Obama Alienates Armenian Americans

Activists and commentators react

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—If President Obama’s plan were to completely alienate Armenian Americans in the first year of his presidency, it’s safe to say he has reached his goal in record time.

Two weeks after betraying his campaign promise to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, Obama broke yet another promise to Armenian Americans who had staunchly supported him during his presidential campaign—he tilted the military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan in favor of the latter, and proposed allocating less aid to Armenia than it received in 2008.

The two Armenian American groups—the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the Armenian Assembly—that for years have struggled against genocide denial and for—at least—an even-handed approach to Armenia and Azerbaijan, issued strongly worded statements expressing their disappointment over the Obama’s most recent betrayal of promise.

But little has been written about the community’s disappointment and outrage over what it views as the continuous stream of blows from the Obama Administration in recent weeks.

The community leaders, commentators, and activists I talked to this week attested to that anger.

“The Armenian American community in California was taken aback by President Obama’s proposed budget that significantly slashes U.S. aid to Armenia in favor of a boost to Azerbaijan,” said Ara Khachatourian, the English-section editor of “Asbarez,” a newspaper based in California, which is home to close to a million Armenians. “Coming on the heels of his disappointing announcement on April 24, his budget proposal has angered this community, which in droves voted for him and his agenda for change. Not only has there been no positive change, but there have been further setbacks that could adversely affect Armenians around the world,” he added.

Boston-based activist Ara Nazarian agrees. “Soon after breaking his campaign promise to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide and strong-arming the Armenian government into issuing a shameful joint communiqué with Turkey on the eve of the 94th anniversary of the genocide, President Obama has broken yet another campaign promise,” he said. “The president’s much-touted message of change and hope and his commitment to the pursuit of justice and human rights seems to bypass the concerns of the Armenian American community. This is especially troubling given his inspiring and energizing campaign promising to break with the expedient politics of the old. While Obama’s presidency is in its infancy, the Armenian American community is experiencing déjà vu all over again,” he added.

Activist George Aghjayan from Worcester, Mass. wonders what Armenia gained in return for the concessions it made during its recent negotiations—under U.S. pressure—with Turkey. “Armenia has given up much over the last few weeks: signing a “road map” agreement that derailed U.S. presidential recognition of the genocide, concessions supposedly contained in that road map, and now the proposed foreign aid package,” he said. “What exactly has Armenia received for all these concessions that, quite frankly, jeopardize its very existence?”

“It’s not just two hits, genocide-avoidance and budget-cutting,” said commentator Garen Yegparian of Burbank, Calif. “Have you heard of any significant positions [in the Obama Adminisration] filled with competent Armenians? How about the ill-timed Turkey visit?”

Yegparian added, “How did Armenia agree to the timing of the infamous statement?  You don’t think our beloved U.S. Department of State, with Hillary leading the way, was applying the screws to Armenia?” 

“It’s time to say enough and manifest our rage.  We should be having LOUD, though small and permanent pickets at every significant federal facility where media could be brought to bear, plus pickets at dozens of U.S. embassies across the globe,” he said.

Prominent Armenian commentator Harut Sassounian, also the publisher of the California Courier, believes that “Armenian interests are now going from the frying pan into the fire.” By breaking his promises, Sassounian said, “President Obama is disrespecting his own word first.”

Sassounian has a call for action to all activists: “Let’s fight back, the way we did the firing of Ambassador John Evans when we blocked the nomination of his successor. We should not sit back and watch our interests go down the drain! We can get the U.S. Congress to reverse the foreign aid cut. We can also reverse the effects of his April 24 statement by passing a genocide resolution in the House as well as the Senate.”

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian

Khatchig Mouradian is the Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist at the Library of Congress and a lecturer in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies at Columbia University. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator of the project on Armenian Genocide Denial at the Global Institute for Advanced Studies, New York University. Mouradian is the author of The Resistance Network: The Armenian Genocide and Humanitarianism in Ottoman Syria, 1915-1918, published in 2021. The book has received the Syrian Studies Association “Honourable Mention 2021.” In 2020, Mouradian was awarded a Humanities War & Peace Initiative Grant from Columbia University. He is the co-editor of a forthcoming book on late-Ottoman history, and the editor of the peer-reviewed journal The Armenian Review.

33 Comments

  1. Where’s the “community’s disappointment and outrage” over the slow murder and oppression of TODAY’s Armenians?  Where is the Diaspora’s support of the intellectuals fighting alone for a decent and honest country in the last sliver of a homeland?  Where is the ‘community’s’ indignation over AAA/ANCA’s continued appeasment of the neaderthals that have driven away Western support and respect?

  2. Is anyone really surprised? I am continually surprised that people believed him.  Obama wants everyone to think he’s different.  But he isn’t.  He’s just another politician who will say anything he has to to get elected. 

  3. I agree with everything Debra said… I was amazed how the Armenian comunity was supporting Obama and all my friends thought I was crazy or something when I would tell them that Oabama will change his views within month after becoming president… well, sad to say it happened… IMPEACH OBAMA – LOL

  4. I am embarrassed to say that I was one of Obama’s first supporters.  I purchased books and tee shirts to support Obama the candidate…I no longer like Obama the president. I will to send them to the white house. I suggest we pick a day where all Armenians that supported him send back their Obama paraphernalia. With it a note stating,  I hope the Armenian Issue doesn’t mark the beginning of a huge back-slide of compromised campaign promises.

  5. There is no question that we’ve been ditched by the Obama Administration which is following State Dept policy.  I’ve just finished two letters — one to the President and one to Speaker Pelosi on these issues.  Exactly right as stated above — the Genocide Resolution must now be back on the table and Congress must not let parity between Azerbaijan and Armenia be ignored.  Letters, phone calls — everything — we’ve got to get back to work.

    I know that it would have been much worse with McCain. However, my outrage is worse now because I actually believed Obama would hold to his promise.  I also don’t understand why he didn’t inform our two leading organizations in D.C. ahead of time that he was going to do this.  Why spring it on us? 

    No matter how upset I am — I’m still a Democrat and have to hold their feet to the fire.

  6. Actually, this is the beginning of  a huge back-slide of promises. What ever happened to ending the war in Iraq? What’s with the escalation in Afghanistan? Next thing you know he’ll be rattling sabers at Iran. Have any Hayer been in contact with Jon Huntsman (whose father spent million and millions rebuilding Hayastan after the earthquake)? Maybe we start a Jon Huntsman in 2012 campaign right now.

  7. I’m not one bit surprised that Obama has turned on the Armenians.  I’m sorry to all of you fellow Armenians who actually voted for him, believing his empty promises of standing behind Armenians, among all of his other promises. The man is a good ‘campaigner’ & that’s it. How right McCain was when he compared Obama to a celebrity.  What kind of president pokes fun at a situation where Air Force One scared so many citizens in NY that still have PTSD from 9/11 or makes fun of a former VP, even if he doesnt care for him. Where is the respect for the USA and its good loving citizens.  This is why I wrote to ANCA when they were pushing us all to vote for him. You DON’T  vote for someone  because he “promsies” to make another country fess up to what they did to a whole ethnic group many years ago. (and my grandfather &  other relatives survived that massacre!)  Now everyone is seeing the true man that was elected by so many who believed his BS.  I’m sorry to say, but just wait to see whats in store for all of us good loving USA citizens….things are only going to get worse, much worse… PLEASE WAKE UP and realize what is going on in a country that is supposed to be free. Fight for what this country was founded on so many years ago. Realize and research what we are in store here with Obama’s wonderful “CHANGE” before its too late. 

  8. Like I said in Asbarez, I blame all this ENTIRELY on the Armenian president, Serge Sargsian.  It is entirely HIS FAULT that Obama is breaking all his promises.  He signed that so-called “Road Map” agreement TWO DAYS before April 24.  He is a spineless man who has caved in to foreign pressure.  He is not acting on the interests of the Armenian people and thus, he is dangerous to have as our president.  By jeopardizing our national security, he and our Foreign Affairs Minister have committed treason against the Armenian state.  What’s worse, Serge is gonna stay as our president for at least another 3 years.  GOD HELP US!!  Ո՜վ Աստուած, քեզ կ’աղաչեմ որ օգնես մեզ:

  9. None of this is surprising to me. People who did their homework on him and his past record knew what was ahead. Putting aside the whole “Armenian thing”, the man doesn’t even like America (as evidenced by his long-time associations whom he threw under the bus when they started to become problematic to him) or Americans, other than those who put his agenda of making this a Eurpoean style (if not worse) Socialist country ahead of all else. Hang onto your hats, folks – this is just the beginning. LS

  10. You people are fools for voting for this guy. And the ANCA is even more foolish for endorsing him last fall. I’m glad I didn’t fall for the propaganda. I just feel sorry for all of you that thought Barack Obama was a “friend” to Armenians. I knew this was coming, and judging from some of the previous posts here, I’m not the only Armenian with some sense!

  11.  


    Morality—Mortality in Politics

    In politics, does morality exist?
    I do not know what else persists.
    Alter like waves no one can chase.
    Come and go through foggy shades.

    Morality, if it can’t exist.
    How humans can smell cheers.
    Can any soul walk endlessly
    In muddy crisscross streets!

    Lies exist in their drinks.
    Smirk cunningly as part of gears.
    To say what’s not to be done.
    Is the summit of smiles, seized?
    Morality is like fallen leaves.
    The tree stays to see the deaths.
    The branches weep even in spring.
    When summer dawns, shoots new leaves.
    Politics if diseased means a real cancer.
    Spreads to kill, sound, breeding cells.
    The ailing stays engulfing stem cells,
    Even before they start to breed.
    Honesty if it exists
    Never signs to be politics.
    The skins need false hands to rub
    To weir others, who for truth they carve.

  12. Mr president Obama you lost  1.5 million American-Armenian and 6 million worldwide Armenians Love and Trust

  13. Armenians made same mistake backing John Kerry.  Where is Kerry’s former outrage? At least the Bush Administration took the fight to the Terrorist Muslims, yet Obama and Kerry have put it to the Hyes to get their votes.Remember Reverend Wright, “Damm America”. Obama even cancelled Prayer Day. If he were a Christian he would not have said a prayer in a Turkish Mosque. I am a life long Democrat, yet I did not vote for Obama, a man who hates our country and relegion.

  14. Time to send all democrats a message. Do not contribute to any congressional races; get the word out about the other ways in which the President is systematically breaking his promises and walking America down the socialist path.

    We are about to live in a country where we are to buy cars made by a government owned manufacturerer; the government owns the banks by as it “expropriates” the healthy banks refusing to let them repay Tarp which they were coerced into accepting; nationalies medicine; and the list goes on.and on. 
     All this is being done  to appease a  populist sentiment which is presumed to be in the majority. Well it is time to tell the congressional representatives that there is no majority populist sentiment. And it is time that our organizations – such as the ANCAto call it like it is – and ask Armenian Americans to become activists against all democratic candidates.  
    Let’s mobilize in areas where we can have an impact. More than 3,000 Armenian Americans helped elect the President. We need to organize again to fight the Democrats and expose the President.

  15. President Obama:  You systematically crushed our hopes.  I feel duped, foolish, brokenhearted and disgusted, all at the same time.  I think you missed your “calling” – you should have been an actor…

  16. I guess there were a lot of Armenians who drank the Obama Kool-Aid.  You have been
    scammed.  This guy got what he wanted…votes.  He does not care about anything but power.
    Yes I am Armenian.  You could not pay me enough money to vote for Obama. 

  17. First, let me say I am disgusted with Obama. Second, let me say I voted for him for a number of reasons, not just because of his promise (now broken) to the Armenians. As disappointed as I am, I am still glad he won rather than McCain. I will not vote for Obama again, but neither will I vote for a Republican out of spite. I might vote for Jon Huntsman if he run or I might just drop out of American society altogether. 

    As for being scammed, I can’t believe any self-respecting Armenian would vote for a war mongering candidate like McCain. The country is still better off with Obama, despite the heartbreak he has caused.

  18. We shall see when our children assume the vast debt. 
    Liberals take away freedom (like Obama).  Conservatives preserve freedom.
    As for a war mongering candidate, I am in the Navy and proud of my service.
    I am also proud of all who serve and protect our freedoms.  Too bad Obama wishes
    to take them away.
    God bless you and I hope you wake up.

    PS:  I am glad you saw the light on Obama.  There may be hope for you yet.

  19. To everyone who cannot stand Obama because of his “official” position on the Genocide:  What would you have done differently? Voted for McCain who’s personal and official position was going to be that those issues are best left to Historians to debate.    Every president makes promises while campaigning and then faces the reality of the how decisions are made once they are president.

    It’s silly how much importance we put into what other people say about us.  If President Obama used the word Genocide not one thing would have changed with Turkey. Not..one..thing.

  20. I have never been more disapointed than what President Obama did on not using the “G” word on April 24th.  On five occasions he pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide but failed as a president on recognizing the truth.  I have now lost my faith in not only Obama but all past presidents whom made there solemn promise  to recognize this well documented Genocide of the Armenian People.  Shame on these presidents whom the Turks have put pressure on them and by using five Jewish Organizations by the Turkish Government to do their dirty work.  Armenians must wake up and change the way we do things.  A demonstration against the President and the State Dept. must be a plus immediately in Washington, DC.

  21. Ok now!!.. I really don’t care how much money is being sent to Armenia, because Armenians in Armenia don’t see those dollars coming or helping the nation in any ways. All these millions of dollars go to Sarkisyan’s (a.k.a. Serjik) and his gang members’ pockets. So do I care? NO!!  As far as I know Armenian government wants to open the boarders with Turkey and Azerbaijan and establish “better” relationship with them.  Now we are asking less for Azerbaijan and more for Armenia? Can’t we just ask more for Armenia? It seems that we Armenians don’t know what we want, and thanks to our ignorant and ridiculously stupid president, things got more confusing.  Armenian government has done NOTHING to derserve more!!!…And we, American Armenians, need to stop blaming Obama’s administration, and shift our attention to Armenia and its government. To gain credibility, respect and monetary help, CHANGE Armenian mafia governtment. I admire Obama and what he is doing for the U.S….

  22. To people who misread the article
    The article is not about Democrats and Republicans. Why don’t you take your braggings somewhere else…

  23. What is the discussion about here? How can a nation, and its leader recognize the genocide of others when it denies the genocide of its own people? The United States was, and is an empire which has a long history of denying its own heinous crimes. Given this fact, we shouldn’t even be having this discussion. It should be clean even to a two year old!

  24. “Armen” what is your point?  That until the United States recognizes its own genocides…however you may want to define that…it has not moral standing to recognize the Armenian Genocide.?   If Turkey did as much atonement for its past crimes as the United States we wouldn’t have this issue.

  25. I knew Obama was NOT going to do use the work genocide.  Why should he?  What can Armenia and Armenians do for him besides get him elected?  I’m sure Hillary talked him out of it.   What I want to know is what Joe Biden is doing?  After all, supposedly, he was a big supporter of us.  All politicians have to walk a tightrope to make negotiations.  I knew he was trying to not upset Turkey by using his words carefully.  If he used the G word, it would have alienated Turkey from the start.   Nevertheless, I know ALL politicians lie and use Armenians for votes.  When are you going to realize this?  As long as Turkey is a NATO ally, NOTHING will change.  All of these talks and negotiations are all pointless.  We are nearing the 100-year mark of the genocide.  Pretty soon,  there will be no more survivors and each generation will lose hope.  The only thing I am upset about is that the aid to Armenia is being decreased and the one to Azeris is being increased.  I’m sure someone high up in U.S.  government received a bribe to betray us and it was planned from the start.    Everyone knows politicians lie.

  26. What is Obama’s Obligation to Armenians?
     
    Let’s start with the bottom line. Whatever his commitment to Armenians it is secondary to his commitment to act in the best interests of the US. As an American, albeit of Armenian lineage, that is what I expect of him. Anyone who takes campaign statements as gospel just doesn’t understand the process. The commitments during campaigns are voluminous. They are about direction and intention. Once elected now the focus turns to making tradeoffs and implementation within a changing reality.
     
    Turkey is an important part of the reconciliation process between Syria and Israel. Turkey has a role to play in supporting our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lack of cooperation from Turkey makes Iraq more difficult for the US and our troops. The relationship between the USA/West and Turkey is a demonstration that being a Muslim country doesn’t necessarily mean a hostile relationship to the West. Turkey being influential in the Caucasus helps the US offset Russia influence.
     
    Does anyone really expect the President to put aside vital US interests to keep a campaign promise? The President had a difficult choice—a tradeoff between serving US interests and keeping a campaign promise. He is a pragmatist and a realist, and he made a predictable choice.

  27. Did you expect more?  You are all fools.  The only president who ever used the words Armenian Genocide was a republican.  He is going to hit all you doctors in the pocketbook as well.   Next time research the man you vote for.  Armenians are all religious and his strong pro abortion stance should have been enough to have you look at the other candidate.  He is more concerned with muslim rights as his name suggests.  How many of you speak Arabic?  you should have known.

  28. As an American I love Obama and everything he stands for. First few months of his presidency he is already involved broadly with all the issues relating to peace process worldwide, without taking sides unlike his precedents, including the Palestinian and Israeli issues.  I am going to have to agree with his stand about the Armenian issue relating to genocide and the financial aid cut economically and militarily to Armenia.
    Did it ever occur to you maybe during his visit to Turkey, he was presented with evidence and facts in regards to the Armenian genocide that might have changed his views, and later he regretted making comments in regards to the genocide during his campaign without researching it in details. Maybe he really wants to wait and see the results of the joint study being established between Armenia and Turkey.
    As far as the financial and military aid cuts go, I certainly would understand why. We all know lately things between the US and Russia haven’t been that well. We are on a head on collision course with Russia in regards to many foreign policies. Knowing the fact that Armenia and Russia are the closest ally in the region, it would not be a smart thing for us to help Armenia at this point. The fact is Yerevan doesn’t rule Armenia, Moscow does. Of course Azerbaijan rightfully will be getting the bigger piece of the pie, since they are our only ally in the region and they want to help and support our interest in the region. If you ask me they should get four times the amount they are getting in terms of the financial and the military aid.
    Second most important thing is occupation of Nagorno-Karabach. Armenia is the aggressor and occupier of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Just because ethnically Armenian 140,000 people want to self govern themselves within Azerbaijani territory it doesn’t give Armenia right to unjustly occupy foreign lands. There are about 600,000 Armenians live here in Los Angeles County and I would really like to see Armenians try to establish an independent Armenian State here in Southern California. Does that make any sense to you. More and more people are learning about the issues relating Armenians everyday and finding out facts that are presented by Armenians actually aren’t the facts at all. I for once always felt for Armenians and always defended and supported their agenda as far as the genocide issue goes, but reading a little about it and doing a few minute researches made me question a few things.
    I refuse to sit here and read Armenian Media bad mouthing the president we loved, supported and elected with difficulties after many years of mismanagement. I hope you would understand and publish my opinions in regards to this… Thank you!!!

  29. Dear Jason, 
    Many of your grammatical errors are similar to those made by Turks and Turkish Americans. If you are not a member of one of these two groups and don’t want to be mistaken for one, perhaps you should have someone proof read your comments. 

    And, if you “refuse to sit here and read Armenian Media….” all the better. No one is waiting to read your nonsense anyway.

  30. Finally a decent comment on this website that is objective. Jason, a Turk or not, definitely gets my congratulations on his brave comment. He might have changed his name to write on this website probably because nobody wants the slight possibility of ever getting harassed by the Armenian diaspora. It is scary to even bring up a remotely controversial topic on the table of such a “subjective” audience. The funny thing is that the only follow up comment that Jason received after his, is the one by an individual who critiques Jason’s grammatical errors (??!!??) thus claiming that he might be a Turk. And what if he is? Who gives a heck? He still makes a lot of sense to me.

  31. Jason’s first out-and-out lie (or exaggeration) has got nothing to do with Armenians: “he is already involved broadly with all the issues relating to peace process worldwide, without taking sides unlike his precedents, including the Palestinian and Israeli issues.”

    The latter part of his rant is so racist that yes — he should be glad it was actually allowed to be published here (and I think I know why).

    Jason, please continue your “few minute researches,” and report back A.S.A.P.! We would love to hear what you have learned!

  32. Yes, Jason did make some grammatical errors which makes me think he is not a native speaker of English.  They are not glaringly obvious, but they are there nonetheless. 

    I am an Armenian who voted for Obama, and I felt like my concerns got thrown in the trash.

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