Each time the presidential elections of the United States of America
make the Armenians living there to refresh their memory of their ethnic
belonging and it emphasizes the role and importance that Armenians have
in the country. They have to get the best out of the candidate-whether
he be republican or a democrat. This is natural and I think that the
rest of the ethnic minorities are following in the same way.
The United States of America is the strongest country in the world
today and many nations would dream of having the opportunity to make an
impact on the election of the president of that country. Armenians have
that opportunity. Each candidate tries to make himself favorable to the
Armenian public during the campaigns by bringing up the issue of
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Forgive me for my expression, but
every year the Armenians eat that up knowing well beforehand that when
one of the candidates becomes president he will just make a long speech
on April 24 and let the Geoncide be genocide.
In the 2000 elections, Armenian Americans were in favor of Republican
president George Bush and not Democrat Al Gore. The reason for this was
that: “The Armenian people have suffered from genocide (this was part
of his genocidal campaign). If I get elected as president, I will do
everything I can so that our country recognizes the tragedies that the
Armenian people have gone through.” The Armenian Americans are waiting
for the fulfillment of that promise four years already and are finally
disappointed. This year on April 24, George Bush says everything
besides using the word “genocide” which is the most important.
The Armenian Americans have a right to be disappointed, taking into
consideration the fact that the U.S. president has not used that word
for four years and then has not reason for saying it in the next four
years. The Armenian Americans say that they notice how Bush is spinning
the Armenian Genocide on the tip of his finger due to its
implementation of strategic plans with Turkey. The Armenians see that
and understand that all of that is being done not in favor of
re-establishing the national dignity of Armenians.
This year the presidential candidacy got transferred to Democratic
candidate John Kerry. During his speech about April 24, he called on
all nations of the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide. He stated
that the only way of preventing genocide or other tragedies during that
dark period in time is to respect the innocent people who were martyred
in the genocide. Kerry also said that he was in agreement with the
other 22 senators that have called on George Bush to call the massive
killings “genocide” during his once a year speech on April 24. Then
Kerry added that every time he sees an Armenian he remembers the
Genocide and he gets heartfelt.
If Kerry gets elected as president, which is highly doubtful, he will
once again delay the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. For him, the
priority will be the security and military interests of the U.S.
If the presidential candidates of the U.S. are rousing interest in the
Armenian community of America, there is no doubt that the community has
a great influence. The candidates always promise, but each time the
Armenians get disappointed and realize that the there will never be a
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In that case, why don’t they
change the demand? Perhaps there is another issue which might be close
to reality.
Perhaps they can make demands which will be of some real support to
Armenia. For example, the solution to the Karabagh issue in the context
of human rights, the elimination of blockade without any conditions,
increase in aid to Armenia and many other issues. They can also make
requests other demands referring to education, culture, politics, etc.
which are important for the Armenian community.
During the course of years and decades, the U.S. presidential elections
have turned into a game with its entrances and exits which apparently
does not favor any side. Kerry makes the promise, Armenian Americans
fall for it and vote for him. Kerry loses by the votes of Armenians and
Armenians also lose. Bush wins the elections and declares that he has
not promised anything for the re-election. If Kerry wins by receiving
the votes of Armenians, Armenian Americans lose again because on April
24 he will also not use the word “genocide” in his speech.
Why don’t the strategic interests correspond with ours? There is a
simple answer to this question. We are not a major factor for Americans
in the country; our interest is instilled in the interest of Russia. We
are not strong enough to threaten the American economy or do other
things which can cause interest in Armenia for the presidents.
Does the American citizen or our Armenian compatriot who has the right
to vote not understand all of this? Could it be that the ongoing
disappointments are not reminding them that it is time to solve the
issues of our small nation, that it is time to open the doors and
windows of our homeland so that Armenia can breathe the same air that
the rest of the world breathes.
Don’t the American citizens and our compatriots understand this? Of
course they do, but living in the U.S. and having the right to vot is
not enough. It is necessary not to lose the meaning of life, even
through disappointments.
The best step taken by the U.S. presidents in preserving the Armenian
nation is to make a promise and not keep it. Can you imagine what will
happen if all nations of the world hear John Kerry call on them to
recognize the genocide and then do it? I don’t imagine that either.