The Armenian Sentinel

2. Who Will Really Win in November?

It doesn’t matter if it’s Gore or Bush, Armenian-Americans still lose
By Sasha Boghosian

There was premature excitement within most Armenian circles when Republican Presidential hopeful George W. Bush stated in a letter to Michigan community activist Edgar Hagopian and New York businessman Vasken Setrakian that “the Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign.” To those of us that still remember how frustrating his father’s stand on Genocide recognition was, this was a welcomed gesture. The specific use of the word “genocide” combined with the implied promise of recognition were enough to cause many to begin supporting the Texas Governor’s campaign.

Then like a honeymoon ruined by foul weather came the news of who George W. picked as his running mate. Dick Cheney, a former U.S. Representative from Wyoming who served the “Papa” Bush administration as Secretary of Defense consistently opposed Armenian-American issues during his tenure in the House. His terrible voting record shows him voting against the 1985 and 1987 Armenian Genocide Resolutions. And as if that wasn’t enough, as Defense Secretary, Cheney oversaw the transfer of large quantities of arms and military assistance to the Republic of Turkey. After retiring from public life Cheney worked for Halliburton, a company that specializes in oil industry related parts and services and has heavily invested in Azerbaijan.

In appreciation for these efforts and his opposition to Section 907 of the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce gave Cheney its 1997 Freedom Support Award at its annual banquet in Washington, D.C. Given his anti-Armenian voting record and his close relations with pro-Turkish Azeri interest groups it is highly unlikely that once in the White House Cheney will change his tune and push for Genocide Recognition and independence for Karabakh.

But don’t let this fool you into thinking the alternative is better. As a Senator from Tennessee, Al Gore was a supporter of Armenian issues and spoke in support of Armenian Genocide recognition. Once he was tagged as the President’s running mate, Al Gore seemed to forget those passionate speeches he made on the Senate floor. As Vice President, Gore supported the impeding measures of the Clinton Administration which slowed the Karabakh talks down and continue to support the illegal blockade of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Depending on which pole you adhere to Gore is either ahead, or behind George W. by a very narrow margin and his selection of Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) has been seen by many as a boost to his campaign which some believe is beleaguered by the Clinton-Lewinski scandal and accusations of improper fundraising from the White House. Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, provides the moral anchor that the Gore ticket desperately needs. What his selection represents to Armenians however is a different matter. Lieberman supported some important Armenian issues has shown some inconsistency in the past. Most recently during last year’s Section 907 vote, he opposed the McConnel-Abraham amendment which maintained restrictions on Azerbaijan.

In 1988, after only two years in office, Lieberman voted against the Armenian Genocide resolution introduced by Senator Bob Dole (S.J. 212). Since 1992, however, he has made a concerted effort to speak out on the issue of Genocide recognition stating that “We must remember the Armenian Genocide and other abuses of state authority against ethnic minorities.” In addition he voted against cutting assistance to Turkey by over 50% during a 1990 vote.

Lieberman has been supportive of Armenian issues more often than not but his three questionable votes will cause some to raise their eyebrows. When Armenian-Americans go the polls this November (as everyone should), we will be faced with two sub-standard choices for President and Vice President. Do you vote for the son of the same President that reneged on his promise to the Armenian community and picked what could possibly be the most blatantly anti-Armenian Vice Presidential candidate in the last 12 years? Or do you vote for the current Vice President who has shown no initiative on Armenian issues while in the White House but has selected a running mate who has, on occasion, shown support for Armenian-American issues. The November general election is without a doubt the most important for the future of the United States. Unfortunately it is a tossup between two tickets that are mediocre at best (and downright uncooperative and dangerous at worst) on Armenian issues. The Armenian American community should demand a higher standard in the voting records of ALL candidates before it casts its vote for either ticket.

*** Boghosian is a graduate of USC in International Relations and is a Public Affairs Consultant in a Los Angeles based public relations firm.

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