The ANCA has–on several occasions over the past four years–specifically asked for a meeting between President Bush and the Armenian American community leadership. These formal requests–which never received a response–were supported by a series of ANCA and community-wide letters outlining the views and disappointmen’s of Armenian Americans on specific issues–ranging from the Armenian Genocide to foreign aid policy.
In April of this year–the ANCA sent detailed letters to the Chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign–Marc Racicot–and the Congressional Republican leadership voicing disappointment over the Bush Administration’s record on Armenian issues–and expressing frustration with the lack of responsiveness by the White House to the concerns of the Armenian American community.
The ANCA’s concerns were grouped–in this letter–into three broad categories: unfulfilled commitmen’s– opposition to community concerns–and failure to prioritize Armenian issues.
The Senate and House letters–addressed to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN)–highlighted the powerful leadership demonstrated by a great many Republicans on Armenian issues–notably by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) Genocide Resolution author George Radanovich (R-CA)–and Senators such as Mitch McConnell (R-KY)–John Ensign (R-NV)–George Allen (R-VA)–Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)–and many others. These letters included more than a dozen specific recommendations by the ANCA about how the Congressional leadership could encourage the White House to improve its standing among Armenian American voters.
Neither the President nor his campaign responded to the ANCA’s appeal for their intervention to help establish a constructive dialogue between the Administration and the Armenian American community.
For additional information on the ANCA’s outreach to Republican leaders concerning the Bush Administration’s record on Armenian issues–visit: http://www.anca.org/anca/pressrel.asp?prid=554&pressregion=anca