WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama issued a letter Wednesday congratulating Armenia on the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence. The Armenian National Committee of America called the letter “largely generic” with key omission about Armenia’s current realities.
“On behalf of the United States, I congratulate you and the people of Armenia as you celebrate 25 years of independence this September 21,” said Obama in his letter.
“The United States has been a steadfast partner of Armenia from the first days of its independence. We remain committed to the promise of those early years, when Armenians proudly raised their tricolor flag for the first time since 1920. Today, we again affirm our belief that a secure, prosperous, and democratic Armenia is essential for the security for the Armenian people and for the region more broadly,” added Obama.
“We thank Armenia for its support of our shared goals, particularly its response to the Syrian refugee crisis and its contributions to global peacekeeping operations and nuclear security. We will continue to work together to help Armenia realize its full potential. I wish you and the people of Armenia all the best as you celebrate 25 years of independence,” concluded Obama’s letter.
“The letter is also notable for what it leaves out, namely any mention of the Armenian Genocide, the issue that the President so very prominently used to secure Armenian American votes in 2008, but that he quickly abandoned once elected,” the ANCA response posted on its social media sites said.
“It also does not reference the President’s signature Armenian initiative in office, the Turkish-Armenian Protocols. Looking back, it’s clear that the President, having secured Armenia’s backing for these recklessly flawed (and now demonstrably failed) accords in the first months of his first term, never held Ankara to account for walking away from its agreement to end its illegal blockade of Armenia,” added the ANCA response.
“Also, no mention of Artsakh, which, in the context of Azerbaijan’s April offensive, represents a missed opportunity to challenge Baku’s aggression and press the case for peace. This silence sends a dangerous signal to the Aliyev regime,” said the ANCA.
And what about the historically incorrect reference to the tricolor not being flown since 1920, when it should have bee 1921!
A “largely generic” letter from a “largely generic” president. Imagine my naiveté when I expected that “Yes We Can” actually meant something. Forgive me for thinking that an intelligent professor of constitutional law, a former social worker, and a friend of Armenian Genocide recognition, would be different. Today, years later, I would squeeze out a solitary tear, if my tear ducts weren’t dried up.
Behold the upcoming spectacle of President Obama denying the wishes of the 9/11 families, and of the majority of legislators, out of regard for Saudi Arabia. Regard for the sensitivities of certain foreign countries is part of the generic pattern of U.S. diplomacy, too. No change there. “No We Can’t,” would have been a more accurate slogan, in retrospect, though less appealing to American voters at the time.
I wonder what’s next for President Obama? Will he surprise us some more? What does the crystal ball show for him and for the jester Susan Rice? Will we hear that she is going to lobby for Turkey? Perhaps Azerbaijan can find money to “retain” her. Perhaps both of them can set up a company to sell their influence, or join Dick Gephardt’s group.
Generically, that’s what the future looks like for most influential politicians these days.
Vay, vay!
Let this be a lesson to all the naïvetés out there.There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Israel just secured a 10 year 38 billion dollar deal with the US. This coming even after accusations of Obama being the most anti-Israel president in history. It only proves that favors are not given out of pity or justice, instead they are earned through political and economical savviness. Our continued whining and fretting will only lead us to further disappointment and isolation.
I am Disappointed from ANCA’s expectation from Obama. It’s almost eight years Obama is president, do we really expect anything from him or from his admiration?
Obama is a lost case, if he’s bad for America, how can he be good to Armenia.
Yes, succinct and well said; but what will it take to wake the Armenian Diaspora up, most of whom continue to kiss you-know-what?
Perhaps Obama doesn’t like to mention the Armenian genocide because he know how hypocritical it would make us Americans look considering no one wants to talk about the genocide our fore fathers committed against the American Indian.