Sassounian: Better to Support Armenian Activists than Criticize Azeri, Turkish Lobbying
For years, many critical books and articles have been written about foreign countries and domestic groups for hiring lobbying firms or making campaign contributions to influence government officials.
One such article was published last week by L. Michael Hager in the Foreign Policy Journal titled, “The Best Congress AIPAC Can Buy.” AIPAC is the acronym for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The author acknowledges that “there is nothing illegal or morally wrong with lobbying Congress or candidates for office. In fact, it can serve a useful purpose in educating members and candidates about matters subject to legislation. The problem comes when the lobbyists use money to secure access or buy support for proposed bills and resolutions.” After that benign introduction, however, Hager concludes that “for the sake of our democracy, the flow of interest group money that is buying off our elected lawmakers must be stopped.”
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Informative and to the point. Two observations.
1- It will be more effective, productive and beneficial if the Armenian National Committee of America and The Armenian Assembly find the right approach and strategy of working together and cooperating with each other. If they work together on an important issue, the impact will be greater and more successful. With the limited resources that they both have, a cooperation between the two will carry much more significance and weight.
2-Do not totally agree with the last para. Admittedly, Turkey and Azerbaijan spend enormous amounts of money to play their dirty tricks, both the ANCA and the Armenian Assembly need funds and continuous supportive cash flow to be able to maintain their offices, support their activities and spend money wisely where deemed necessary to counter the propaganda machines of the Turks and the Azeris. It still costs money.
Vart Adjemian
I did not say Armenian groups do not need money. On the contrary, I said they do not need an exorbitant amount like Turkey and Azerbaijan!!!
Hager reported that the AIPAC conference attracted nearly 400 speakers, including “Vice President Joe Biden and Presidential candidates Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz and John Kasich.”
This gives us all the more reason to vote for Bernie Sanders, the only one who chose not to attend AIPAC and take AIPAC related or any-PAC money, despite the fact that he is Jewish and the only Jewish presidential candidate.
Agree 100% with Mr. Sassounian re ANCA.
They do outstanding advocacy work with skeleton paid staff, and a lot of volunteers.
ANCA’s shutting down numerous attempts by Azerbaijan to buy anti-NKR resolutions throughout US, is one its most valuable contributions to NKR safety and security. Most people don’t realize the danger those resolutions – if passed – represent to NKR.
However, I don’t see what Armenian Assembly of America has done for either RoA, or NKR, or our Cause.
I used to contribute regularly to AAA, but when their president praised (!) Pelosi for derailing the AG vote, that did it.
What kind of a sycophant praises someone for backstabbing Armenian-American voters.
They keep asking for donations, but they won’t get a dime from me: I’d rather send whatever I can to ANCA.
I have also heard some other stuff about AAA: not sure if they are true advocates for our Cause.
So I’ll stick with ANCA.