VP NOMINEE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR ARMENIANS AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
By Harut Sassounian
AZG Armenian Daily
04/09/2008
Armenia-USA, Diaspora
Now that both political parties have selected their presidential and
vice presidential nominees, we can better judge which side is more
supportive of Armenian issues.
As the Democratic National Convention came to a close last Thursday
night, Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate
Sen. Joe Biden, briefly met at a private reception with a large and
enthusiastic group of supporters.
As they were hastily making the rounds and shaking the hands of
supporters, my young son, Aram, told Sen. Biden: "Thank you for your
commitment to the Armenian community." Sen. Biden, looking squarely in
his eyes, emphatically replied: "I don’t know anybody more committed
than me."
Those who have followed Sen. Biden’s distinguished career in the
U.S. Senate have no doubt about the accuracy and sincerity of
his statement. Not surprisingly, ever since his vice presidential
nomination over a week ago, the Turkish press has published dozens of
hysterical articles about Sen. Biden’s long-standing "anti-Turkish"
and "pro-Armenian" positions.
Topping Sen. Biden’s solid pro-Armenian record, Sen. Obama himself
has repeatedly made supportive statements on Armenian issues,
which explain why Turks and Azerbaijanis prefer Sen. McCain who
refuses to acknowledge the Genocide. The best example of Sen. Obama’s
strong commitment to the truth manifested itself during his visit to
Baku in 2005, when he was harassed by Azeri journalists for having
sent a letter to Pres. Bush asking him to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. Instead of ducking the issue, Sen. Obama boldly told the
irritated Azeris that the Armenian Genocide was a historic fact and
that "killing civilians anywhere in the world should not be allowed."
Although we need to be weary of promises made by politicians,
Armenian-Americans no longer need to beg presidential candidates to
acknowledge the Genocide. That was already accomplished by Pres. Reagan
back in 1981. Just as the Jewish community does not ask presidential
candidates to say Holocaust, Armenians do not need to ask them to say
Genocide either. However, should a candidate refuse to acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide, as is the case with Sen. McCain who voted
against a Senate Resolution on this issue sponsored by Sen. Bob Dole
in 1990, Armenian-Americans should condemn him rather than support
him. In a statement Sen. McCain issued earlier this year, he referred
to the Armenian Genocide as "painful experiences," "tragedy" and
"brutal murder." How many American Jews do you think would vote for
a presidential candidate who would dare to call the Holocaust mere
"killings" or a "massacre?" Since Sen. McCain is adamantly refusing
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in a close race when he needs
every vote to win, the chances slim to none that he would use the
term "genocide," after he becomes President! Therefore, voting for
Sen. McCain should be out of question for any self-respecting Armenian
who cares about the Armenian Cause. As to Sen. Obama, we should expect
him to do much more than merely acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. He
should be asked to increase foreign aid to Armenia and Artsakh,
pressure Turkey and Azerbaijan to lift their blockades of Armenia,
denounce the violations of civil, cultural and religious rights of the
Armenian minority in Turkey, urge Turkey and Azerbaijan to preserve
Armenian historic and religious monuments, and appoint qualified
Armenian-Americans to senior positions in his administration.
In my opinion, there is a clear contrast between the two presidential
candidates. Sen. Obama stands for change, while Sen. McCain is for
the continuation of Pres. Bush’s failed policies.
Those who vote for Sen. McCain, they would be voting for four more
years of Armenian Genocide denial by the White House and the State
Department, continued blockade of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan, and
an increased threat to Artsakh’s survival by an emboldened Azerbaijan.
Beyond Armenian affairs, Sen. McCain’s election would negatively impact
important issues affecting America and the world, such as: U.S. troops
remaining in Iraq indefinitely; possible American military involvement
in new wars in Iran and Georgia; more U.S. soldiers losing their lives
around the globe for no good reason; trillions of dollars added to
the national debt; millions of Americans joining the poverty rolls;
more Americans without health insurance; and more terrorism around
the world.
Sen. Obama may not be able to deliver on all of his promised changes,
but at least he won’t make the situation any worse than it is now!