Calls for Decisive New Leadership to Strengthen U.S.-Armenia Relations
WASHINGTON—In marking the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) congratulated President Donald Trump and Vice-President Pence, urging the new President to bring “new ideas and energy to U.S. policy on Armenian issues, further strengthening the robust U.S.-Armenia relationship, and reinforcing the enduring bonds of friendship that have long connected our two peoples.”
In a statement issued earlier today, the ANCA outlined three key policy areas including:
- Properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide, challenging Turkey’s obstruction of justice for this still unpunished crime, and, more broadly, rejecting Turkey’s efforts to control U.S. policy on Armenian issues, and
- Advancing a durable and democratic peace in the Caucasus by recognizing and supporting the independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh/NKR), and;
- Growing the U.S.-Armenia economic, military, and political partnership and supporting a secure, prosperous, and democratic Armenia.
An ANCA grassroots write-in campaign was launched in conjunction with the statement – anca.org/Trump – calling on supporters of Armenia to share their views with the new President.
A similar effort was launched in 2008, with the election of then President Barack Obama.
The full text of the ANCA statement is provided below. An expanded version, drilling down on specific policy priorities, is available at: http://anca.org/trump-statement
***
Armenian National Committee of America Statement on the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump
Jan. 20, 2017
The ANCA extends congratulations to Donald Trump upon his inauguration as President and welcomes the opportunity to work with him and his incoming Administration to advance shared American interests and ideals.
On behalf of America’s citizens of Armenian heritage and friends of Armenia from across the United States, the ANCA looks to President Trump—at a pivotal moment in the history of our nation’s global leadership—to bring new ideas and energy to U.S. policy on Armenian issues, further strengthening the robust U.S.-Armenia relationship, and reinforcing the enduring bonds of friendship that have long connected our two peoples.
Armenia, the world’s first Christian nation, shares America’s devotion to democratic values, human rights and religious liberty, embraces our aspirations for global peace and prosperity, and actively partners with the United States on a broad array of regional and international challenges.
It is in this spirit that the ANCA encourages President Trump to start his Administration with strong and decisive American leadership by:
- Properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide, challenging Turkey’s obstruction of justice for this still unpunished crime, and, more broadly, rejecting Turkey’s efforts to control U.S. policy on Armenian issues, and
- Advancing a durable and democratic peace in the Caucasus by recognizing and supporting the independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh), and;
- Growing the U.S.-Armenia economic, military, and political partnership and supporting a secure, prosperous, and democratic Armenia.
Guest Contributor
Latest posts by Guest Contributor (see all)
- Mourad Armenian School celebrates 90 years - April 17, 2024
- ARS & Hamazkayin celebrate Sona Zeitlian’s trailblazing 70 years of service jubilee - April 16, 2024
- Illinois communities hold flag raisings to commemorate Armenian Genocide - April 16, 2024
THIS is why I will never be able to take ANCA seriously as an organization or support it in any way. I am ashamed that an Armenian organization CONGRATULATES the ascendancy of a racist, xenophobic, mysogynist, etc. etc. fascist to power, and actually looks forward to COLLABORATING with said fascist. NOPE! Not this Armenian
T. J. Tourian, I completely agree. If these are the niceties and illusions ANCA is wedded to, forget it. Wait and see what Trump offers on April 24th. A soft spot in the bigot’s heart for the Armenian cause? I don’t think so. It will be a rude fistful of nothing.
I believe ANCA is doing a good job….all what Armenians need to do is continue peacefully demanding what belongs to us, be able to be navigate against obstacles hurled against our rights .whenever the regional geopolitics favours us … We need to be ready politically and militarily .in the meantime this is the best we should expect from both the USA or Russia
Are you confused?
Answer to Jourian : Are you on this planet?. whether you like it or not (I like it because the alternative was worse) he is the PRESIDENT of the United States. What would you want ANCA to do. Forget our issues for the next 4 years or may be 8?. I do not expect much from Trump but at least he is not a liar like Obama or Hillary Clinton who ,even though promising to recognize the genocide she visited the memorial “As a private person “. good riddance !
He’s not a liar? Are you serious? He blatantly lies about 90% of the time he opens his mouth. That’s your barometer? I don’t think I’m the one that’s “not on this planet,” which by the way Trump is assuring is altogether destroyed.
It’s irresponsible for ANCA to congratulate Trump and to suggest working with him. Such a message normalizes not just his bigotry, misogyny, and policies that will damage the lives of people of color, immigrants and low income people, but it legitimizes his alt-right, white supremacist supporters. As Armenian Americans, we should know better than try to advance support for Armenia by shaking hands with Donald Trump, a fascist who shows no interest in our values.
you have this information from the news media Trump is not a racist or a xenophobic or a misogynist etc etc facist to power. Our news is a bunch of liars and anyone or any group saying otherwise is labeled conspiracy theorists deplorables and so on you are using their names for Trump and have only their lies in which to base your beliefs on I hope you will change your tune by his actions and not by the propaganda based news media
Sandy, are you okay?
I have this information from his own actions and words. I don’t need media to tell me exactly what I am seeing and hearing for myself.
Some of the negative comments are unrealistic and insensible.
Trump is the President of the US. This is a reality that will not change for at least the next 4 years.
The ANCA has to work with the current US administration. They have no alternative route or means.
Not to support the ANCA, because they congratulated Trump is simply absurd and childish. Who and what organization is going to fight for our Armenian causes and the challenges we face.
Wake up.
Vart Adjemian
Yes, I agree with Nancy Agabian in that the ANCA should not have congratulated Donald Trump for becoming president, as he consistently sets a poor example for people around the world in terms of leadership, respect, and accountability without failure. Though, since he is our president, the only thing we can do is try and work with him to make sure our voices are heard and the needs of the Armenian people are met. It is important, now especially, for Armenians to come together and push for our rights. He is not a president of the people, but he is a president with strong international ties.
(Nancy Agabian // January 23, 2017 at 10:21 am //)
{Such a message normalizes not just his bigotry, misogyny, and policies that will damage the lives of people of color, immigrants and low income people, but it legitimizes his alt-right, white supremacist supporters. }
“bigotry”: provide proof of his alleged bigotry, instead of repeating anti-Trump talking points.
“misogyny”: again, provide proof. On the other hand, here are some facts about your favourite candidate. Bill Clinton was accused by several women of rape. Not just salaciously _talking_ about women, but sexual assault. At the time his wife, your candidate Hillary Clinton, lead a team that was assembled to destroy the credibility of these women. You lookup what names Hillary called these women. And of course there was no stained blue dress at the White House. Bill Clinton abused women for years and Hillary aided and abetted him all the way.
As to ANCA:
One of the most rational, clear thinking Armenian Diaspora organizations.
Unlike other – confused – Diaspora orgs and community leaders, ANCA wisely did not endorse either Trump or Clinton.
Why confused? very easy: Hillary Clinton is primarily responsible for the Neocon manufactured destruction of Syria, and as a consequence, the destruction of Syrian-Armenian community. We in Armenian-Americans have had to spend scarce funds helping our brothers and sisters in Syria. All their properties and wealth destroyed. Syrian-Armenians themselves were helping NKR and RoA before the Hillary-engineered destruction began 5+ years ago.
Now instead of our limited funds going to help our brethren in NKR and RoA, we have to divert our limited funds to Syria.
Had Hillary won, the carnage and destruction in Syria would continue, as Hillary openly promised during her campaign.
[Hillary Clinton calls for more ground troops as part of hawkish Isis strategy](TheGuardian.com 19 November 2015 14.13 EST)
{But Clinton called for further US special forces to be deployed to Syria too, reiterated her call for a no-fly zone and demanded an “intelligence surge” to allow the airstrikes against Isis to be stepped up. }
Trump, on the other hand campaigned on “no-interference in Syria” platform.
Shortly after Trump win, Aleppo was finally liberated.
And Yes: I voted for Trump.