USA AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DEFENDS OBAMA
armradio.am
01.07.2009 15:59
The U.S. ambassador to Armenia learned that President Obama’s
words do have consequences, as she was peppered with criticism from
Armenian-Americans upset that Mr. Obama is backing off a campaign
pledge to recognize the Armenian "genocide."
On a cross-country tour of Armenian-American communities, Ambassador
Marie Yovanovitch has had to defend Mr. Obama while trying to calm
her listeners who are suspicious of a political double-cross, the
Washington Times writes.
"I know there is disappointment and even anger at President Obama’s
April 24 statement," she said at a meeting last week in Arlington,
Mass., referring to Mr. Obama’s decision to avoid using the word,
"genocide," in his address on the annual Armenian Remembrance Day.
"But President Obama went further in his statement than any previous
American president. While we must never forget the past, we also must
work together for a better future."
In his remarks, Mr. Obama referred to the "1.5 million Armenians who
were subsequently massacred or marched to their death" in "one of
the greatest atrocities of the 20th century."
However, during the presidential campaign, he pledged to refer to
the tragedy as "genocide."