Just noticed that Armenians for Obama website has been updated with information in English and western Armenian.

As Barack Obama has won the Colorado caucuses in an overwhelming majority, the Denver Post carries a story on a long-time Clinton family friend who has voted for Barack Obama:

8:05 p.m. Pioneer Elementary School, Lafayette, Dems,

After the lobbying for the undeclared delegates is over, 30-year-old Ari Gerzon of Lafayette moved to the Obama side of the room. He said, “In the end, I see him as more potentially electable. He is galvenizing an attraction to politics again. I have read both Obama’s books and he’s a transcendent figure who can inspire people who no longer believe in politics.”

Hillary Clinton is family friend of the Gerzon family. He’s known her personally since he was 5 years old. His parents worked with her in New Haven, Conn., at the Children’s Defense Fund.

Ari is a fifth-grade teacher at Indian Peaks Elementary School in Longmont.

Harvard professor and genocide scholar Samantha Power has made a video, posted at ANCA.org and YouTube.com, specifically appealing to Armenian-Americans and asking for their support for Barack Obama in the presidential elections. Power identifies herself as a senior foreign policy advisor to Obama. I wonder whether, if Obama gets elected, Samantha Power will become the Secretary of State.

A statement by presidential candidate John McCain, posted by the Armenian National Committee of America, on Armenian-American issues:

February 1, 2008

Aram Hamparian
Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Thank you for contacting me regarding my views on issues of special concern to the Armenian-American community – a community which has contributed richly to the American fabric and has been instrumental in ensuring that one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century is never forgotten.

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. 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.

Therefore, the rise of independent Armenia from such painful experiences is extremely inspirational, as is the vibrancy of the Armenian diaspora. In particular, I deeply admire both Armenia’s support of coalition operations in Iraq and NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, as well as the Armenian-American community’s great contributions to our nation. In my visits to Armenia, I have been deeply impressed by the tremendous progress made in very difficult circumstances.

I greatly appreciate this opportunity and look forward to working with the Armenian-American community in my campaign and as the next President of the United States.

Sincerely,

John McCain

Received in e-mail from ANCA and AAA:

Statement of Senator Hillary Clinton on the U.S.-Armenia Relationship

Alone among the Presidential candidates, I have been a longstanding supporter of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I have been a co-sponsor of the Resolution since 2002, and I support adoption of this legislation by both Houses of Congress.

I believe the horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians constitute a clear case of genocide. I have twice written to President Bush calling on him to refer to the Armenian Genocide in his annual commemorative statement and, as President, I will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Our common morality and our nation’s credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress and the President of the United States.

If the mass atrocities of the 20th Century have taught us anything it is that we must honestly look the facts of history in the face in order to learn their lessons, and ensure they will not happen again. It is not just about the past, but about our future. We must close the gap between words and deeds to prevent mass atrocities. That is why I am a supporter of the Responsibility to Protect. As President, I will work to build and enhance U.S. and international capacity to act early and effectively to prevent mass atrocities. The Bush administration’s words of condemnation have not been backed with leadership to stop the genocide in Darfur. I support a no-fly-zone over Darfur. I have championed strong international action to ensure that the government of Sudan can no longer act with impunity, or interfere with the international peacekeeping force, which is essential for the protection of the people of Darfur.

I value my friendship with our nation’s vibrant Armenian-American community. This is in keeping with my dedication to the causes of the Armenian-American community over many years. I was privileged as First Lady to speak at the first-ever White House gathering in 1994 for leaders from Armenia and the Armenian-American community to celebrate the historic occasion of Armenia’s reborn independence. I said at the time that America will stand with you as you realize what the great Armenian poet, Puzant Granian, called the Armenian’s dream “to be left in peace in his mountains, to build, to dream, to create.”

I will, as President, work to expand and improve U.S.-Armenia relations in addressing the common issues facing our two nations: increasing trade, fostering closer economic ties, fighting terrorism, strengthening democratic institutions, pursuing our military partnership and deepening cooperation with NATO, and cooperating on regional concerns, among them a fair and democratic resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. As President, I will expand U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and to the people of Nagorno-Karabagh.

I look forward, as President, to continuing to work with the Armenian-American community on the many domestic and international challenges we face together, and to build on the strong foundations of shared values that have long brought together the American and Armenian peoples.

Via an ANCA e-mail from BarackObama.com:  

Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations

| January 19, 2008

I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors – a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction 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. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics – displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century.

Armenia-based British photojournalist Onnik Krikorian expresses his concerns and doubts over the usage of his photography by the campaign website of presidential candidate and Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan without his permission.

Although Krikorian did sell some photos to the campaign, he is worried that the usage of other photographs may suggest his support for Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

In a country like Armenia, where journalists are usually thought of – and sometimes are – as some political group’s “agent,” Krikorian’s concerns are valid. 

When the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) – a political party in Armenia – held an open-to-all pre-election vote to decide which of their leaders should run for presidency in 2008, I jokingly told my sister this was the first transparent and democratic presidential election in Armenia’s entire history. 

It is quite funny and somewhat ironic, but the nationalist ARF or Dashnak party is introducing democracy in Armenia through very creative and unique ways. 

The Armenian Observer informs of the newest ARF method to gain votes:

[T]he party now has printed out 400,000 ‘contracts’ with Vahan Hovhannisyan – the ARF candidate [decided by the open-to-all vote].

According to this contract, the presidential candidate promises to make social changes, maintain political stability, contribute to the unification of Armenians in the homeland, establish social solidarity, ensure free elections.

Everybody that reads and signs the agreement will receive a small card with the picture of Vahan Hovhannisyan and will join the movement “I am with Vahan”. […]

[…]

I have also heard rumours, that ARF are planning yet another major PR event, specifically targeting young people – Serj Tankian, the lead vocalist, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative metal band System of a Down, will hold a concert in Yerevan in support of ARF-Dashnaktsutyun candidate.

I don’t think I’d vote for the ARF candidate if I lived in Armenia (in fact, I might boycott the elections), but I can’t hide my support for the healthy campaign they have been doing so far for the 2008 elections.  They are clearly introducing a culture of fair and fun politics in Armenia which supports the democratization and builds general trust for elections.

Despite many dark aspects of the ARF history, I think they are making history today by creating a culture of transparency and trust through simple campaign strategies. 

And it is not all about gaining power this time, it seems ARF is delivering a Ralph-Nader-kind of message.

This is somewhat old news, but I just discovered for myself that patients in an Armenian mental institution were forced to vote for the ruling Republican party during the parliamentarian elections earlier in 2007.  Source: 168 Hours

According to Lragir.am the patients of the psychic institution of salt mine were made to vote for the 15th number of the proportional ballot, that is the Republican Party.

The citizen who provided this information is one of the relatives of the patients. The patient called him and said that the ballot-box was brought in, however the patients were not allowed to vote on their own and cast ballots in the boxes.

The nurse threatened the patients to give a shot if they vote on their own. Only after the alert call the patient, who made noise was allowed to vote alone.

But 15 others were made to vote for the 15th number in the ballot. After the alert several other patients were able to vote on their own.

A reader of Blogian has sent a very critical letter in regards to Armenia’s praised-as-democratic elections suggesting that the reason there was no major outcry against the elections among ordinary Armenians was because people have completely lost their hope toward democracy in Armenia and predicted the exact turnout of the vote – people who are in charge staying in charge – long time ago.

I guess the critic is right in the sense that “everybody knows” who is Armenia’s next president and it doesn’t really talk about democracy.  Anyhow, you read and judge.

Actualy [fair time] media coverage or whatever has nothing to do with European observers opinion.

It was 110% political decision because S. Sargsyan [the current prime minister that “everybody knows” will be the president next year] is much more
American/European supporter than Kocharyan [the current president],thats why they have let one party to get 50+% of whole parliament [actually that’s not the case].
That means that in Karabakh case Armenia will now have much softer
position,the same time both western civilizations want Armenian to scream
about Genocide as loud as possible because they want to weaken Turkey
to make it more manageable.
But the question you should ask is what it has to do with Armenians
living in Armenia ?
That means continue of white genocide. According to officials more than 38% of population depends on transfer from their relatives abroad and none official data says more than half of the population depends on transfers.
Its been three years since USD->AMD [Armenian money] exchange rate is “droping” since Armenian economy is “growing”. It has droped by 45% during last 3 years.
For people who rely on transfers that means they they got poor by half during last three years.
The same time they hold prices in local currency high and wont let them
drop so you have to spend more dollars to live the same way you did three
years ago.
That means about $1,000 for the family of 4 to survive.

Yerevan [Armenia’s capital] is now 18th most expensive city in the world, we are somewhere next to Amsterdam and similar developed cities, but the same time we are on 80th place according to UN reports. Something is wrong, the country with no natural resources and half of population of which depends on transfer has 18th most expensive city accross the planet ?
European observers expressed political decision. In fact this time the “elections” were the worst in out history, there was no fight
between parties at all, everyone knew what will happen many months
before elections.This campaign was so weak that one can tell you that
there was no campaign at all.

Republicans sold their soles to foreigne countries, in exchange west let
them do whatever they want inside Armenia,there has never been less
democracy here as now.

I am, and not only me, deeply disapointed in Europe or whatever Western
civilization “democratic,transparent etc” elections,that was the last hope that they will stop whats happening here now.
Prices are rising by 20% a year, more people will leave Armenia in
coming years so that Serge Sargsyan and company can drive anobe Mybach [Blogian doesn’t know what the last thing is but he thinks it is a new kind of car].

I guess the bottom line of the e-mail is a challenge to the status-quo of neo-liberalism where “free trade” and other forms of governance are hailed as democratic while ordinary people are getting poorer and poorer.  A perfect example of this would be India.