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Armenian Americans disappointed in Barack Obamaâ€™s statement

25 April 2009 09:20 (UTC +04:00)

Washington â€“ APA. â€œUS President Barack Obamaâ€™s April 24 statement is his second lost opportunity to affirm the Armenian Genocide. On the first occasion, his visit to the Republic of Turkey, the President stated that his view on the Armenian Genocide was well known and remained unchanged, yet he chose not to utter the word â€œgenocideâ€,â€ Ross Vartian, Executive Director US-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC) stated, APA reports quoting Panarmenian.

"Today’s statement does not reflect the change the Barack Obama promised," stated Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Bryan Ardouny.
â€œHis failure to affirm the proud chapter in U.S. history, the American response to the first genocide of the 20th century, has needlessly delayed the cause of genocide affirmation and diminishes U.S. credibility with regard to genocide prevention,â€ added Ardouny.

â€œI join with all Armenian Americans in voicing our sharp disappointment with President Obamaâ€™s failure to honor his solemn pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide,â€ said Chairman of Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Ken Hachikian.
â€œIn falling short of his repeated and crystal clear promises, which reflected a thorough knowledge of the facts, the practical implications, and the profound moral dimension of Armenian Genocide recognition, the President chose, as a matter of policy, to allow our nationâ€™s stand against genocide to remain a hostage to Turkey’s threats. We urge the President to act quickly to correct his Administrationâ€™s stand on the Armenian Genocide and work publicly toward the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution before Congress,â€ concluded Hachikian.