The cowardly and brutal attack on Krikor Shenian, editor and publisher of Nor Gyank 
(New Life) by a masked assailant on May 31, 1997, had some shades from the past.  
Considering the fact that this "dry gulcher" was masked and had several accomplices in 
waiting, signified beyond any shadow of a doubt, that this attack was premeditated.  
Moreover, because the cowardly assailant had accomplices waiting nearby, further 
signified that it wasn’t because of one disturbed individual’s dislike for what Mr. Shenian 
had expressed in his newspaper, but by a group of individuals or, perhaps, even an 
organization.   And if it was initiated through an organization, the most likely one would 
be the ARF because of the adverse position that Mr. Shenian’s newspaper had been 
recently taking against them.


In view of past circumstances, if the hierarchies of the ARF feel that they are being 
prematurely singled out for something that they had no part in, I should think that their 
newspapers would be vehemently denying the allegations.  Moreover, they should be 
leaving no stone unturned to find the real culprit/s--even if it turns out to be one or more 
of their own.  I understand that there are a few Armenian organizations who are putting 
up a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of person or persons involved.  
It will be interesting to see if the ARF takes part in it.


As of now, none of the ARF newspapers have reported the cowardly and savage attack on 
Mr. Shenian.  By remaining silent, they unfortunately give the impression that Shenian 
and Nor Gyank never existed.  And if this is so, it goes against one of the basic principles 
of a true democracy--freedom of the press--a principle that the Diaspora ARF has been 
continually criticizing Armenia about--sort of a pot calling the kettle black.


No doubt, there are many who have been affected by this barbarous assault on Krikor 
Shenian, but for anyone to go out and cause injury to another for retaliation would be just 
as cowardly.  We already have enough enemies in this godforsaken world without adding 
more Armenians to the list.


As a tribute to Krikor Shenian, we must all try to contribute to the $50,000 ransom 
offering.  The higher the offering, the more certain the end result.  Criminal assaults like 
this should not go by without a concerted effort by the public at large to bring the 
perpetrators to justice.  Our Armenian media sources could be very helpful in directing 
our efforts.  And I am further certain that if this is a case of ‘phantom politics,’ that all 
Armenians of good conscience, regardless of affiliation, will support it.


Joseph Vosbikian