U.S. President Barack Obama launched his second term Monday with a call for the United States to continue its “never-ending journey” to live up to the ideals of its founders.
The President’s Inaugural Address was beautiful. Yes, the 44th President of the United States can talk.
But can he act?
Barack Obama is destined to be the President of 1 million Armenian Americans on April 24, 2015. That is the date, when those citizens of the United States will be once again looking and hoping for the recognition of the Genocide brought upon their ancestors by the Turkish state.
Obama has promised recognition ahead of his first term, but his pledge has not been met. During the presidential campaign for his second term, Obama didn’t bother to remember that pledge. He also avoided meeting the Armenian American community altogether. What would he say to them, anyway? That all he can do is talk?
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) — sent a congratulations message on the occasion of Barack Obama’s second inauguration. In its message the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization called upon the President to “reset” his relationship with Armenian Americans with a pre-April 24th policy-level meeting with the community’s broad-based leadership.
“We are writing to congratulate you on your reelection as President of the United States, to welcome your inauguration, and, on behalf of our nation’s two million Americans of Armenian heritage, to reaffirm our interest in working with your Administration to align U.S. policy with the principles and priorities that you brought to the White House,” began the letter to the President.
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian went on to cite the importance of a community leadership meeting with the President, which would “provide a first opportunity for our leadership to hear from you personally about your perspectives and policies, and to explore areas of future cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the ANCA also launched a community webmail campaign asking President Obama, quite simply, “when will you honor your pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide?” Reminding the President of his strong record of affirming the historical truth regarding the Armenian Genocide during his years in the Senate, the online campaign notes, “Armenia and all the world are less safe today as a result of the terrible precedent of a genocide committed with impunity.” It goes on to state that “there is still time, as early as this coming April 24th, to honor your commitment and put America on the right side of this fundamental issue of humanity and human rights.”
Artur Papyan
Journalist, blogger, digital security and media consultant
5 Comments
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Indeed, he never used the words “Mets Eghern” before his presidency and always used the word “Genocide”. Now he never uses the word “Genocide”, but always uses the words “Mets Eghern”.
What does this tell us about Barack Obama? One thing for sure. He is the President of the United States, but not a man of his word.
Congrats on a second term, Mr. President. What else can I say?
exactly!
ANCA and the AAA specifically did not endorse Obama for the elections even though his stance during the election campaign was far more favorable for Armenia than Romney’s. When your only yardstick is the recognition of the Genocide, you ultimately paint yourself into the corner.
I don’t know how seriously one can take their new “urge to reset”. These two organizations are archaic and out of touch.
A worthwhile article about how the Armenian votes did not matter in 2012 due to the location of the Armenian-American population. The whole election is decided by a handful of so called “swing” states and the votes of the others do not really matter.
http://hetq.am/arm/news/20402/amn-i-hay-hamaynqi-qvei-kshiry.html
Move all the Armenians out of LA to Columbus, Ohio and good things can happen for Armenian-American causes.