AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Dec 2 2004

`Azerbaijan not to allow cargo transit to Armenia’

Hundreds of transit cargo trains have been withheld on the
Azerbaijani-Georgian border for three days. The contents of 309
carriages are suspected to have been en route to Armenia. Commenting
on the matter, First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov said that
Azerbaijan can detain all consignments coming from other countries en
route to Georgia through its territory,

if they are further delivered to Armenia. He said that to prevent the
transit delivery of goods to Armenia, he met with Georgian President,
Prime Minister and Secretary of the Security Council last week and
informed them of such instances.
During the meetings, Abbasov urged the Georgian government to prevent
such cases and warned against detention of all kind of cargoes to be
dispatched to Georgia by Azerbaijan in order to protect the country’s
national interests.

Azerbaijan and Georgia have signed agreements on transportation of
transit and export consignments through the former’s territory
provided that they are not further passed on to Armenia, Abbasov
said.
Abbasov said, however, that there have been instances of cargo being
delivered to Armenia through Azerbaijan, in particular, transit of
oil products and fuel.
The First Deputy Prime Minister also underlined that the freight
trains, the destinations of which are determined, are allowed to
enter Georgia.
“Not a gram of fuel will be dispatched to aggressor Armenia, which
has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory, so that it could launch
new military attacks on our country,” Abbasov said.
The spokesman for the Georgian Railway Office Stepnadze said the
Georgian side is not aware of any cargo transportation to Armenia.
“As far as we know, the consignments coming from Azerbaijan are not
transported to Armenia via Georgia.”
He said that according to the existing bilateral agreements, the
consignments may not be transported to a third country contradicting
the interests of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Stepnadze indicated that the
recent detention of railway carriages on the frontier will not affect
bilateral relations.
“There are no problems between the two countries and Azerbaijan
reserves the right to inspect any consignment.”

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 2 2004

FOREIGN DRUGS THREATEN RUSSIA

MOSCOW, (RIA Novosti commentator Vyacheslav Lashkul)

The Russian Federal Service for Drug Control recently announced that
the Moscow region’s law enforcers had broken up 38 organized crime
gangs involved in drug trafficking in the last six months. Experts
have estimated that ten metric tons of heroin a year are sold in the
Moscow region. Most of the narcotics come from abroad. What are the
major drug-trafficking channels? Our correspondent started an
interview with the head of the Russian Federal Service for Drug
Control, Viktor Cherkesov, with this question.

Answer: We are particularly concerned about Central Asia. This year,
we tightened control over the Armenian-Georgian, Armenian-Iranian and
Belarussian sectors of the border. The latter is a major conduit for
synthetic drugs from Europe.

Question: You have mentioned on numerous occasions that if we erect
the barriers to drug trafficking further away from our borders, then
we will have to make fewer efforts to combat the drug threat inside
the country. In essence, this means “preventive strikes.”

A: In our opinion, a preventive strike means strong operational
positions on remote approaches to our borders. So far, we have been
more successful in combating drug trafficking inside the country than
on the perimeter of Russia’s borders. This stretches our forces too
thin. We cannot detain every drug dealer in Russia, although we
normally seize major shipments of illicit drugs.

Q: When you say “remote approaches,” you are, of course, referring to
Afghanistan, above all. As early as this spring, you announced that
your service would open an office in Kabul…

A: Russia has worked out all the procedures…We deal directly with
the Afghan Foreign Ministry, the Security Council of Afghanistan and
receive their full understanding. I believe that a representative
office in Kabul will be opened very soon. Everything depends now on
diplomatic procedures. Time will show how quick they willbe. It makes
sense to open a large bureau in a location that allows us to
establish stable communications with our colleagues from local law
enforcement bodies around the country and so receive constant
operational information to use it immediately for our purposes.
Unfortunately, the current situation in Afghanistan means we cannot
establish this kind of network throughout the country. So far, we are
limited to Kabul.

Q: The US-led coalition forces do not seem to have been very
successful in combating the narcotics threat from Afghanistan?

A: Until last year, the countries involved in the counter-terrorist
operation in Afghanistan basically ignored our concerns about the
constant growth of drugs production in the country. Moreover, if in
the past Afghanistan largely produced raw opium, today local drug
dealers are manufacturing high-quality heroin. Recently, there was a
case of massive heroin poisoning involving young people in the town
of Rubtsovsk in the Altai territory. Twelve have already died and
dozens of other are still in hospital. Our colleagues from Kazakhstan
report that at approximately the same time 20 people in the republic
died from heroin overdoses. Investigators believe both cases might
have originated from the same heroin shipment from Afghanistan.

Q: So, you are saying that Russia has been left to fight the Afghan
drug threat on its own?

A: No, this is not the case. Law enforcement structures from the
member-nations of the Collective Security Treaty – Russia, Belarus,
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – recently conducted a
joint counter-narcotics operation called “Channel-2004.” It showed
that no matter how great the scope of one country’s capabilities
might be in the fight against drugs, it cannot fight this evil alone.
In addition, we recently saw some positive developments in this
sphere. For example, the United Nations and several countries under
its aegis were included in the agenda of serious talks. In thesummer,
the UN conducted a series of high-level expert discussions, which
helped to draft joint tactics in combating drug trafficking at the
regional level. As a result, we have a model of an “anti-drugs
security belt.” At present, all the countries bordering on
Afghanistan have signed a political declaration on their readiness to
create a tight security ring around that country. It is extremely
important because we cannot count on drastic changes in the internal
situation in Afghanistan. The central authorities have virtually no
control over the situation in the provinces. Meanwhile, the majority
of Afghans are involved in drug production one way or another. It
seems that the coalition members only now are starting to realize the
potential threat of an Afghan economy based solely on narcotics
production. At least, there have been some recent cases when
coalition forces destroyed heroin production labs. A year ago, this
did not happen.

Q: Do you think it is possible to conduct joint anti-drugs operations
with coalition forces in the future?

A: We do not have the right to operate in Afghanistan. However, we
can exchange useful operational information about the activities of
certain criminal gangs in Afghanistan and identify new
drug-trafficking channels.

Q: What is the level of drug trafficking to Russia through the North
Caucasus?

A: I cannot give you exact figures. Everything is calculated using
expert estimates. I will try to give you a general idea. Narcotics
arrive in this region through territories around the Caspian Sea. The
worst situation is in Chechnya and neighboring regions. In the first
half of September alone, federal forces broke up two large criminal
gangs involved in the illicit drug trade. Officers seized several
kilograms of heroin and an entire arsenal of weapons. The result of
the operation serves as further proof that drug money is used to
finance terrorists.

Q: When your agency was established, you stated that one of its major
tasks was to undermine the financial foundations of the drug
business. Are you succeeding in accomplishing this task?

A: Today, we have a different outlook on the problem of identifying
the channels of drug money laundering as compared with a year ago. It
is true that we have never had a $10-20 million case, but this year
alone we filed over a hundred criminal cases involving dirty money
laundering. Half of them have already reached the courts.

Boxing Central
Dec 2 2004

Pacheco vs Darchinyan on Dec 16 – Admission free

Press Release
World championship boxing comes to Hollywood, FL with an exciting
lineup of bouts. The first card to hold a world championship fight in
Hollywood, FL features current IBF flyweight champion Irene Pacheco
facing undefeated challenger Vic Darchinyan. The card, to be held at
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino takes place Thursday, December
16, and will consist of six scheduled bouts. The title defense for
Pacheco is a reschedule from the September 3 date which was canceled
due to hurricane Francis. The event is being promoted by Warrior’s
Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the Seminole Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino. The event is during the grand opening of the Seminole
Paradise outdoors at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The
world title fight is free to the public that attend the grand
opening.

IBF flyweight champion Irene Pacheco (30-0, 22 KOs) of Barranquilla,
Colombia defends his title against the mandatory challenger Vic
Darchinyan (21-0, 16 KOs) of Sydney, Australia in a 12 round
championship bout. Upon turning professional in 1993, Irene `Mambaco’
Pacheco has compiled an outstanding record. In 1999, Pacheco, the
5’7′ southpaw, captured the vacant IBF Flyweight title in his 24th
professional bout by defeating Luis Cox Coronado by way of a ninth
round technical knockout in Pacheco’s hometown of Barranquilla,
Colombia.

Since then, Pacheco has defended his title impressively six times
with four victories coming by way of knockout victory. Pacheco’s
power and skill is unrivaled in the flyweight division. In his most
recent bout, Pacheco defeated Damean Kelly by way of a seventh round
knockout in September 2003. Pacheco was in control from the opening
bell and had Kelly down three times in round six. The December 16
bout against Vic Darchinyan will be Pacheco’s fifth time fighting in
the United States. Pacheco has defended the IBF flyweight title four
times in the United States. At 33 years old, Pacheco is going strong
and is in the prime of his career.

Twenty-eight year old Vic Darchinyan (21-0, 16 KOs), is looking to
become world champion on December 16 when he faces Irene Pacheco for
the IBF Flyweight championship. Darchinyan, originally from Armenia,
now fights out of Australia under the promotion of former three-time
world champion Jeff Fenech. The undefeated Darchinyan might be the
toughest fight of Pacheco’s career. Standing 5’5′, the southpaw,
Darchinyan, has a reputation of being a punishing body puncher.

This could be key in slowing down the fast and skillful Pacheco. All
21 of Darchinyan’s fights have taken place in Australia. September 3
will be Darchinyan’s first world title challenge as well as his first
bout in the United States. Darchinyan, the former Australian and IBF
Pan Pacific Flyweight champion earned his mandatory position to fight
for the title by defeating Wande Chor Charoen of Thailand on December
12, 2003 by way of a fifth round knockout. Since then, Darchinyan
defeated Falazone Fidal, in April, by way of a second round technical
knockout in his final preparation bout for Pacheco.

The co-main event features up and coming heavyweight Kendrick
Releford. Releford (11-4-1, 5 KOs) the World Boxing Organization No.
15 rated heavyweight is coming off back to back wins over Ramon
Garbey and former North American Boxing Federation champion Elieser
Castillo. Despite the four losses, the 22 year old Releford, who
turned pro at 19 years old, is quickly becoming a strong contender.

The undercard features junior welterweight Juan Urango (13-0-1, 5
KOs) back in action for the first time since his draw with Mike
Arnoutis in August.

Admission is free. First bout is at 7:00 PM. For more information on
Warrior’s Boxing Promotions, visit our Website at:

Va a:

Agenzia Nazionale/Stampa Associata ANSA (Roma)
Palais des Nations/Salle de presse
Av. de la Paix 8-14
1211 Genève 10

All’attenzione
della redazione centrale di Roma
e delle redazioni periferiche

Gentili signore e signori,

Abbiamo letto con amarezza il dispaccio ANSA di ieri, 1° dicembre 2004,
concernente l’eventuale adesione della Turchia all’UE.
Abbiamo dovuto constatare – nonostante il 16 novembre 2000 la Camera dei
Deputati della Repubblica italiana abbia riconosciuto inequivocabilmente il
genocidio degli armeni (Allegato A Seduta n. 813 del 17/11/2000) – che,
all’atto di esprimere tra virgolette il genocidio degli Armeni occorso
all’inizio del XX secolo, l’ANSA adotta un atteggiamento fuorviante e
pericoloso, di esclusiva derivazione propagandistica propria alla politica
revisionista condotta, fin dalla propria nascita, dallo Stato turco.

Nel 1985 la Sottocommissione per le minoranze delle Nazioni Unite ha definito
col termine di genocidio l’olocausto degli Armeni, ai sensi della Convenzione
delle Nazioni Unite del 9 dicembre 1948 per la prevenzione e la repressione
del crimine di genocidio. Inoltre, la quasi totalità degli esperti
internazionali in materia concorda, senza la minima ombra di dubbio, sul
fatto che quanto subito dagli Armeni tra il 1915 e il 1923 è da qualificarsi
oggettivamente come genocidio.

Vi preghiamo quindi cortesemente di rettificare il vostro dispaccio del 1°
dicembre e di non più tollerare in seno alla vostra agenzia l’utilizzazione
di termini eufemistici o riduttivi, come l’uso di virgolette o corsivi, al
momento di citare il genocidio degli Armeni.
In questo modo si potrà rispettare interamente la vera essenza di questo
crimine, e si darà un contributo fondamentale alla lotta contro il
revisionismo.

Cordialmente

Sarkis Shahinian
Associazione Svizzera-Armenia
Co-presidente

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Mercoledì, 1 Dicembre 2004
 
UE:TURCHIA, ANKARA DOVRA’ RISOLVERE ANCHE PROBLEMI MINORANZE ;
SI PRECISANO CONDIZIONI PER OTTENERE AVVIO NEGOZIATO
 
ANKARA
 
(ANSA) – ANKARA, 1 DIC – La Turchia, per ottenere la data di
avvio del negoziato di adesione con l’Ue, deve impegnarsi a
risolvere al piu’ presto possibile i problemi ancora aperti con
le sue minoranze etniche e religiose, come curdi, ortodossi ed
aleviti e a normalizzare le sue relazioni con l’Armenia. E’
quanto riportano oggi i quotidiani turchi Cumhuriyet e Milliyet
che fanno riferimento alla bozza di un documento, trapelato a
Bruxelles nei giorni scorsi, che contiene alcune linee guida per
i capi di stato e di governo che il 17 dicembre dovranno
decidere la data di avvio del negoziato con Ankara e le sue
condizioni.
 
   In particolare, per quanto riguarda la questione curda, l’Ue
sembra orientata a chiedere ad Ankara -secondo i due giornali-
“passi piu’ attivi”, e “negoziati con le organizzazioni
curde” al fine di mettere fine al conflitto. Secondo Cumhuriyet
l’Ue si spingerebbe fino a chiedere “un accordo di cessate il
fuoco con il Pkk” (una cosa che -secondo gli analisti-
difficilmente la Turchia potra’ mai accettare).
 
   Per quanto riguarda i cittadini turchi di religione ortodossa
(sono circa 2000), l’Ue chiede ad Ankara di riaprire la scuola
religiosa ortodossa di Hebeliada (un’isola vicino Istanbul)
chiusa da diversi anni e alla cui riapertura si oppongono gli
ambienti islamici ortodossi che hanno influenza sull’attuale
governo turco.
 
   Per gli aleviti, che si considerano una religione separata
dall’islam e che lo stato ed il governo turco continuano ad
assimilare ai musulmani, l’Ue intende chiedere un riconoscimento
della loro identita’ separata, in quanto “minoranza non
musulmana”, con le conseguenze che cio’ comporta.
 
   Quanto ai rapporti con l’Armenia, con cui la Turchia non ha
relazioni diplomatiche e contatti aerei solo 4 volte la
settimana, l’Ue chiede, come misura urgente, l’apertura di un
passaggio di confine ed un avvio di normalizzazione delle
relazioni avvelenate dal rifiuto di Ankara di riconoscere il
“genocidio” degli armeni del 1915 ad opera degli ottomani e
dalle conseguenze della guerra azero-armena del Nagorno
Karabakh, oggi sotto sovranita’ armena.
 
   (ANSA).

Broward New Times, FL
Dec 2 2004

Three new exhibits at CSMART

FRI 12/3

If you’re upset that you missed the exhibit “Yuroz’s Narrative
Culture of Cubism” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art (2855 Coral
Springs Dr., Coral Springs), you can stop fretting; the museum is
extending the exhibit to coincide with the opening of three new
exhibits to run through the winter season. The Armenian-born cubist
does what many artists merely attempt to do when painting romantic
scenes — he re-creates the feeling, not just a two-dimensional
representation of it. Even when Yuroz’s subjects aren’t touching —
like the two lovers in Sweet Serenade — the underlying sensuality is
still present as they quietly embrace their own inner spirituality.

Similarly tranquil, though of a less interpersonal nature, is Grace
Dubow’s “Simply Grace!” exhibit, which displays the artist’s fondness
for the great outdoors, as is evidenced in the watercolor Egrets and
the Moon. The other featured Grace, Grace Fishenfeld, focuses more on
concepts. The mixed-media collages in her exhibit “Moving Along
Through Media and Ideas” show off Fishenfeld’s background in graphic
design. Finally, rounding out the winter exhibits is Felipe R.
Luque’s “Arte Decorativo,” which features decorative steel pieces
like Table #5, a cross between a Tim Burton stage prop and a Chinese
calligraphic form. Too bad it’s not for sale; it’d make a great
conversation piece. The exhibits open Friday with a 6 p.m. reception
and run through February. Call 954-340-5000. — Jason Budjinski

There’s no form like no form

THU 12/2

If there’s one thing young artists constantly hear from their
parents, it’s relentless badgering about getting a real job. But for
Spanish-born artist Antoni Tapies, he tried the whole
go-to-law-school-and-get-a-job thing, but he just wasn’t feelin’ it.
So with the influence of Paul Klee and Joan Miró, Tapies emerged as a
prominent figure in Spain’s post-World War II art scene, lending
credence to the use of informal objects in his mixed-media
abstractions. His works from the late ’50s are a formalist’s worst
nightmare; the kind of symbolic expressionism nonartisans shake their
heads at. That’s art? Why, yes it is, Billy Bob. An exhibit of
Tapies’ lithographs is on display now through December 18 at the
Armory Art Center (1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach). Call
561-832-1776. — Jason Budjinski

Pioneer Press Online, IL
Dec 2 2004

Koshgarian rug owner killed
BY KAREN BERKOWITZ
STAFF WRITER

A 78-year-old man who for decades ran a family carpet business in
Evanston was killed Nov. 23 when he was struck by a sports-utility
vehicle while crossing Central Street.

Services for Edward N. Koshgarian were held Saturday at St. James
Armenian Church, 816 Church St.

The fatal accident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. as Koshgarian was
leaving his cousin’s Central Rug and Carpet Co., 3006 Central St.,
where the semi-retired Koshgarian continued to serve his longtime
clientele. According to witnesses, he had crossed Central Street to
go to his car on the north side of the street, but apparently decided
to backtrack and return to the south side of the street.

Cmdr. Joseph Bellino said Koshgarian was standing at the double,
yellow lines in the middle of the roadway, waiting for an eastbound
bus to clear his path, when he was struck by a GMC Yukon traveling
westbound. An Evanston fire ambulance arrived at 5:11 p.m. and took
Koshgarian to St. Francis Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 9:23
p.m.

The driver, Ann Hunzinger, 53, of Gurnee, was ticketed for failure to
exercise due care. She is to appear in traffic court at the Skokie
branch of Cook County Circuit Court on Dec. 15.

The accident occurred 14 months after Merle Kingman, 86, and his wife
of more than 60 years, Melva Kingman, 85, were killed when they were
struck by a car while crossing Central Street at Prairie Avenue.

Koshgarian, of 3208 Bellwood Lane, Glenview, had been semi-retired
since 2001, when he sold the building at 1911 Church St. that had
housed the family’s carpet businesses for 75 years.

Koshgarian’s father, Luther Koshgarian, founded the carpet business
in 1906. The family lived in a storefront over the shop and Ed
Koshgarian began helping out in the business by washing rugs at the
age of 8, according to the family.

He also accompanied his father on visits to customers’ homes. As a
teenager, he studied violin at Northwestern University and practiced
three to four hours each day while continuing to work in the family
business.

In 1944, he left high school to join the Army and served as a heavy
artillery shell loader during World War II. He made a significant
contribution during the Battle of the Bulge, according to his family.

In 1946, he returned to the family business, working with his father
and brother Robert. He took over day-to-day management in 1954 with
the death of his father, Luther. His brother Robert passed away in
1996.

He continued to play stringed instruments, including the mandolin,
guitar and violin, and performed in several community orchestras.

“He was a genuine guy,” said his son-in-law, Larry Farsakian. “He
would go into somebody’s home and if it was a good (Oriental rug), he
would tell them, and if was bad, he would tell them.

“He presented it in a way that you were not insulted. After telling
you that your rug was bad, he’d ask about your family and start
talking about his family.”

Mr. Koshgarian is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Anne
Koshgarian. He also is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law:
Wendy and Larry Farsakian, Janelle and Jeffrey Baderian and Eydie and
Michael Pridavka.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 2 2004

Armenians vow to prevent Azeri officer’s extradition after trial

Nazeli Vartanian, defense lawyer of Armenian serviceman Gurgen
Markarian, who was murdered by an Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov
in Budapest in 2003, and employee of the Armenian Defense Minister
Hayk Demoian held a news conference in the Hungarian capital on
Tuesday.
The two said that Safarov may be sentenced to 10 to 15 years in jail
or life imprisonment under the second provision of Article 166
(murder or murder attempt) of the Hungarian Criminal Code.
`The Azerbaijani side tries to extradite Safarov but we will make
every effort to prevent his hand-over to Azerbaijan,’ the speakers
said.
Lieutenant Ramil Safarov, an officer in the Azerbaijan Army, who was
attending courses in Budapest, murdered his Armenian counterpart
Markarian in a state of affect after the latter used foul language
against the Azerbaijani people, martyrs and the national flag.
The pre-trial hearing held in Budapest on November 25 decided to hold
the Azerbaijani officer’s trial on February 8, 2005.
Hungarian Ombudsman Barnabas Lenkovich, who attended the third
international conference of Ombudsmen in Baku on November 29-30, did
not rule out that the trial of Safarov may be prolonged for another
18 months under the country’s relevant laws.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 2 2004

783 Azerbaijanis in Armenian captivity

Minister for National Security Eldar Mahmudov, also chairman of the
State Commission on Prisoners, Hostages and Missing Persons, met with
Mary Vernz, head of the Baku office of the International Committee of
the Red Cross, and Jean Pour Carbon, the office’s coordinator on
defense affairs, on Wednesday.
Mahmudov said that 1,357 Azerbaijani nationals were released from
Armenian captivity from 1998 till 2004. However, according to some
documents and witness testimonies, Armenia still holds 783
Azerbaijanis in captivity.
Mahmudov emphasized that 4,852 people have become missing as a result
of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan and stressed that the
Azerbaijani President keeps in focus the future of the Azerbaijani
citizens held in the Armenian captivity.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 2 2004

Slovakian parliament recognizes `Armenian genocide’

The Slovakian parliament in its meeting on November 30 adopted a
decision to recognize the `Armenian genocide’, Armenian news agencies
reported on Wednesday.
The issue was approved by 69 votes and with one parliament member
abstaining, according to the reports.
The Armenian society in Slovakia stated in October that the country’s
parliament Speaker Pavol Hrusovsky is preparing a report on rejecting
Turkey’s admission to the European Union (EU).
In his report the Slovakian Speaker will urge all EU legislative
bodies to put pressure on Turkey to recognize the `Armenian
genocide’.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Times Union, Albany, NY
Dec 2 2004

Underscoring a dark time in history

Night devoted to Armenian music and culture has a reference point in
genocide of 1915

By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, December 2, 2004

TROY — Ralph Enokian doesn’t make a peep as he conducts the Armenian
Men’s Choral Ensemble, but becomes a chatterbox when lecturing about
the Armenian Genocide at local schools.
The former director of music for the Shenendehowa Central School
District uses entertainment and history to bring his relatively
unknown homeland to light.

Enokian, whose descendants came from the small country in
southwestern Asia, is one of four prominent Armenians bringing their
country’s music and culture to the Capital Region. On Saturday,
Rensselaer Newman Foundation will host “Armenian Arts and Culture
Night.”

Joining Enokian on stage will be award-winning opera and concert
singer Sylvia Kutchukian and Rev. Dr. Mihran Kupeyan, author,
historian, pastor and advocate for the acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide.

Kutchukian will be accompanied by pianist Charles Moore and Kupeyan
will give a talk entitled “Armenians, People of Ararat.” Troy Mayor
Harry Tutunjian, himself an Armenian American, will be giving the
opening remarks.

The program is being presented by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s
Chapel and Cultural Center in association with area Armenian
residents.

“Armenia has a rich history and we really wanted to raise awareness
of the country,” said Eric Smith, director of the Chapel and Cultural
Center. “We want to provide a program with interesting points in
arts, culture, religion and music. The local Armenian population is
bigger than people might think.”

That number is roughly 2,000, according to Rafi Topalian, founder of
the Capital District Armenian Genocide Committee. Aside from
celebrating cultural contributions, Armenians want such events to
bring a dark part of their history to light.

More than 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Turkish Ottoman
Empire in 1915. Topalian said the Armenian Genocide served as the
model for Adolf Hitler’s similar plight 30 years later. Turkey denies
the genocide occurred, attributing the deaths to civil war in the
region. Half of the Armenian population was lost in the bloodshed.

“Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, we want to rise above the
dark part in our history,” Topalian said. “We are willing to forgive
but we will never forget. We really just want what happened to be
acknowledged.”

Topalian, who is also a singer in Enokian’s choir, said the Capital
District Armenian Genocide Committee is planning a commemoration at
the Well of the Capitol on April 25 to commemorate the 90th
anniversary of the genocide.

Enokian retired from Shenendehowa in 1999 after 34 years as the
director of music, but continues to teach, appearing at local schools
during Armenian history lessons. He said he has a responsibility to
raise awareness because his grandparents were victims of the brutal
period.

His eight-man ensemble features various styles of music, almost
entirely in Armenian, but does two songs in English “just to show
that we can.”

“The end product is the re-creation of beautiful Armenian culture,”
Enokian said. “We show our love for Armenian music, culture and being
Armenian Americans.”

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Armenian
food will be provided and any donations will be given to the State
Museum’s Armenian Cultural Series and to Armenian orphanages.