Genocide important but not key issue for Armenian community of U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net - The current election campaign in the U.S. is the most tensed, said Arpi Vatranian, Armenian Assembly of America regional director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.



"It's conditioned by the financial crisis and economic recession accompanied by considerable cut of health care and social assistance. Presently, Republicans are backed by 55 million of Americans. Democrats enjoy support of 72 million. This is a rough calculation and it's hard to foretell the outcome of the election even despite Obama's convincing victory in the debates," she said.



"The Armenian voters have the same concerns as the rest of Americans. Of course, they attach importance to recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which is not, however, the key issue for the community."



"As to McCain, he is the first presidential candidate during the past 20 years, who openly speaks against recognition of Genocide, sounding the position of the White House. Nevertheless, I should mention that neither of Republican presidential candidates, starting from Ronal Reagan, publicly denied the Armenian Genocide," Ms. Vartanian said.