WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has again called upon President Obama to meet with the broad-based leadership of the Armenian American community, noting that his failure, over the past three and a half years, to consult personally with representatives of his Armenian American constituents – major stakeholders in U.S. foreign policy on Armenian issues – is unhealthy for both American democracy and U.S. diplomacy.
To date, despite his January 2008 campaign promise of “active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community,” the President has failed to hold a single meeting with the community’s leadership.
The complete text of the ANCA letter signed by Chairman Ken Hachikian is provided below.
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to ask you, in the spirit of your campaign pledge to actively engage with Armenian American leaders, to invite the broad-based leadership of our community to a meeting with you to discuss your Administration’s policies on Armenian issues.
As you know, the ANCA has, since the first months of your tenure, regularly, publicly, and formally requested opportunities such as this for you to communicate personally with Armenian American leaders. Such a meeting, which, sadly, has yet to take place, would provide a much-needed platform for an open exchange of views, allowing you to hear directly about our concerns and disappointments as well as our expectations and our hopes for the future. The absence of a direct dialogue between you and your Armenian American constituents is unhealthy both for our democracy as well as for our diplomacy.
Mr. President, given the attention that your Administration has devoted to Armenian issues, and the time that you have personally devoted to meeting with other stakeholders – including foreign officials and domestic groups openly hostile to our community’s views and values – we remain hopeful that you will choose not to end your term in office without having held even a single official meeting with Armenian American leaders.
Please accept our appreciation for your consideration of this, our most recent request for a personal meeting with the broad-based leadership of the Armenian American community.
Sincerely,
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman
Can some one explain to me why we have waited so long to write such a letter . If there were topics to discuss with the President, should not we have taken steps to bring about suh a meeting?
Very simple, don’t vote for him. The only way to pass the message to the democrats. Its enough ! Make sure that he knows that the Armenian community is not going to vote for him. I was also one of those people that thought that he was going to do great things but Oh Well… (I am Canadian by the way)
Too late,Jose,the damage has been done,by the double-talker,and his cohort hiliary elephantitus clinton, both stooges for turkey.
MR. Kenneth Hachikian i am wondering where was Armenian national Committee past four years
we just weak up after four years and we are asking Obama a meeting or this is a just one step to make
a excuse to endorse Obama again how about meeting with Romney
i know he is a Republican and we like Obama we like Democrat it is OK.If they stab us past four years
Sincerely
Ohannes
Are you ever going to learn a lessen from the history? How many times these democrats have to fool you? I’m sick and tired of mistakes of Armenian leaders.
Don’t hold your breath….he used us liek a tissue.
Why would we even want to talk to him???
So he can make us a promise he will turn around and break???
Wake up people!
Yes, i agree, don’t vote for Obama. Calling for a meeting with
this con artist now is an exercise in futility. Also, elephantitus Clinton
Is an accurate description. Very funny.
As one who worked tirelessly as a volunteer for Obama in 2008 and contributed generously to his campaign in 2008, I urge all Armenian-American Democrats and independents to vote for Dr. Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, for President in 2012. That is a message that will resonate with Obama. I am sure that almost all Republican Armenian-Americans will vote for Romney despite his weak support for the Armenian Cause. The Obama administration has not only reneged on his promise, but has created problems for diaspora Armenians and all other Christians in the greater Middle East by supporting regime change to fundamentalist Islamic administrations. Armenians are being killed and maimed. Christians in Egypt are being literally crucified.