LOUSSAPATZ_ The Dawn - 2012-958-11-10

ԹԻՒ 958 ՇԱԲԱԹ, 10 ՆՈՅԵՄԲԵՐ 2012

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ՕՊԱՄԱՆ ՅԱՂԹԱԿԱՆ Մեթր Պարգեւ Դաւիթեան

Ամերիկան վերընտրեց իր նախագահ Պարաք Օպաման` հակառակ անոր ոչ-ամերիկեան հնչող անունին, կէս-քրիստոնեայ կարգավիճակին եւ հակառակ անոր դէմ եղած «համայնավար» կամ «ընկերվարական» զրպարտեցուցիչ անուանումին։

Մեծ ՊՐԱՒՕ Ամերիկային, որ կը շարունակէ զարմացնել աշխարհը իր “Only in America” (միայն Ամերկայի մէջ) պատահարներու եզակի յատկութիւնով։

Աշխարհի ո՞ր երկրին մէջ կարելի է ընտրել նախագահ մը Օպամայի խոնարհ ծագումով, անոր համեստ կարելիութիւններով եւ մեծամասնական խաւին չպատկանելու տուեալներով։ Ամերիկան, որ դար մը ամբողջ իր գրկին մէջ ընդունած է օտար այլեւայլ քաղաքական, տնտեսական եւ ցեղային զրկանքներէն ու հալածանքներէն յոգնած ու փախած ազգերու եւ ժողովուրդներու բեկորները, այդ բեկորներէն ծնած զաւակ մը ընտրեց երկրորդ անգամ ըլլալով, որպէս նախագահ իր պետութեան։ Ան- գամ մը եւս մեծ ՊՐԱՒՕ Ամերիկային։

Այս ընտրութիւնները ցոյց տուին թէ ամերիկացի ժողովուրդը հաւասարապէս բաժնուած է երկու մասի։

Մէկ մասը կը բաղկանայ պահպանողականներէ, որոնք հինը պահպանելու եւ նորը մերժելու կը հաւատան։ Անոնք որոնք իրենց դղեակներուն մէջ նստած դուռը փակ պահել կ՚ուզեն անտուն եւ անապաստան տկարներու առջեւ. անոնք որոնք անցեալի բերքով ու փառքով հարստացած՝ կը մերժեն ընդունիլ պետական ընկերային ծառայութիւն դաւանող իշխանութիւն. անոնք որոնք կրօնի հագուստ հագած կը բռնաբարեն ամէն տեսակի կրօնական սրբութիւն. անոնք որոնք կարգ մը ճերմակամորթ այրերու խաշնարած (cowboy) մտածելակերպով այլամերժ են ու ինքնահաւան. անոնք որոնք, վերջապէս, նորեկ գաղթականներուն կը նային ստորագնահատական նայուածքով եւ զանոնք կը ջանան խաբել կեղծ ժպիտներով, որպէսզի շահին անոնց քուէները։

Միւս մասը կը բաղկանայ ազատամիտներէ, որոնք նորը ընդունելու եւ հինը բարելաւելու կը հաւատան. անոնք որոնք հարազատ զգացումով եւ բաց գրկով կ՚ընդունին նորեկը. անոնք որոնք նորեկի հեւքին ու վազքին մէջ կը տեսնեն իրենց անցեալը. անոնք որոնք անձի մը գոյնին կամ ծագումին մէջ թշնամի չեն տեսներ. անոնք որոնք կը մերժեն անցեալէն մեզի փոխանցուած նեղմիտ եւ հիւանդամիտ կրօնապաշտ ապրելակերպի գերին դառնալ. անոնք որոնք, վերջապէս, կը հաւատան որ մարդը պարտաւոր է իր տկար եղբօր ձեռք երկարելու, եւ հարուստի եկամուտին վրայ տուրք աւելցնելով՝ պետական ընկերային ծառայութիւն մատուցող կարգուսարքը բարելաւելու։

Ազատամիտ կէսը ամերիկացիներուն Օպաման նախագահ վերընտրեց եւ անոր տուաւ իշխանութիւն՝ չորս տարի եւս զսպելու պահպանողական միւս կէսին ռազմասէր եւ ինքնասէր ախորժակը։ Եւրոպան եւ իր հետ մնացեալ աշխարհը գոհ է Օպամայի վերընտրութեամբ։ Շնորհաւորելի են Հնչակեանները, որոնք եղան Օպամային զօրավիգ կանգնող ամերիկահայութեան միակ ձայնատուները։

Օպաման հրաշքներ պիտի չգործէ, բայց անկասկած որ անոր ընտրութիւնը աշխարհը փրկեց Ռոմնի-Նէթանեահու-Հարփըր երրորդութեան մը ծրագրելիք արկածախնդիր քաղաքականութենէն։

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REMEMBRANCE DAY

BBY CHARLOTTE PECKOVER

Don't worry we will remember you, We will carry the torch on, Just like you asked, And win the war.

Don't worry we will remember you, You were strong willed, You were brave hearted, And for this we will remember you.

Don't worry we will remember you On the day of peace so sorrowful. We will show our respect on the 11th of November. Many people come and see you on this special day.

Don't worry we will remember you. The poppies can hear your whispers As they are as red as blood. Don't worry we will remember you.

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President Obama Wins Re-Election

President Barack Obama won re-election to a second term in the White House beating Republican challenger Mitt Romney after a long and bitter campaign.

Obama defeated Romney in a series of key swing states despite a weak economic recovery and persistent high unemployment as U.S. voters decided between two starkly different visions for the country.

Obama handily defeated Romney after nabbing almost every one of the 12 crucial battleground states.

The Obama victory marks an end to a years-long campaign that saw historic advertisement spending levels, countless rallies and speeches, and three much-watched debates.

Armenia’s President Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on winning reelection and expressed confidence that U.S.-Armenian relations will grow even closer during his second term.

“Your impressive victory has proven that the course taken by you for moving the United States forward, your domestic and international policy meet the expectations of the overwhelming majority of the American people,” Sarkisian said in a letter released by his press office.

“I am also greatly pleased that with your reelection we will be able to continue to develop and deepen the Armenian-American relations which currently enjoy the highest level in the history of our bilateral contacts,” he said. “I remain confident that during the four years of your second term our multifaceted cooperation will yield new impressive results for the mutual benefit of our peoples.”

The United States will remain “deeply involved” in international efforts to resolve the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and keep pressing for the implementation of Turkish-Armenian normalization agreements during President Barack Obama’s second term, Ambassador John Heffern said on Wednesday.

Armenian Council of America- PAC had endorsed President Obama for a second term, while another Armenian PAC stayed neutral in this race.

U.S. Urges Diplomatic Solution to Karabakh Airport Row

WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States has called for a “diplomatic solution” to an escalating Armenian-Azerbaijani war of words over the planned launch of commercial flights from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The United States urges the parties to find a diplomatic solution to issues relating to the operation of the airport, in keeping with the relevant international agreements, customary international law, and the current practice between Armenia and Azerbaijan with respect to civilian air travel,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing in Washington on Friday.

Nuland would not say whether or not the planned flights from Yerevan and Stepanakert should go ahead without Azerbaijan’s permission. She cited instead statements on the issue that have been made by U.S., Russian and French mediators seeking to broker a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

In one such statement issued in July, the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group said they “received renewed assurances from the sides that they will reject any threat or use of force against civil aircraft, pursue the matter through diplomatic steps, and refrain from politicizing the issue.”

However, Azerbaijani officials have since continued to threaten to forcibly halt any flights to Stepanakert’s newly renovated airport. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reiterated those threats last week. The Armenian military, for its part, warned that it would counter any Azerbaijani attempts to shoot down civilian aircraft over Karabakh. Although the Karabakh airport’s reconstruction was essentially completed recently, it remains unclear when it will start functioning. The Karabakh authorities have repeatedly postponed the launch of the flights, citing technical problems.

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U.S. Ambassador to Baku Banned From Visiting Armenian Cemetery in Jugha

Jugha cemetery before complete destruction

BAKU -- U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar has issued a statement on the protection of cultural heritage in the region.

“After the appointment, I started learning about the culture and history of the country. I have recently visited Nakhijevan, Lankaran, Shaki, Oghuz, Guba and Lahij. These visits gave me a better opportunity to familiarize myself with the country’s cultural heritage. The region has a complicated history. Nagorno Karabakh conflict claimed thousands of lives, and seriously affected the places having historical, religious and cultural importance in the region. During my visit to Nakhijevan, I held discussions with the local authorities on the destruction of the

ancient Armenian cemetery in Jugha. I regret that the authorities did not allow me to visit the place, citing security reasons. The protection of the region’s heritage is essential to future peace," the statement reads.

The United States supports the efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to protect the historical archives of each other’s communities in their countries. For example, next week Armenian and Azerbaijani archivists will be in the U.S. on a joint program to learn more about preservation of cultural artifacts. Efforts of this kind are encouraging and we will do our best to support any such initiatives in the future,” the statement reads. Jugha

Nakhichevan's Azeri authorities have completely destroyed Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) and chapels tracing back to the 9th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the cemetery, where the ancestors of present-day Nor Jugha Armenians were buried, had some 12,000 khachkars: by 1998, however, their number had dropped to less than 2,000 until complete destruction.

One of the famous settlements in the historical province of Yernjak, ancient Armenia, Jugha existed intermittently until 1848. Having the status of a village in the early Middle Ages, it grew into a town between the 10th and 13th centuries, enjoying the fame of an outstanding trade centre in Armenia between the 15th and 17th centuries. Jugha was eyewitness to all the historical events that took place in the territory between Nakhichevan and Vaspurakan. In the Middle Ages, the densely-populated prosperous town was often subjected to invasions by foreign forces, being periodically devastated, plundered and set on fire. In 1605 Jugha was finally reduced to ruins, its population being deported.

Armenia Dismisses Azerbaijan’s Fresh Karabakh Flight Threats

YEREVAN — Armenia on Thursday condemned Azerbaijan’s renewed threats to forcibly halt planned commercial flights to Nagorno-Karabakh and warned of “adequate” retaliation against Baku. The Azerbaijani government reiterated on Wednesday its strong opposition to the reopening of a

newly reconstructed airport near the Karabakh capital Stepanakert. Defense Ministry spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu said the Armenian side’s plans to launch a regular flight service between Stepanakert and Yerevan without Baku’s permission would violate international law.

“Second, one must take into account the fact that we are in a state of war,” news agencies quoted Sabiroglu as saying. “And third, if they [the Armenians] resort to that step, they will get an adequate response. That is, the Azerbaijani army will perform its duties.”

Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly issued such warnings before. Some of them have openly stated that the Azerbaijani military would shoot down civilian aircraft entering Karabakh.

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The authorities in Stepanakert and Yerevan have brushed aside such threats. General Movses Hakobian, the commander of Karabakh’s Armenia-backed army, warned earlier this week that his forces are capable of destroying air targets deep inside Azerbaijani territory.

“This year, for instance, the [Karabakh] Defense Army’s air-defense forces tracked 2,226 flights in Azerbaijan’s airspace,” Hakobian told journalists. “Namely, they flew within our firing range and could have been shot down.”

“I go to Yerevan very often, and in order to reassure our public I promise to fly there every time,” after the launch of Stepanakert-Yerevan flights, he said.

Artsrun Hovannisian, the Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman, cited Hakobian’s comments when asked by RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) to comment on the latest Azerbaijani threats. He also said any use of force against civilian aircraft would run counter to international law.

“We are always ready to take corresponding actions,” said Koryun Nahapetian, chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on defense and security. “That could take the form of statements or appropriate military actions. So rest assured that our authorities are doing everything in this regard, and there is no need to be concerned.”

International mediators seeking a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict said in July that they have “received renewed assurances from the sides that they will reject any threat or use of force against civil aircraft, pursue the matter through diplomatic steps, and refrain from politicizing the issue.” Although the Karabakh airport’s reconstruction was essentially completed recently year, it remains unclear when it will start functioning. The Karabakh authorities have repeatedly postponed the launch of the flights, citing technical problems.

Liturgy Celebrated in Diyarbekir Armenian Church

St Kirakos Church of Diyarbekir

The St Kirakos Church of Diyarbekir (Tigranakert), the largest Christian church in the Middle East celebrated first church liturgy after 32 years break. On the same day the church hosted a wedding.

The renovation of the 14th- century St Kirakos Church has been carried out with the assistance of Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Diyarbakir Municipality also financed the initiative.

The church’ s belfry damaged in 1915 shelling has been rebuilt. The church’s dome was ruined because it erected higher than the surrounding mosques and minarets. Even though the church has been operating since 1980, its bells rang only after a 97-

year-break on November 4. Church's 100 kilograms weighting bronze bells have been sketched in Moscow by the efforts of

Mutafyan, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople. The bells are exactly the same as the church possessed before the earthquake. Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, an acting patriarch of Constantinople, consecrated the belfry. The ceremony was attended by Armenians arrived from the U.S., Armenia and Canada. The St Kirakos church was built in 1376.

Diyarbakir's Kurdish Mayor Osman Baydemir has released a statement in connection with the opening of the church. The mayor, who's Municipality undertook 30 percent of the renovation expenses, stated that the opening of St. Kirakos is an effort for common treatment of wounds of the past, while ‘our cooperation’ is the compensation for 90 years.

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US Ambassador Sees No Conflict Between CSTO and NATO

Participants of NATO Week in Armenia seminar

YEREV AN -- Y erevan hosted a seminar on “Enhancing Cooperative Security: The Added Value of NATO’s New Partnership Policy” as part of the NATO Week in Armenia. The event brought together high- ranking officials from NA TO, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, political scientists, experts, NGO representatives.

Armenian peacekeepers are carrying out mission in Kosovo and Afghanistan within the framework of Armenia-NA TO cooperation in the field of security, which proves that Armenia is willing to further deepen the cooperation with the North- Atlantic Alliance, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan said.

NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appaturai said, in turn, that NATO pays serious attention to the cooperation with Armenia.

“The two most important areas of Armenia-NATO cooperation include operations and defense reforms, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said.

“Armenia has contributed a good number of very skilled troops to NATO operation in Afghanistan and has resumed its contribution to KFOR,” the Ambassador added. As for the defense reforms, the Ambassador said “NATO is encouraging the Armenian military to develop a professionalized army.”

Ambassador Heffern said there is no competition between the United States and Russia in the region. “We work very closely with each other, especially on the Minsk Group process,” he added.According to John Hefffern, there is no competition between the collective Security Treaty organization (CSTO) and NATO. “Armenia has a special relationship with Russia and the CSTO and has an important partnership with NATO, the Ambassador said, adding that he sees no conflict between the two at all.

Touching upon the operation of the Stepanakert airport, the Ambassador said “there cannot be attacks against civilians.” As for NATO’s role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, John Heffern said NATO does not seek a direct role in the Karabakh issue. “We have a confidence in the OSCE, and the Minsk Group is the best form for that.

Oskanian Again Summoned for Interrogation

YEREVAN -- Former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian was again summoned to Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) on Monday in his continuing prosecution on charges which he considers politically motivated.

As was the case during his previous visits to the NSS headquarters in Yerevan, Oskanian refused to give testimony on the controversial fraud case that was brought shortly after he joined the opposition-leaning Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) early this year.

According to his lawyer Tigran Atanesian, NSS investigators sought to question him in connection with allegations by the Civilitas Foundation, a think-tank founded by Oskanian, that the Armenian authorities started persecuting him in 2009. Atanesian said they were specifically interested in Civilitas claims that an unspecified Armenian commercial bank revoked its decision to appoint Oskanian as a member of its board under government pressure.

“The NSS tried to question him but Mr. Oskanian did not testify in connection with that,” the lawyer told journalists.

Oskanian was formally charged with embezzlement and money laundering last month immediately after the Armenian parliament lifted his immunity from prosecution. He stands accused of

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misappropriating a portion of a nearly $2 million donation that was made by a U.S. philanthropist to Civilitas two years ago.

Oskanian strongly denies the accusations, calling them a government retribution for his strong criticism of President Serzh Sarkisian and the PAP’s decision to pull out of Armenia’s ruling coalition in May. The authorities, for their part, deny any political motives behind the case also condemned by the BHK leadership.

Oskanian, who served as foreign minister throughout former President Robert Kocharian’s 1998- 2008 rule, last month expressed readiness to stand as a PAP candidate in Armenia’s upcoming presidential election. The party led by businessman Gagik Tsarukian has still not announced whether it will challenge Sarkisian in the ballot. Oskanian seemed to imply on Monday that the PAP will not back Sarkisian’s reelection bid. “The party will make its decision and after that we will continue our struggle with joint efforts and the BHK will undoubtedly make its great contribution to all this,” he told reporters outside the NSS building. “There is not much time left, the answer to that [question] will come very soon.”

4 Armenian Soldiers Die in Truck Crash

YEREV AN -- Four Armenian soldiers were killed and 15 others seriously injured in a car accident reported by military authorities on Friday.

The Armenian military said an army truck carrying them rolled into a deep ditch on a mountainous road in Armenia’ s northeastern Gegharkunik region bordering Azerbaijan.

A statement issued by it suggested that the truck driver, who was among the dead, was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. It said all four victims were contract servicemen.

The injured servicemen were rushed to a hospital in the nearby town of Vartenis and later transferred to the main military hospital in Yerevan. According to a senior doctor there, five

of them were in intensive care as of Friday evening. One of them, Sergeant Artur Yeghiazarian, was hospitalized in critical condition and underwent

urgent surgery. “The operation went well and, thank God, everything is fine,” one of his relatives told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). Military investigators, meanwhile, launched a criminal investigation under a Criminal Code clause that deals with dangerous driving resulting in fatalities.

A Very Important Conference on the Hunchakian Party

Prof. Osheen Keshishian

By Prof. Osheen Keshishian

An important academic conference was held on Saturday,October 27, 2012, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the first Armenian political party, the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party.

The event took place at Woodbury University’s Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium in Burbank, California. The conference was organized by the Armenian Educational Benevolent Union (AEBU) and the Nor Serount Cultural Association (NSCA), and co-sponsored by the Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Armenian History at UCLA, Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan, Woodbury University, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and

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Research (NAASR), thus giving more weight and importance to the conference. The Social Democratic Hunchakian Party (SDHP) is the first Armenian political party which was established in 1887 by a group of young intellectuals studying in Geneva, Switzerland. They were Avedis Nazarbekian, Kevork Gharadjian, Mariam Vardanian, Ruben Khan-Azat, Kristapor Ohanian,

Gabriel Kafian, and Manuel Manuelian. They were all Russian Armenians with definite leaning toward Marxism and socialism and all of

them were in their twenties. It is also interesting that a young woman was also among the founders. Renowned individuals joined the party, like Antranik Ozanian, Stepan Sabah-Gulian, Mourad, Paramaz and others. The Hunchakians participated in the Sasoun, Van, Shabin Karahisar and Zeytoun

resistance movements and many times in leadership positions. The party established several newspapers, schools, youth groups, engaged incultural and athletic

activities throughout the Middle East, Europe, The United States, Canada, South America, and other locations.

This short story was expanded, studied, analyzed during the high caliber conference with the participation of scholars and professors from Europe and Eastern and Western United States, a phalanx of experts – Sebouh Aslanian, Ara Sanjian, Gerard Libaridian, Hratch Tchilingirian, Rev. Abel Manoukian, Vahram Shemmesian, Garabet Moumdjian, Kevork Bardakjian, Richard Hovannisian, Aram Arkun, Ara Dostourian, and Vartan Matiossian.

They talked about the ideology, problems, difficulties, inter-party relations, achievements, issues and various activities of the Hunchakians, particularly during the Ottoman Empire. Many speakers wanted to talk longer their allotted time, because there is so much to delineate about the first Armenian political party.

This conference was long overdue, and I am glad that it took place revealing hitherto little known or even unknown events, activities, principals, andfacts.

One eye-catching fact was that the audience was overwhelmingly an educated class of the community. At the same time, it was unfortunate to notice the absence of the members of the other political parties, and you could count them on your fingertips.

The conference was webcasted live. Another positive observation: it was announced that the conference proceedings will be printed in a book very soon, so that history will be available for everyone. The organizing committee, the core members – Harut Der-Tavitian, Sevak Khatchadourian, Vasken Khodanian and Thomas Yeterian, – deserve a great thank you.

Indian Director Shekhar Kapur: Film on Armenian Genocide Will be Challenging

By Rajat Ghai

New Delhi — The man who gave us the sensitive “Masoom”, the hilariously thrilling “Mr. India”, the gripping “Bandit Queen” and the grand period drama “Elizabeth” has not lost any of his creative zeal. The latest topic to catch Shekhar Kapur’s fancy is the Armenian genocide, and he knows it’s going to be challenging.

The film deals with the systematic extermination of minority Armenians in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) by the Ottoman Empire during and after the Great War (1915-1923). (The Armenians had been settled in Anatolia for generations after their tiny country in the Caucusus region northeast of Turkey

was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1514) The event, termed genocide by Armenians the world over, caused the deaths of 1 to 1.5 million ethnic Armenians in Anatolia.

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Kapur had recently tweeted that he was going to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, to collect material on the event. The idea, he said, came to him from a script sent by the man who wrote “Motorcyle Diaries”.

“It is a part of world history though a very shameful one,” Kapur told IANS during a candid conversation here.

“The idea came to me based on a script sent to me by the screenwriter of ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ (Puerto Rican Jose Rivera). I fell in love with the script. It is a challenging project though. It will require lots of money, lots of passion and organisation. But there are a lot of passionate people behind this project. So it will hopefully see the light of day,” he said.

However, filming of the movie will not start before another year, says Kapur, who is yet to begin work on his long-pending movie on water wars, “Paani”.

The Armenian genocide is a particularly touchy topic in the political state that succeeded the Ottoman Sultanate in 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s Republic of Turkey.

So taboo is the topic for both – the Turkish government and ordinary Turks, that a Nobel laureate like Orhan Pamuk was prosecuted and found himself on the hit list of a far-right Turkish group for openly stating that Turkey had committed genocide against the Armenians.

Does Kapur fear inviting similar censure?

“I invited the wrath of upper castes, the government and the censor board with ‘Bandit Queen’. But I did not back down. I believe in fighting for what I believe in,” he said with a wry smile.

“Moreover,” he added, “there has been a shift in Turkish society. Nobody from that period is alive today. The new generation believes that their nation is great and has to move on. They say, ‘Why can’t we accept what happened’?”

Controversy is not new to Kapur. He had drawn flak from British tabloids in 2002, when he directed his own version of A.E.W. Mason’s novel “The Four Feathers”, starring the late Heath Ledger. The novel is centred on the Mahdist War in Sudan, sparked by the death of Charles Gordon (Gordon Pasha). Kapur was accused of being ‘anti-British’ when the film released.

“I was not anti-British. I was anti-colonisation. That is why I made the film. I made my own version because the novel and the previous film versions were heavily pro-colonial. It was colonial arrogance that led the British to intervene in Sudan. It was this that I wanted to show,” clarified Kapur.

The 66-year-old is the only Indian to have made a successful Hollywood film. “Elizabeth” (1998) won Cate Blanchett the Bafta and the Golden Globe for best actress though she lost out on the Oscar. The film, however, received an Oscar for best makeup. The sequel “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007) was also well received.

With the two period dramas behind him, is there anything special about history that attracts him?

“A society that does not learn from its past is condemned to repeat its mistakes. As a filmmaker, history for me is like sci-fi. I can create an entire world of my own,” said Kapur.

Armenians in Ottoman Empire Before 1915

Book Published in Turkish

Armenians in Ottoman Empire Before 1915 joint work of Raymond Gevorgian and Paul Pabujian has been issued in Turkish language, Turkish-based Armenian Agos paper reports. The book tells about more than 2,900 Armenian-populated settlements in Anatolia, and

presents more than 1,000 photos of churches, schools and other buildings. The book was printed in France still 20 years ago. It consists of two parts. The book tells about the second half of 19th century when Armenians were engaged in educational, press and

printing, religious, economic and political activities. “People and the Lands they Live in” sector tells about Armenian population from village to village, from town to town.

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Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian to Speak on “Historic Armenia: Memories and Images”

FRESNO — Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian will present an illustrated lecture on “Historic Armenia: Memories and Images” at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in the University Business Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on the Fresno State campus.

This lecture is part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall 2012 Lecture Series and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization.

Der Mugrdechian traveled to historic Armenia in summer of 2012, visiting Kars, Ani, Van, Aghtamar, Bitlis, Moush, and Erzerum. These regions are rich in the cultural history of Armenia. The Monastery of Varag and the Arakelots Monastery of Moush were among the historic and moving sites that he visited. He will present his impressions about the trip and discuss the changes that are taking place in Turkey regarding Armenian monuments and churches.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian is Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State and has been teaching Armenian language, art, history, and culture course for more than twenty- seven years.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Parking: Parking rules have changed for the university. Parking is available in Lots A or J on campus, only if a free parking pass is obtained by using parking code 273303 in any of the campus

kiosks. For more information on the lecture please contact the Armenian Studies Program at 278-2669.

Aleppo Burns While We Fiddle: A Wake-up Call to All Armenians

By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier For almost two years, Armenians worldwide have followed the vicious civil war in Syria with great

anxiety and concern for the safety and survival of their compatriots. Regrettably, dozens of innocent Armenians were killed or injured by indiscriminate gunfire and

shelling, while many others have been kidnapped. Armenian homes, churches and schools were looted, damaged or burned. Thousands of families, scrambling to save themselves, fled to Armenia and the neighboring countries.

In recent months, as the situation assumed alarming proportions, the Government of Armenia and Diasporan communities finally began making preliminary plans to help Syrian Armenians.

These efforts, although well intentioned, were too little, too late! Until now, there has not been a coordinated and comprehensive plan to deal with this enormous humanitarian crisis. Below is an outline of the three key tasks that require the immediate attention and support of all Armenians:

1) Fundraising: Tens of millions of dollars are required to meet the urgent needs of Armenians in Syria and those who have sought refuge in Armenia, Lebanon, Jordan, and elsewhere. These funds could be raised from both non-Armenian and Armenian sources.

Non-Armenian sources would include: the US Congress, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), international humanitarian organizations, and other governmental agencies.

Armenian sources would include: the Republic of Armenia, major Armenian organizations and businesses, and individual benefactors. Funds could also be raised from the general pubic through special events, mass mailers, and telethons.

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It is regrettable that the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and its regional affiliates have failed to properly assess the critical condition of Syrian Armenians, as reflected in the inexcusable decision of allocating to them a mere 10% of the proceeds from this year’s Thanksgiving Telethon. This has created a strong resentment among the Armenian public toward the Armenia Fund. It is still not too late to take corrective action and allocate the full 100% of the telethon’s proceeds to Syrian Armenians both at home and abroad as refugees. Contributors to the telethon should specifically request that 100% of their donations be earmarked to Syrian Armenians. Alternatively, they can donate to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, a pan-Armenian committee established in several countries in recent weeks. The Fund will send 100% of the contributions it has collected to its counterpart operating in Syria.

In recent days, I have received heartbreaking phone calls from compatriots in Syria, desperately pleading with Armenians worldwide to help them before it is too late! It is unconscionable to give a mere pittance to fellow Armenians whose lives are at risk every moment! The tragic fate of Syrian Armenians should receive priority attention from all Armenians at this critical juncture, as it is a matter of life and death! All other problems and projects should be placed on the back burner.

2) Lobbying: the Government of Armenia, Armenian political parties, and influential individuals must urge the Great Powers, key neighboring states, and international organizations to pressure all warring sides in Syria to avoid causing civilian casualties. If such pleadings are not fruitful, more stern measures should be taken against offenders by cutting off financial and military assistance, and charging them with war crimes. If need be, demonstrations can be held in front of embassies of countries supporting those responsible for civilian casualties.

3) Coordinating: A pan-Armenian entity should be created, similar to the committee for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, to coordinate all efforts worldwide for fundraising and lobbying for Syrian Armenians. The members of such a body would consist of the leaders of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh as well as the representatives of major Diaspora organizations. The coordinating committee must have full-time staff to carry out the necessary tasks in a timely and professional manner. The pan-Armenian entity would interface with the inter-communal committee in Syria to ensure that the donated funds serve their intended purpose.

It is understandable that due to the sensitive nature of the situation in Syria, not all efforts can be publicized. Nevertheless, the Government of Armenia and Diaspora organizations must take some concrete and explicit steps to reassure Syrian-Armenians that they are not abandoned to their tragic fate; that Armenians around the world care deeply for their well-being; and will do everything possible to support them in their greatest hour of need!

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