1990_05 The Daily Collegian May 1990

              Mav 1990
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Hye Sharzhoom
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Panel discusses Genocide issues
FEATURES. Pages
By Satenig OhartAessian
Staff Writer
Fresno County Supervisor Deran
Koligian, Congressional candidate
Archie Nahigian, and Rabbi Kenneth I.
Segel of Temple. Beth- Israel all took
part in a panel discussion on April 24,
1990 at the CSU Fresno campus. This
event was co-sponsored by the
Armenian Students Organization and
the Armenian Studies Program.
The panel discussion was on the
topic of the Armenian Genocide.
"The purpose of this panel
discussion is for the students on
campus and from various Fresno
County high schools to get a feel of
different viewpoints on die Armenian
Genocide," ASO President, Jacqueline
Sislian, said.
In his ten minute presentation.
Supervisor Koligian urged his fellow
Armenians to remember and be proud
of their heritage.
"So often, we Armenians have been
asked by others, why? Why do you
Armenians dwell on something that
happened so long ago?. . .We react to
such challenges with strong emotions
anger, frustrations, bewilderment. We
feel we must give an answer,'' he said
adding, "Probably one of the most
often stated reasons is lhat we want the
world to remember and be reminded, so
history won't repeat itself, we say. All
wc have to do is give our attention.
Our ancestors gave their lives."
candidate Archie
Nahigian focused more on the failure
of the Senate Resolution 212 in late
February of this year.
"The failure of our Senate to endorse
Resolution 212 is a betrayal. . . of our
own history as a nation," Nahigian
said. "Indeed, it is also a measure of
our President's credibility and
ultimately a test of our government's
crcdiblity," be added.
Nahigian also remarked about
President Bush's 1988 presidential
campaign stop in Fresno.
"In 1988, during a campaign stop
here in our Valley, then Vice President
Bush assured us he would and I quote,
"Join Congress in commemorating the
victims of the Genocide...the Bush
Administration will never allow
political pressures to prevent our
denunciation of crimes against
humanity.'"
The last speaker. Rabbi Kenneth I.
Segel, also suesscd the importance of
remembrance.
"I think there should be an eleventh
conunandment from now on for the
Armenian people. . .ihe commandment
of Armenian survival. Thou shall not
'give in to Talaat and all of his heinous
lieutenants a posthumous victory. And
that's why we gather today. To speak
of life, to speak of hope, not just to
spcakof death," Segel said.
"I read a week ago in the Fresno Bee
on ihe East German statement, an
expression of remorse, an offer to
make reparations," said Segel adding.
Left to right: Congressional candidate Archie Nahigian; Barlow
Dtr Mugrdechian of the ASP; Fresno County Supervisor Deran
Koligian; Rabbi Kenneth Segel; ASO President Jacqueline Sislian
"I thought to myself. . .wouldn't it
have been wonderful to have read this
morning in the newspaper the same
expression from Turkey with regard to
the Armenian Genocide? It would have
meant something.
He also went on to say that the
Armenians   need   congressional   help
and action to validate their history. He
questioned, "Why is it necessary to
continue to tell die story? For the sake
of our children and grandchUdren; they
must never forget."
Close to one-hundred fifty studenis
and community members were in the
audience.
British author supports Armenian case
By 1'aulette Kasparian
Staff Writer
What started off as an interest in the
late Ouoman Empire soon turned into
a fascination about the Armenian
people's long, difficult struggle for
survival.
That's how Christopher J. Walker, a
free-lance writer from London,
England, has become a famous
ArmenoIogisL
He is the author of the renowned
book    Armenia-The Survival of   a
Nation,- which deals with the modem
history of the people and their
homeland.
"I'm a writer and I'm always open to
good subjects," said Walker adding, "If
a good subject comes along, I write the
book."
Walker explained that his curiousity
about the Armenians peaked when he
began studying Armenian illuminated
manuscripts. He soon began looking
for  more   books   strictly   about   the
Armenian people, but found none.
This was when he decided to write one.
"My belief very much is when you're
doing something you've got to do it
properly," Walker said explaining thai
he left no stone unturned in the
process of writing this book. He
researched just about everything ever
written regarding the Armenian case.
Walker's lightly salt and peppered
straight short hair did not reflect his
young fortyish age. He sat casually
with his gray-tweed blazer on, yei was
exuemely serious when discussing the
Armenian case and suggesting how to
go about gaining Genocide recog¬
nition.
He said Armenians need to use the
proper materials in supporting further
action on the Genocide. He warned that
the arguments must be more concise
and based on better sources.
"Steer clear of everything published
in England, France or the United
States. It will be seen as war
propaganda," he said.
He advises the use of German or
Austrian sources, who at the time,
sided wilh Turkey.
"Use Turkish sources lo deslroy
Turkish arguments," he said.
Walker explained lhal the Turkish
side of the Genocide is worth studying..
"They (Uie Turkish arguments) are
relevant in as much as they must be
refuted in a logical way," said Walker
adding, "They are not convincing but
they are relevant."
"Armenians must take time to look
at them seriously and nol get angry
about them," he said. However, he
realizes that the anger is legitimate.
Walker himself has had several
encounters with Turkish opposition
since publishing the book in 1980.
Though he tries not to get
personally involved in his. subject
matters, at times it is unavoidable.
"I take it personally because I get
attacked personally by ihe Turks."
Walker said.
Most of these unexpected verbal
attacks occurred during several
scholarly lectures Walker has given in
London. These attacks were instigated
by Turks yelling in the back of the
room.
"You feel the same anger as the
Armenian people feel over the denial
of the Genocide," Walker said in his
British tone. He explained that
through this, he identifies even more��with the Armenian cause.
However, all this hasn'l stopped
Walker's intense research and support
of ihe Armenians.
"In England our first response is to
be even more upfront," he said.
This is proven by the fact that
Walker is in the process of completing
his second book about Armenians.
This book will concentrate on British
extracts of the Armenian people from
1200 to the 1920s.
His first book, Armcnia-The
Survival of a Nation, will be reissued
this year, in a second edition, with two
additional chapters. The new chapters
deal with confronting Genocide denial
and Karabagh.
Valley farmers visit Armenia
Hye Sharzhoom Staff
The Fresno based Armenian
Agricultural Reconstruction Agency
(AARA) has released an "Agricultural
Rcconaissance Report" on their trip to
Armenia in July of 1989 when a team
of four conducted an assessment of
agriculture following the devastating
earthquake of 1988.
The purpose of the trip was to
evaluate the agricultural needs in
Armenia, to set up contacts and lines
of communication with die agricultural
community and institutes of higher
education, and to suggest projects
which would be of most benefit to
agriculture in Armenia.
The report details the need to rebuild
the agricultural potential in Armenia,
specifically concentrating on improv¬
ing production, and preservation of
agricultural products. Suggestions were
also made in the areas of soil
preservation and rehabilitation.
In addition the group recommended
that a sugar producing plant be built in
Spitak to replace the one completely
destroyed last year. The plant would
use technology developed in Armenia
and use the Jerusalem artichoke as the
major source for the dfcgars. The
estimated cost of setting up such an
industrial tine is about SI.2 million.
In addition, there is a need to
establish a network of farm advisors to
disseminate die latest advance in
fanning technique.
The AARA was established by
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Arden
Kasishian, Sarkis Sahatdjian, and
Sarkis Sarabian, members of ihe
rcconaissance team sent to Armenian
under the sponsorship of the AGBU
and Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simonc.
A student exchange program is also
being planned where sraBents from
Armenia will be brought to the United
States for intensive training. ft
The AARA has been active in recent
months, sending agricultural material
and informauon to Armenia.
Three thousand pounds of wheal seed
were sent to Armenia on a United
Armenian Fund flight last month. The
seeds were donated by die Sarkis
Sarabian family.
Potigian Transfer donated the haul¬
ing of die wheal seed.from Fresno to
Los Angeles for loading on the UAF
flight.
The Sahatdjian family of Madera
(Victor Packing) donated ten and one-
half tons of raisins valued at over
$22,000 to Armenia.
The AARA contacted Tri-Valley
growers, a large fresh fruit cannery,
and have informed them of ihe success
lhal the Microbiology Institute of
Armenia had in developing a red dye to
be used as food coloring. The dye is
derived from a bacteria source and is
reportedly non-toxic.
Arden Kashishian, a member of
AARA, has sent information on an
apple fungicide dip which will enhance
stored apples in cold storage to
preserve decay. He has also sent jojoba
seed and alfalfa seed varieties to
Armenia which are adaptable to ihe
climate in Armenia. Kashishian has
also worked on sending information
regarding rust disease on wheat.
Mih ran A mi an, of Austin, Texas,
has with ihe Armenian community in
Texas raised $200,000 earmarked for a
poultry project in Armenia. A joint
venture with top poultry producers is
being explored.
Dr. Galoust Aslantan, head of a
vegetable research institute in
Armenia, was Ihe guest of Peter
Krikorian of Krikorian Nurseries. The
Committee for Cultural Relations wilh
Armenia Abroad co-sponsored his trip
10 Fresno. While in Fresno Dr.
Aslantan visited die CSU Fresno.
School of Agriculture and ma wilh Or.
Hal Best, Vice President for
Institutional Research and with Dr.
Charles Smallwood, Dean of the
School of Agricultural Sciences.
The AARA welcomes inquiries into
its activities. Please call {209)278-
2669 for more information.
.    "