AMERICAN-ARMENIANS HAVE GREAT ANTICIPATIONS
Naira Khachatryan
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
07 Nov 08
Armenia
Director of Armenian and Karabakh office of the American National
Congress of Armenians Arpy Vardanyan was the guest of "Urbat" club
yesterday.
Many American Presidents have promised to recognize Armenian Genocide,
during their pre-election campaign, but they have broken their
promise, once elected as president. According to Arpy Vardanyan the
situation is evidently different in this election: "Senator Obama,
both as a Senator and as a presidential candidate has many times
spoken about the Armenian Genocide and has underscored that he is
ready to recognize that fact. And he has three times spoken about
this during his pre-election campaign.
This time the American Armenians hope that he will keep his
premise. Many Armenians have voted for him. In my view this time
there is greater probability that the US future President will keep
his promise. If not earlier, then during the message of the President
on April 24 everything will be clear."
The speaker is confident that in the near future Turkish lobby will
make their efforts double: "Even from today the Turks will work
actively to have influence on Obama and Vice-President Joseph Baiden
regarding the recognition of Armenian Genocide. The latter has 20
years working experience in the Senate and is well aware of the
Armenian Cause. He is the friend of Armenians and the Turks know this."
Is it possible that like all the others Barrack Obama will also forget
about his promise, very important for the Armenians. "Of course that
version is also possible. But I must repeat, that Barrack Obama has
many times spoken about recognizing the fact of the Genocide. Moreover
he has mentioned that it is not a matter of choice for him. It is a
fact that must be recognized."
Arpy Vardanyan believes the experience of their organizations is
enough to effectively counteract the Turkish lobby. "We have 35
years’ experience, which is very important. The American Armenians
are very active and devoted to this issue. As regards the financial
possibilities, especially in conditions of the recession, we must
underscore that it is also a very important factor especially because
we know that Turkish lobby possess great financial means. But in my
view the devotion and the experience of the Armenian community is
more significant.
The Armenian National Congress of America is planning to continue its
work with the Congressmen: "The emphases was put on the presidential
elections. The elections of the House of Representatives also took
place. As you know before the elections the group engaged in Armenian
Cause, in the Congress consisted of 157 members. But the number
has changed after the elections because some members have not been
reelected. At present we are planning to meet with the congressmen
and propose them to become members of that group."