Letter: Confused about Obama’s Actions

Dear Editor,

Before his election, President Obama established a reputation as one of the most pro-Armenian candidates for the U.S. presidency in recent times. He made a firm pledge that he would recognize the Armenian Genocide and continue to aid Armenia. He also stated that he would stand with the Armenians everywhere with a sense of friendship, solidarity, and deep respect. He displayed a rare ability to reach out to our community, which overwhelmingly and enthusiastically embraced him.

However, I am confused and disturbed about his recent statements and actions reneging on his earlier pledges. Furthermore, to this day President Obama has not offered any high-level administration position to an Armenian-American among the hundreds of appointments made thus far. Are there no capable Armenians to serve this country?

As a firm supporter of President Obama on many issues of concern to our country, I am disappointed by his stand on Armenian issues. The last well-known Armenian-American to serve the administration was Edward Djeredjian. Among his list of credentials was serving as assistant secretary of state on Near East affairs in both the Bush Senior and Clinton administrations, and as ambassador to Syria and Israel.

Regrettably, Obama’s recent decisions vis-a-vis the 1.5 million-strong Armenian American community are bothersome. All we are getting from him at this stage of his presidency are alarming signals that point to his support of the Turkish/Azeri view in negotiations with Turkey and Armenia. In fact, he has alienated very many in our community by failing to hold to his promises. I simply cannot defend his record on Armenian issues to my Republican friends much longer.

Vartkes Sinanian
Montrose, Calif.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

5 Comments

  1. I agree with the opinion stated above. Out of one 1.5 million Armenian-Americans there must be one capable leader to challenge the issues in the next presidential election in 2012? Never vote for either political party, they are both Zionist and pro-Turkish in nature; they always have been and will continue to do so to serve their interests.Signed,Armenian-Canadian from the Great White North.

  2. Ask yourself why the President visited Turkey so early in his administration; reneged on his solemn promise to recognize the 1915 genocide; cut aid to Armenia by 38 % and has Senator Kerry speaking at a Turkish organization. Could it be that this Administration’s solution to the Pakistan/ Iran
    problem is to embrace the creation of a pan-Turkic “empire” similar to that which was envisioned by the Young Turks?

  3. I agree with all of you regarding the US attitude, do not even think to vote for a President as all of them tell you one thing before the election to get your vote and change their mind after being elected, they are not like “us” the Armenians who trust and want others to do the same, they continue to say “our national interest” and avoid “THE TRUTH” about the genocide by giving the ok to the Turkish government for what they did .
    The only way we can do to protect ourselves is to be united and be a strong nation to be able to say NO to other countries that put pressure on us to give away our values and forget the children that were killed because they were Christians, lets not forget their memory ,never,never,never.

  4. Well most Armenian/American’s did it again by their one sided support of Obama!  I for one saw it coming.   Let’s once and for all come truly together as one voice from coast to coast and form an ad/hock committee to make a difference.

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