Obama's address to US Armenians lowers trust towards America

PanARMENIAN.Net - With heightened expectations of normalized relations between Turkey and Armenia, President Barack Obama had an opportunity to chart a new course in his April 24th statement commemorating the Armenian Genocide, but failed to deliver on the change he promised, the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) reported to PanARMENIAN.Net



"Today's statement does not reflect the change the President promised," stated AAA Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "His failure to affirm the proud chapter in U.S. history, the American response to the first genocide of the 20th century, has needlessly delayed the cause of genocide affirmation and diminishes U.S. credibility with regard to genocide prevention," added Ardouny.



In January 2008, then-Senator Obama stated: "As President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide." In October 2008, President Obama reiterated his views, "I believe that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence."



"Empty promises are no change at all. Today, as we reflect on the importance of genocide education, affirmation and prevention, we must redouble our efforts to ensure that the words 'never again' have true meaning - starting with the adoption of H. Res. 252 in the U.S. House of Representatives," concluded Ardouny.