It is time for Armenian-Americans to adopt a new strategy for raising issues of Pan-Armenian importance.
Sassounian proposes Armenian-Americans to discuss Artsakh independence, border opening issues with candidates
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: This is the opinion of "California Courier" Publisher and Editor Harut Sassounian, which he expressed in an interview with "Armenpress". According to him, for decades the Armenians meet the American Presidential candidates once every four years, asking them to promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide in case they become President. This, however, becomes ineffective in the future. The Presidents forget their promise under pressure and all the work is thrown into water.
"We should not only raise the Armenian Genocide issue. The US Congress passed it a number of times, and the President signed it. We have a lot of issues as Armenian-Americans, and generally as Armenians. We should put our main tasks in front of the candidates, such as the independence of Artsakh, opening the border with Turkey, and our other claims. Why not also raise questions regarding the increasing of American aid to Artsakh and Armenia and appointment of Armenian-Americans to key positions of the country. We need to put forward these issues and see which candidate offers appropriate proposals to our respective interests and see to what extent these promises are credible”, Harut Sassounian noted.
Referring to one of his recent articles, the publicist noted that at this stage of the US presidential elections Armenians should not support a specific candidate, but rather wait for the campaign to intensify.
"We have to wait for the fight to become more intense. When the November elections approach, the candidates’ votes will be closer to each other, and they will be more eager to present proposals to us. If we go to them, we need to ask and beg, and they will give us only a promise and not do anything, but if they see that the Armenian-American votes can have a decisive role in the campaign, it will be in their interest to approach us. There is still enough time, "Harut Sassounian said.
Referring to the fact that the ANCA sent a letter to President Obama requesting the signing the contract excluding the issue of double taxation with Armenia, Harut Sassounian noted that this is a very important issue, because it may attract more US investments in Armenia.
"Armenian-Americans are lobbying in order for the White House and the Congress to make a positive decision in this direction. I am confident that this problem will be solved after the elections, "Harut Sassounian said.
