VP NOMINEE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR ARMENIANS AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
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. Notsurprisingly, 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!
- By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier
OUTSPOKEN GENOCIDE WITNESS, ADL VETERAN, APRAHAMIAN DIES AT AGE 101
1DETROIT - Centenarian Souren Aprahamian, a pillar of the Armenian community here, died on August 6 at the Sunrise Assisted Living in Farmington Hills after a short illness. He celebrated his 101st birthday ...HISTORIC MOMENT OF REDEMPTION
By H. Avedikian, translated by A.M.Irrespective of the contents and both the possible and impossible consequences, the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan will be a historic one. None of the leaders of Turkey have ever visited ...67,4 PERCENT OF TURKISH CITIZENS SUPPORT GUL'S VISIT TO YEREVAN
Translated by L.H.According to Turkish "Metropolis" strategic and social research center's sociological survey conducted among 1251 people of different cities, 67,4 percent of Turkish citizens support the decision of Turkish ...ARMENIANS OF TURKEY WELCOME GUL'S VISIT
Translated by L.H.Turkish "Jihan" agency conducted a survey among Armenians of Turkey connected with Gul's visit to Yerevan and had the following answers. For example, Hanefi Demirji said that the visit may build a bridge ...UNITED STATES STAND UP FOR AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Translated by L.H."The United States resolutely stand up for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan", announced Wednesday US Vice President Dick Cheney during the meeting with the Azerbaijani President Ilham ...VP NOMINEE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR ARMENIANS AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California CourierNow 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 ...
LENMARKER ARRIVES IN YEREVAN
VP NOMINEE REITERATES SUPPORT FOR ARMENIANS AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California CourierINTERVIEW OF PRESIDENT SERGE SARKISIAN TO RADIKAL NEWSPAPER (TURKEY)
MANY MEMBERS OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT EXPRESSED A WISH TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL MATCH IN YEREVAN
Translated by L.H.GUL'S ARRIVAL IN ARMENIA CONFIRMED
TURKISH LEADING PARTY DIDN'T PERMIT ITS MEMBERS TO LEAVE FOR YEREVAN
Translated by L.H.CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS IN STEPANAKERT
Translated by L.H.
OBAMA'S ARMENIAN SUPPORTERS SATISFIED WITH BAYDEN'S CANDIDACY
ARMENIANS OF TURKEY WELCOME GUL'S VISIT
Translated by L.H.GUL HASN'T DECIDED YET
- 1835 Birth of the novelist Raffi (Hakop Melik-Hakopyan), in Paianjue (Salmast, Iran). He died in 1888 in Tbilissi (Georgia).
- 1835 Birth of Armenag Haikuni - Hambardzoom Djezmejyan - (writer, translator) in Constantinople. He died in 1866.
- 1835 Birth of the armenologist Karapet Ezyan (Ezov) in Moscow. He died in 1905 in St. Petersburg.
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- 1923 Birth of Sargis Baghdasarian, sculptor, artist and teacher. His "We are our mountains" - "Gharabaghthsiner" sculpture (1967) became a symbol of the national movement of Artsakh. He died in 2001.
- 1969 Death of academician Meliksetbek (armenologist) in Tbilissi (Georgia).
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