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McCain refuses to pledge recognition of 'Armenian genocide'
U.S. Armenians have failed to win a pledge from Sen. John McCain, the Republican frontrunner in the race for the U.S. presidency, to recognize World War I-era killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as "genocide," after winning such promises from Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In a weekend letter to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the largest and most radical U.S. Armenian group, McCain qualified the Armenian deaths as a "tragedy," falling well short of Armenian demands that the killings be branded as genocide."It is fair to say that this tragedy, the brutal murder of as many as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, has also been one of the most neglected," McCain said in his letter, according to an ANCA statement."The suffering endured by the Armenian people during that period represented the prologue to what has come to be known as humanity's bloodiest century," he said.McCain's remarks echoed President George W. Bush's statements on each April 24 in recent years, the day of commemoration of Armenian deaths. Armenians have strongly criticized Bush for what they see as the weakness of his statements and for opposing congressional efforts for genocide recognition.In his long career in the Senate, McCain has also consistently refused to back Armenian genocide resolutions.
Other Republican Romney:
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, McCain's main rival in "Super Tuesday" primaries and caucuses in more than 20 states today, so far has not responded to ANCA's request to comment on last century's Armenian killings."To date, the Romney for president campaign has not issued any statement on issues of concern to the Armenian American community," ANCA said. It said Romney's campaign had only shared copies of proclamations he had made during his tenure as Massachusetts governor. "While the first three statements during his four years in office properly described the Armenian Genocide as genocide, his fourth and final statement refrained from using the accurate terminology," ANCA said.Failing to win backing for its cause, ANCA so far has declined to endorse any Republican candidate. The Republican candidates' positions were in sharp contrast with remarks made by Obama and Clinton.
Obama to benefit from Armenian vote:
Both presidential hopefuls have pledged to "recognize the Armenian genocide as president." They also voiced backing for the passage of two genocide resolutions pending in Congress. Still, ANCA announced last week that it was supporting Obama in the race against Clinton. The Armenian Public Affairs Committee, or Armenpac, has announced its endorsement for Clinton, but its influence is much less than that of ANCA.In nation-wide polls, McCain was well ahead of Romney just on the eve of Super Tuesday, while Clinton and Obama were tied.The Republican Party is holding primaries and caucuses in 21 states today. A total of 22 states and American Samoa will simultaneously see Democratic primaries and caucuses.
Other Republican Romney:
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, McCain's main rival in "Super Tuesday" primaries and caucuses in more than 20 states today, so far has not responded to ANCA's request to comment on last century's Armenian killings."To date, the Romney for president campaign has not issued any statement on issues of concern to the Armenian American community," ANCA said. It said Romney's campaign had only shared copies of proclamations he had made during his tenure as Massachusetts governor. "While the first three statements during his four years in office properly described the Armenian Genocide as genocide, his fourth and final statement refrained from using the accurate terminology," ANCA said.Failing to win backing for its cause, ANCA so far has declined to endorse any Republican candidate. The Republican candidates' positions were in sharp contrast with remarks made by Obama and Clinton.
Obama to benefit from Armenian vote:
Both presidential hopefuls have pledged to "recognize the Armenian genocide as president." They also voiced backing for the passage of two genocide resolutions pending in Congress. Still, ANCA announced last week that it was supporting Obama in the race against Clinton. The Armenian Public Affairs Committee, or Armenpac, has announced its endorsement for Clinton, but its influence is much less than that of ANCA.In nation-wide polls, McCain was well ahead of Romney just on the eve of Super Tuesday, while Clinton and Obama were tied.The Republican Party is holding primaries and caucuses in 21 states today. A total of 22 states and American Samoa will simultaneously see Democratic primaries and caucuses.
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