Armenian International Magazine (AIM) June 1999, Volume 10, Number 6, pp 46-48

Master of Grand Theater
Gerard Avedissian in the Cultural Landscape of Lebanon

By Hratch Tchilingirian

Playwright, actor, director and producer Gerard Avedissian, 55, is one of the most sought-after artists in the Middle East. A regular guest on the Lebanese television talk show circuit and the cultural scene, Avedissian is the master of the grand theater. “People expect something big and something well done,” he says, when they see his name associated with a theatrical production. In 1997, when he wrote, directed and co-produced “Ghadat Al-Camilla”—a musical play inspired by Alexandre Dumas Jr’s The Lady of the Camellias—some 55,000 people saw the production in one season.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4, p 58-59

AN ARAB HISTORIAN AND HIS CAUSE
Saleh Zahredeen Takes on the Armenian Genocide

By Hratch Tchilingirian

"The truth shall be told even while hanging on the gallows," confidently affirms Saleh Zahreedin, 48, Lebanese Druze historian and author of a dozen books and pamphlets in Arabic on the Armenians and the Genocide.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4, p 34

From Activism to Diplomacy
Karabakh finds a place in the geostrategic architecture of the Caucasus

By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN

In the last decade, the Karabakh leadership has effectively transitioned from the political activism of the late 1980s and armed conflict in the early 1990s to serious diplomacy-with a combat-ready, disciplined army to back its political and geostrategic interests. Today, having acquired the constituent elements of statehood, Karabakh functions as a de-facto independent state.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4, p 56-57

The Armenian [Diplomatic] Mission in Egypt
Ambassador Edward Nalbandian goes to Paris with acclamation

By Hratch Tchilingirian

Unlike countries with decades-old (even centuries-old) state apparatus and experience in diplomatic relations, the "first generation" diplomats of virtually all newly independent countries carry enormous responsibilities and challenges. In addition to representing political and economic interests of their respective countries, diplomats of new states bear the responsibility of creating new diplomatic infrastructures in their host countries with virtually no (or at best very little) state budgets. From finding, acquiring and maintaining decent embassy buildings to obtaining cars, computers, faxes and staff, the first few years for a "new diplomat" are most challenging.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) February 1999, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 18-19

NOBODY'S LISTENING
Who is Responsible for Maintaining Armenia's Telephone System?

By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN

"Everything is being done to do nothing," said Makich Demirian, Chairman of the Merchants Guild of Armenia, regarding the recent and growing dissatisfaction with ArmenTel, Armenia's sole telecommunications company. An exasperated population in Armenia is caught between company executives looking out for corporate interests, a government trying to figure out which official made what deal with whom, and a political opposition garnering momentum on a critical economic issue prior to the May parliamentary elections. 

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) January 1999, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 20-21

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
Armenia moves to reinforce the UN Genocide Convention

By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN

"Genocide shaped the founding of the United Nations" said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a message on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The legally-binding Genocide Convention was adopted in 1948 and entered into force in 1951.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) December 1998, Vol. 9, No. 12, p. 11

[Editorial by Hratch Tchilingirian

CLASH OF VALUES
The West's patronizing, sometimes arrogant attitude has contributed to the frustration of groups who are tired of "transitions"

The World Council of Churches (WCC) which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month (see page 62), has come under strong criticism-particularly since the collapse of the Soviet Union-by high ranking leaders of the Orthodox churches that follow the Byzantine tradition. Among them, Russian Patriarch Alexei II has warned that the continued participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in WCC will depend on the organization's "total reconstruction." The Russian Orthodox Church is the biggest in the WCC's 332 mainly Protestant (and leading Orthodox) member churches. The Georgian Orthodox Church has already withdrawn its membership and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is expected to withdraw this month.

Armenian International Magazine (AIM) December 1998, Vol. 9, No. 12, p. 52

The People's Choice
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan Elected 84th Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.

By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN

After months of state interference, the Governor of Istanbul-having received the required approval of Turkey's Council of Ministers-permitted the 80,000-strong Armenian community of Turkey to proceed with the election of a successor to Patriarch Karekin II who passed away in March of this year.