JOHN KERRY'S RIVALS COUNT ON VOTES OF ARMENIANS
Candidates from Democratic Party try to please the Armenian voters.
Though there are already evident leaders in the pre-election campaign, the Armenian organizations of America continue to work with electoral headquarters of all the main candidatures from Democratic Party. Almost all the candidates try to please the Armenians. Wesley Clark, John Edwards, Hoe Liebermann and Howard Dean hope that the support of the Armenian community may help them in their rivalry with John Kerry.
Recently Howard Dean made an interesting statement. In a letter addressed to the Armenian National Committee of America, he promised that in case of his election he would officially recognize the fact of the Genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey. Dean accuses George Bush who during the election campaign promised to recognize the genocide but did not keep his word. The Presidential candidate assures that he will fight for its recognition ''despite the fact that modern Turkey is a very important ally of the United States.''
The former commander of the NATO forces in Europe retired General Wesley Clark also promises to recognize the genocide. ''The events of 1915 undoubtedly were genocide'' he wrote in a letter addressed to his Armenian electors. Influential political and public figures urge to vote in his favor.
Orthodox Jew, Joseph Lieberman reminds his Armenian electors that he had several times participated in pro-Armenian initiatives in the congress. Really, last year he signed a letter addressed to the President urging him to use the word ''genocide'' in his traditional April 24 message. However, the Armenians remember that Lieberman did not support the idea to accept in the congress a resolution condemning the genocide. Besides, the Armenian community is not sure that the Jewish lobby which assists Lieberman will allow him to do radical undertakings towards Turkey.
If we believe Turkish newspapers, Senator from North Carolina John Edwards also cherishes kindly feelings for Armenians. Once he has supported the ''Armenian resolution'' but it was before the White House frustrated its discussion. Recently he was rather indifferent to the issues concerning the interests of Armenian community.
So, it is evident that all the main candidates count on the votes of Armenians. But at present John Kerry is the most attractive candidate for the leaders of the Armenian community. Not because they trust him very much but only because he has more chances to become the official candidate from the Democratic Party.
The former commander of the NATO forces in Europe retired General Wesley Clark also promises to recognize the genocide. ''The events of 1915 undoubtedly were genocide'' he wrote in a letter addressed to his Armenian electors. Influential political and public figures urge to vote in his favor.
Orthodox Jew, Joseph Lieberman reminds his Armenian electors that he had several times participated in pro-Armenian initiatives in the congress. Really, last year he signed a letter addressed to the President urging him to use the word ''genocide'' in his traditional April 24 message. However, the Armenians remember that Lieberman did not support the idea to accept in the congress a resolution condemning the genocide. Besides, the Armenian community is not sure that the Jewish lobby which assists Lieberman will allow him to do radical undertakings towards Turkey.
If we believe Turkish newspapers, Senator from North Carolina John Edwards also cherishes kindly feelings for Armenians. Once he has supported the ''Armenian resolution'' but it was before the White House frustrated its discussion. Recently he was rather indifferent to the issues concerning the interests of Armenian community.
So, it is evident that all the main candidates count on the votes of Armenians. But at present John Kerry is the most attractive candidate for the leaders of the Armenian community. Not because they trust him very much but only because he has more chances to become the official candidate from the Democratic Party.
