WASHINGTON—ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian released the following statement regarding the 2012 U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections.
“We congratulate President Obama on his victory, commend Governor Romney for a well-run campaign, and thank Armenian American voters who went to the polls today in record numbers to support federal, state, and local candidates who support issues of special concern to our community. We look forward to getting to work right away in engaging with the Obama Administration and the incoming Congress to make progress on the full range of the Armenian American community’s public policy priorities.
“We were greatly gratified to see such a large percentage of our Congressional endorsees win their races, including powerful advocates such as Senator Bob Menendez, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Representatives Adam Schiff, Ed Royce, Frank Pallone, and many others.
The ANCA endorsed over 140 Congressional candidates from over 30 states across the U.S. Complete results regarding these key races, along with a host of state and local elections are forthcoming.
I’m really happy with Obama’s re-election.
Congratulations Mr Obama and god bless America!
I hope ANCA and Mr. Ken Hachikian learned their lesson. I am still fuming at their unwillingness/inability to engage the Obama administration in a menaningful dialogue instead of harping on the negative. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that political promises are not kept by politicians. But then you negotiate, and you reach a compromise that is more or less OK until the next time. By harping constantly on Obama’s “failure” to recognize the Armenian Genocide ANCA managed to blow up the birdges rather than acknowledging that of all the recent presidenst Obama was the only one who in front of the Turkish Grand Assembly spoke of his “personal” convictions about the Armenian Genocide while letting everybody know that as a state business he had to manage the situation, no matter how awful this realization was. For God’s sake did not AMCA and Ken Hatchikian see this?
Can you name one other President who said “if elected I will recognize the AG”?
When you very well know, as a future statesman, that you will not be able to fulfill your promise, then do not desecrate the memory of our 1.5 million killed with purely electoral motives, and pursue policies of deceit by announcing a shameful road map on the eve of the first April 24th as President. Granted, politicians often break promises on i.e. local social issues etc., but please leave genocide absolutely out of your campaign financing objectives and votes.
Dear Sarkis:
We can not, as Armenians of today’s world, act deaf, blind and emotional at the same time! Politics being what it is we have to do with was is possible and achieveable through the means and levers we have at our disposal patiently working towards broader objectives. The day we can hold the commeration of the Armenian Genocide in the rotunda of the Capitole in Washington D.C. the same way the Shoah is commemorated here with the President of the United States attending along with US Senators and Congressman, then you can scream for joy! In the meantime do something that brings us closer to working together , bearing in mind that the public opinion of the United States count and that at this moment besides some academics, politicians (both republican and democrats) VERY FEW people understand what the Armenian Genocide was and what they should do to support its acceptance by the United States government. It is unfortunate that most of the Armenians I know across this nation are apt to make senseless speeches as if their noise making is sufficient to stir the masses!!!
Hamasdegh in Washington DC
Dear Hamasdegh,
You will have to hold your breath for an extremely long time, if you want to count on the American public opinion. Right now the man on the street believes that his world extends roughly from sea to shining sea. As for us Armenians, we are quasi absent from the written media and the electronic media because the same dark forces who work against in the Congress and the Senate keep us out. We urgently need a war room-like central committee to react to news events promptly. We need much more documentaries and launching of books on TV talk shows. For now, we have to remain united and continue to work with Congressmen and Senators who believe in acting on principles and not just interests.
Congratulation Mr. President ! The overwhelming majority of American Armenians
supported your election. Now the time has come to finally recognize the Genocide. This step could have an important positive influence on the Turkish government, too.
Sir, How come ANCA is very happy with this election?Mr.Obama is more pro to Turkey and he like this so called new Islamic democracy,we are cheating our selfs then befor,like we could not give total Armenian voter to Greg Krekorian that is very ????,I ask one Armenian did you vote for Greg,he told me he is Repablican???
Here we’re back to table to resume talks.
Believe it or not, Armenian community in the US and Armenia in general are better off with Obama administration than Romney administration.
Let’s tighten skrews on essentials.
I agree with you but he is under pressure…!!!
He knows the East better than any one else…!
SP
Here is one way that the Obama administration would deal with the ANCA whether they like it or not: Armenia scraps the protocols immediately and tells the Obama administration that it was a request by the ANCA, and any questions they have they should discuss it with the ANCA.
But are we that unified and organized? Unfortunately, no. On the other hand, had the government of Armenia been under the control of those who did not act contrary to diaspora objectives, this would have been a likely outcome.
What Armenia needs is a similar revolution like the ‘rose revolution’ of Gerogia, we don’t have time for pseudo-politicians playing games with the future of Armenians everywhere. Since poverty, hunger, unemployment, etc has not improved on any meaningful level, the pseudo-government of Armenia has no excuse claiming that it needs to take care of Armenians in Armenia, before the diaspora. In fact, had everything been open to the diaspora from day one, Armenia wouldn’t have lost half its population, nor been in the state that it’s currently in.
Armenian people are much smarter than that.
“Diaspora” can’t even walk and chew gum on its own turf and you want it to run a foreign country?
YOU were paying with YOUR taxes for Turkey to blockade Armenia for 20 years and now you are blaming Armenia for population loss? Very convenient! Keep denying reality – this is a very helpful skill for a citizen of a bankrupt country.
““Diaspora” can’t even walk and chew gum on its own turf and you want it to run a foreign country?”
And what may I ask is a better choice? The mafia ex-kgb crooks? Or maybe those ignorant villagers who run to Turkey, while “the border is closed”?
You claim diaspora can’t chew gum on its own turf, yet expect them to influence US foreign policy because “we are paying taxes”? So which is it?
Blaming the diaspora for Armenia’s population decline… what will you people think of next? I’m advocating the need for one voice and unity, while you advocate ignorance, because you can’t advocate disunity – it’s already in place. In which book is it written that the diaspora needs to serve the country one way and not the other way around? You expect the diaspora to pack up and leave for a country full of crooks and risk everything they have? For the past 20 years we have been hearing about how everyone goes to Armenia, gets robbed, and sent back naked.
Maybe you or someone can explain to me what would have happened 20 years ago, had those “real Armenians” who formed their kgb mafia government for self-gain, instead hadn’t placed their realness under question, and openly invited any and all Armenians to come back to the homeland, immediately gain citizenship, freely practice their businesses, investments, etc?
If you can’t place the self-declared government under scrutiny, then you have no room for improvement. Here is a summary of the Armenian government of the past 20 years: Worst to Bad to Worse.
Giligiatsi,
I see you mean well and maybe we are talking about the same solution. I don’t think we should continue the blame game here. I suggest you look beyond these ideological labels like “kgb” and “mafia” portrayed by the media controlled by others who do not wish well to Armenia or Diaspora.
The bottom line is that Armenia can survive without Diaspora and Diaspora cannot survive without Armenia. The tragic events in Syria just prove my point.
Soft and sweet assimilation in the US or Russia or harsh pressure in Turkey and now Syria can put an end to the Diaspora faster than we can imagine.
At the same time, Armenia’s development is slowed by the blockade, corruption, environmental issues, etc.
One way to address this that I’m advocating for is some sort of “population exchange” where Hyestantsi get some respite care by way of organized emigration and Diaspora Armenians fill in the niche and move to Artsakh and Armenia establishing communities based on their “donor” country lifestyles and standards.
We already have the outflow of Armenians who cannot survive in this small blockaded country with the skills and mentality they inherited from the Soviet times. Let them emigrate in organized way and HELP them to rebuild their lives in new countries. Maybe their children will return…
At the same time help young patriotic Diaspora Armenians to move to communities that they can adjust to. Each major diaspora is capable of recreating a town in Armenia and Artsakh to mirror its social structure and living standards. Let people move to a familiar environment and just hope that their children and the local children become a new generation of ONE Armenian nation.
Voskanapat,
I fully agree with you, I know that I was being harsh using words like kgb, but its all out of frustration… because I always feel things don’t need to be the way it is. The thing I want the most is that we all have one voice against all the people we deal with. We can have our own opinions and differences among ourselves, but when it comes to confronting non-Armenians I just wish we have one position always. This is how our adversaries get ahead when they divide us. Armenia should respect the diaspora’s insights, concerns, objectives etc when taking steps, and the same for diaspora, we should never act in a way to be contrary to one another.
Armenians wait and see ! After being elected for the first time a US President can
not do, what everyone expects from him, as he cares for reelection. As no President can be elected for the third time a President can risk much more during the second period as President !
I am sure he will now do more on social fields and its also possible that he will treat Turks stronger in the coming years. We´ll see !
I voted for Obama and i hope that he shell do everything to open turkey and armenian border.