“ONLY REAGAN DIDN’T DISAPPOINT”
07 April 2011
During his presidential term, the 44th President of the United States
Barack Obama disappointed those Armenian Americans who believed that
he would give his true evaluation of the 1915 Armenian Genocide by
calling it “genocide” in his April 24 addresses.
Barack Obama has already announced that he is planning to “seize”
the White House again and this means that Armenian Americans will once
again have to choose who they want to see as the next U.S. President.
“I think it is still too early to draw conclusions on which candidate
the Armenian American community will decide to endorse. That is a
decision takenf the incumbent president continues at this rate, it
will be very hard for him to convince the Armenian community to cast
votes for him by individual organizations. But it shouldn’t come as
a surprise that if the incumbent president continues at this rate,
it will be very hard for him to convince the Armenian community to
vote for him,” Director of the Bureau for the Armenian Cause and
Political Affairs Kiro Manoyan told “A1+” today.
Since the U.S. presidential elections are not held directly, but by
the assembly of the states, in that sense the Armenian community’s
vote has a rather large impact on the elections. “For example, in
California, as well as New York, Boston and Florida, it has an impact
to a certain extent.”
Kiro Manoyan recalled that out of all U.S. Presidents, only President
Reagan met Armenian Americans’ expectations in terms of Armenian
Genocide recognition. “After Reagan, all U.S. Presidents have pledged
to use the term “genocide”, but have not fulfilled their promise.”
Mr. Manoyan also mentioned that the 1915 Armenian Genocide is not the
only issue that is leaving the Armenian Americans undecided. “First,
they decide as individuals, but it is very important to see the
candidate’s position on issues concerning Armenians and whether he
or she is preparing to support the NKR and more.”
What impact die Barack Obama’s term have on the issues concerning
Armenians? In response, Mr. Manoyan said: “The “football diplomacy”
with Armenia as the main role-player began during Obama’s term. The
fact that Obama ignored the views expressed by the Armenian community
and the Senators and appointed Matthew Bryza U.S. Ambassador to
Azerbaijan added to all this. In any case, it is still too early
to predict who the Armenian community will vote for during the next
presidential elections.”
From: A. Papazian