BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
Which Joe Biden?
That’s a fair question. It’s one that is likely being asked by Armenian American voters in key primary states, from California to Massachusetts.
There’s the Joe Biden who strongly fought denial of the Armenian Genocide as a U.S. Senator.
Then, there’s the Joe Biden who was part of an Obama/Biden Administration, that came into office having promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide. But which, once in office, doubled down on U.S. complicity in Turkey’s obstruction of justice for this crime.
That’s a 180 seldom seen in American politics.
It’s not some innocent tale about two policy novices, in over their head, making naive and unrealistic political promises.
Not at all.
This was a political move by two well-informed, fully-briefed veterans of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee—Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Their public records on this issue are far too extensive (and well documented) for them to plead ignorance as an excuse.
They knew what they were doing.
Having gotten what they wanted—in the form of votes and support during the 2008 election—they not only turned their back on their pledge, they went all-in for Turkey’s denialist campaign in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they tossed those they promised under the bus. No meetings. No explanations. Certainly no apology.
Instead, Armenian Americans got:
- Obama/Biden breaking their explicitly stated and repeated campaign pledges to properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
- Obama/Biden actively backing the Turkey-Armenia Protocols and calling for a “historical commission” to examine a known genocide as a disputed set of competing claims.
- Obama/Biden opposing passage of a U.S. House resolution, H.Res.252, commemorating the Armenian Genocide during its consideration by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Obama/Biden describing the Armenian Genocide a matter for “historical debate, through an on-the-record statement by their Secretary of State.
- Obama/Biden filing an official brief opposing Supreme Court consideration of a case allowing descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors to pursue insurance claims.
Seven years into their time in office—with Turkey having made a mockery of the Protocols and the eyes of the world upon the Administration during the Armenian Genocide Centennial in April of 2015—they had a chance to get it right.
But, they doubled down again.
No hope. No change. Just denial.
So, the question remains: Which Joe Biden?
He had two years to tell us what he thinks.
Now, it’s our chance to show him where we stand.
DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IDIOT!!!!!! DO NOT BE SUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IDIOT AND EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT WILL MAKE PROMISES THEY DON’T KEEP!
Finally a wise assasment !!!
Thank you Asbarez and mr. Khachatourian
Biden /Obama / Hillary Clinton gang deceived, lied and played the American Armenian community the most shameful and disgraceful way possible!!!
I’m voting Trump! With all his shortcomings, he did not promised anything or lied to us !
Sorry I voted for Obama twice!
Absolutely right! He’s not getting my vote for sure!
Armenians should blame themselves for believing that promises made by politicians during election campaigns to recognize the Armenian genocide will be kept. No American administration will recognize the Armenian genocide as long as Turkey is a NATO member and the U.S. continues to occupy its base at Injirlik. The State Department would never allow that. We Armenians should stop being so naive. We are being fooled by politicians who give lip service to recognition of the Armenian genocide, knowing full well that it will not happen.
You just wait and see the Turks shooting themselves in the foot, or another jet, or kicking us out of Injirlik. Then what?
@Vahe Nalbandian, I agree with you, maybe it will be better to get other concessions that can serve the Armenian community and meanwhile wait for Geostrategy changes, when the time is ripe Armenians want it or not the American government will recognize the Genocide
Very well said … Lawers are Liars…WE should not trust any of them …
We had many lessons, not one … Obama lied 9 times… I published my poetry book praising him … I do-not regret … because my poetry book entered the Congres Library … But later I blamed him for his lies…with many honest poems…
O, thank you, it’s clearly a natural political betrayal, usual, until the traitors betray each other … Turkey – US – NATO. To follow.
… we clearly need an Armenian president for the USA, anyone up to it?
Excellent article ,factual and to the point , it’s time for Armenians to be smart and not be used by any politician seeking easy votes
Should any Armenian really be surprised by Obama’s/Biden’s reversal? How many politicians have made the same promises only to turn 180 when entering office? If Adam Schiff was elected President, do you really think he would recognize the Genocide as such? No, even Schiff wouldn’t….because there are powers behind the scenes that will prevent it. So let’s stop fooling ourselves and lobby for real benefits politicians can deliver in exchange for our votes.
Don’t be fooled by so called politicians or rely on other nations the only salvation for Armenia is it’s own military.
Please note that Brian J. Roberts, CEO of Comcast, is a big supporter of Joe Biden, trough his top staffperson. Comcast divisions, Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango, worked hand-in-hand with each other and the Turkish and Azeri lobbies to sink Kirk Kerkorianʻs multi-million dollar Armenian Genocide movie “The Promise.” Although Joe has been a supporter in the past, he will follow the money as President. As a progressive, I canʻt support Trump, but Elizabeth Warren is a better bet for us than Biden. Bernie will not be the Democratic nominee, I am sure of that.
It would be nice to see the US government supporting the Genocide resolution, however, it would be CATASTROPHIC for Armenia.
Let us, hypothetically assume that the US government admitted the Armenian Genocide, the following would happen. Turkey will leave NATO, approach Russia and make a military and economic alliance, thus diminishing Russias influence in Armenia, and making Armenia an orphan stuck between superpowers with nowhere to get help. And if you erroneously thought that NATO will intervene militarily to support Armenia in a military crisis, think again, they will Not.
So, in my opinion, the Armenian Genocide resolution is a double-edged sword, and we still have No viable response if that day arrives.
An Israeli friend of mine, who has served in the Israeli air force, and who is a fervent friend of Armenia and Armenians, suggested that we acquire advanced combat aircraft. Our air force is a total joke, gas guzzling old Su-25s, and a few attack helicopters. According to this air force pilot, Armenia needs at least 100+ advanced attack fighter jets. He reminded me that in a war, Azerbaijan can unleash 1000s of drones which may cripple our air defenses and make our soldiers sitting ducks for the enemy’s air force to decimate.
God bless our small Armenia.
Let us all forgive each other and united we Can stop our enemies on all sides.
Armenia is de-facto Russian territory. Russia will not allow Turkey to invade Armenia or attack the territory of the Republic of Armenia under any circumstances. Putin has made a deal with Turkey to get access for Russian naval vessels into the Mediterranean to sell its products to Turkey, but he considers Armenia to be part of the Russian sphere of influence. Are not Russian soldiers guarding the Armenian border with Turkey?
Armenians should rely on themselves and militarize stop relying on others that’s foolish diplomacy .I’m sick and tired
of Armenians crying and begging mercy from so and so politician you should know better even Khrimian Hairig said Might is right
do not give them the chance of disappointing all of us again
These people R money lovers not truth
Although Kamala Harris, a very strong candidate, has been a supporter of Armenian issues in elected California offices, her husband Douglas Emhoff, though noted as congenial, is a partner in the law firm DLA Piper. That is a red flag.
Now I find that Berge Setrakian, head of the AGBU is also an attorney for DLA Piper. Is DLA Piper still a threat to the Armenian community? We all remember how Dick Gephardt and his firm DLA Piper worked so hard to kill the Armenian Genocide Resolution in Congress 12 years ago. What can we expect from Douglas Emhoff? Will Kamala Harris still support the Armenian Cause as President? We all know what happened with Obama as Erdoganʻs best friend.