Or why did onlyfive conflicts flare up – Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Abkhazia,North Ossetia-Ingueshetiaand Chechnia – out of a dozenpossible ones?Most of those present at thebook presentation were specialistsin the field and very well informedabout the Caucasus region and itsconflicts. Therefore besides askingquestions, which they did, mostalso expressed their opinions. f

18 The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009EditorialCommentarythe armenianreporterA shared commitment, deep and unshakableAs we write these lines on April 24, practically the whole population of Armenia is once againheading for the monument at Tzitzernakaberd to remember the people and patrimony destroyedand lost in the Armenian Genocide 94 years ago. Throughout the world, Armenians are holdingvigils and protests, concerts and book readings, and saying prayers at home or in church.It has been an extraordinary April.On the sixth, addressing Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, President Barack Obama recalledthe treatment of Native Americans and Blacks by the United States and urged Turkeyto address the “terrible events of 1915” in a way that is “honest, open, and constructive.”It was a historic moment: the president of the United States, right there in Turkey’s parliament,was giving a powerful message to the people of Turkey, inviting them to come to termswith the terrible legacy of the annihilation of the Armenian people.The president demonstrated leadership in making that statement. But he too should haveaddressed the terrible events of 1915 in a way that was “honest, open, and constructive.”Evil’s greatest co-conspiratorHe knows that. Speaking on April 23 at the Holocaust Days of Remembrance ceremony, heasked, “How do we ensure that ‘never again’ isn’t an empty slogan, or merely an aspiration,but also a call to action? I believe we start by doing what we are doing today – by bearing witness,by fighting the silence that is evil’s greatest co-conspirator.”Back in Istanbul, the president also urged Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia.That means, above all, establishing diplomatic relations and opening the border crossings. Healso invited Turkey to play a “constructive role” in the Karabakh peace process.The president went on to make an argument that did not demonstrate the level of leadershipwe have come to expect from him. He noted that Turkey and Armenia were talking toeach other about normalization of relations. The talks could bear fruit very soon, he said, andhe did not want to torpedo them by using the word genocide.In other words, he acquiesced in “the silence that is evil’s greatest co-conspirator.”It was, of course, true, that the recognition of the Genocide by President Obama wouldhave angered those in Turkey who are opponents of normalizing relations with Armenia.And it is possible that the normalization process could have been delayed as a consequence.Unsound linkagesIt is unsound policy, however, to link something nonnegotiable – in this instance, the recognitionof historical truth – with something negotiable, like opening a border or exchangingambassadors. Negotiations can be dragged out. A border ultimately opened can be closedagain; ambassadors can be recalled. And thus, under this unsound policy, silence about theGenocide can be enforced indefinitely.The unsoundness of the president’s approach was immediately apparent. Abdullah Gül, theStatement of PresidentBarack Obama on ArmenianRemembrance DayThe White House released the followingstatement on April 24.Ninety four years ago, one of the greatatrocities of the 20th century began. Eachyear, we pause to remember the 1.5 millionArmenians who were subsequently massacredor marched to their death in the final days ofthe Ottoman Empire. The Meds Yeghern mustlive on in our memories, just as it lives on inthe hearts of the Armenian people.History, unresolved, can be a heavy weight.Just as the terrible events of 1915 remind usof the dark prospect of man’s inhumanity toman, reckoning with the past holds out thepowerful promise of reconciliation. I haveconsistently stated my own view of whatoccurred in 1915, and my view of that historyhas not changed. My interest remainsthe achievement of a full, frank and just acknowledgmentof the facts.The best way to advance that goal rightnow is for the Armenian and Turkish peopleto address the facts of the past as a part oftheir efforts to move forward. I strongly supportefforts by the Turkish and Armenianpeople to work through this painful historyin a way that is honest, open, and constructive.To that end, there has been courageousand important dialogue among Armeniansand Turks, and within Turkey itself. I alsostrongly support the efforts by Turkey andArmenia to normalize their bilateral relations.Under Swiss auspices, the two governmentshave agreed on a framework and roadmap fornormalization. I commend this progress, andurge them to fulfill its promise.Together, Armenia and Turkey can forge arelationship that is peaceful, productive andprosperous. And together, the Armenian andTurkish people will be stronger as they acknowledgetheir common history and recognizetheir common humanity.Nothing can bring back those who were lostin the Meds Yeghern. But the contributionsthat Armenians have made over the last ninety-fouryears stand as a testament to the talent,dynamism and resilience of the Armenianpeople, and as the ultimate rebuke to thosewho tried to destroy them. The United Statesof America is a far richer country because ofthe many Americans of Armenian descentwho have contributed to our society, many ofwhom immigrated to this country in the aftermathof 1915. Today, I stand with them andwith Armenians everywhere with a sense offriendship, solidarity, and deep respect. fpresident of Turkey, did not even pretend to be acting in good faith.In the very press conference where Mr. Obama spoke of Armenia-Turkey talks that could bearfruit very soon, Mr. Gül noted that a breakthrough in Armenian-Turkish talks was not imminent.He proclaimed in particular that “issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan” must first be resolved.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that point on April 19. He said a decisionto open the border with Armenia “will depend on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue being solved.”To reiterate Turkey’s 16-year-old condition for opening the border is to indicate that talksbetween Armenia and Turkey have seen little progress.The joint statement issued by Turkey and Armenia on April 22 (see story on page 1) confirmedthat Turkey continues to hold up normalization of relations. While the tone of thestatement is upbeat, the substance is that normalization has been held up, and what we haveinstead is an “on-going process” requiring a “road map.”Speaking to the Wall Street Journal on April 20, Armenia’s President Serge Sargsian said,“Both we and the Turkish side in the negotiations supported the idea that we are negotiatingwithout any preconditions.”In welcoming the joint statement, the U.S. State Department likewise said, “Normalizationshould take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.”Turkey’s bad faithThe Turkish side is showing its bad faith by insisting on its long held preconditions, however.The statements of Mr. Gül and Mr. Erdogan aside, the simple fact remains that if Turkeyjoined Armenia in having no preconditions, it would have opened the border already.As we look ahead to the coming months, two points are worth emphasizing:First, the United States government must act on its belief that “normalization should takeplace without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.” While Armenia pursuesrecognition of the Armenian Genocide, it sets no preconditions for normal relations. AsTurkey has refused U.S. appeals to normalize relations with Armenia since independence, a“reasonable” timeframe should be measured in months and not additional years.President Sargsian announced a deadline this week: October 14. That’s the date of the Armenia-Turkeysoccer match in Kayseri. He said he would not go unless the border was open.That’s more than long enough.Second, Mr. Obama and Armenians throughout the world share the view that we mustbear witness and fight “the silence that is evil’s greatest co-conspirator.” The Turkishgovernment and its friends are promoting the view that recognition of the Genocide is anArmenian-diaspora priority not shared by the people of Armenia. That is simply not true.As we witness the hundreds of thousands of Armenians, young and old, traveling from nearand far, line up to pay their respects at Tzitzernakaberd today, and as we listen to them speak out,we know that our shared commitment to recognition and justice is profound and unshakable. fA second lost opportunityThe following statement was issued on April 24by Ross Vartian, executive director of the U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC).President Obama’s April 24 statement ishis second lost opportunity to affirm theArmenian Genocide.On the first occasion, his visit to the Republicof Turkey, the President stated thathis view on the Armenian Genocide waswell known and remained unchanged, yethe chose not to utter the word “genocide”.The President then urged the Turkish governmentand people to face this history, justas America had done with African-Americansand Native Americans.On the second occasion, the solemnremembrance day of April 24, PresidentObama failed to affirm his record as Senatorand his repeated pledges as candidate forthe presidency to characterize this crimeagainst humanity by its proper name, theArmenian Genocide.Instead, the President committed his administrationto fully support the normalizationof relations between Armenia and Turkey“without preconditions and within a reasonabletimeframe”. While a laudable objective,normal relations between these nations andan open Armenian-Turkish border are notsubstitutes for the United States affirmingits own voluminous history on the ArmenianGenocide and its directly linked global responsibilityto help end the scourge of genocide.President Obama knows very well andhas eloquently acknowledged that as longas genocide denial is tolerated that the actof genocide itself continues, as it does forArmenians on this day of commemorationand remembrance, April 24, 2009. fTell us what you think.Write to letters@reporter.amVisit us at reporter.amArmenian Reporter (ISSN 0004-2358), an independent newspaper,is published weekly by Armenian Reporter llc.Copyright © 2009 by ArmenianReporter llc. All Rights ReservedGerard L. Cafesjian, President and ceoPeriodicals postage paid at Paramus, N.J., andadditional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box129, Paramus, NJ 07652-0129.The views expressed, except in the editorial, arenot necessarily those of the publishers.Editor Vincent LimaAssociate editor Maria TitizianWashington editor Emil SanamyanEastern U.S. editor Lou Ann MatossianAssistant to the Editor Seda StepanyanCopy editor Ishkhan JinbashianArt director Grigor HakobyanThe Armenian Reporter is your newspaper. We urge you to send us your news and yourviews.News. Please send your news to .Letters. Please send your letters to Letters should be no morethan 250 words long and may be edited for clarity. Please include your mailing addressand daytime telephone number.Commentary. Please send your essays to Essays and articlesnormally should be no longer than 900 words.Photos and artwork. We require high-resolution originals. 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20 The Armenian Reporter | April 25, 2009