06 11 16 - "An American Voice for Armenia?" Parla di Nancy Pelosi,

Questo sito è dedicata al Nancy Pelosi, Novo Spreaker del Parlamento USA Favorevole causa ARMENA http://www.armenianow.com/
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November 16, 2006 www.armenianow.com
Madame Speaker holds the hopes of Genocide recognition supporters An American Voice for Armenia?: New US Speaker has history of Genocide recognition support By John Hughes and Richard Giragosian .
Although much of Armenia has been engrossed in its own domestic political developments, this week’s American congressional elections have relevance for Armenia’s relations with the superpower.

Central to these issues is the implications of such a dramatic change in American politics, and in many ways most importantly, Armenian eyes will now be on America as California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi assumes the chair as Speaker of the House in the US Congress in January.

Pelosi, the ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, is at the crest of a political wave that washed over Washington Tuesday, when Democrats took control of the House and Senate in a shift that effectively stymies the power of the Bush administration.
An American Voice for Armenia?: New US Speaker has history of Genocide recognition support
By John Hughes and Richard Giragosian

Although much of Armenia has been engrossed in its own domestic political developments, this week’s American congressional elections have relevance for Armenia’s relations with the superpower.

Central to these issues is the implications of such a dramatic change in American politics, and in many ways most importantly, Armenian eyes will now be on America as California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi assumes the chair as Speaker of the House in the US Congress in January.

Madame Speaker holds the hopes of Genocide recognition supporters
Pelosi, the ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, is at the crest of a political wave that washed over Washington Tuesday, when Democrats took control of the House and Senate in a shift that effectively stymies the power of the Bush administration. It is the first time in 12 years that Democrats have controlled the legislative body of the government.

The 66-year old Pelosi, the first woman in US history to fill the powerful seat of Speaker of the House, will fill the highest elected post ever held by a woman in America and ascend as the third in line in terms of presidential succession. But it is a much narrower, and more specific, historical issue that will make this congresswoman the center of a new and intensive scrutiny among the worldwide Armenian community.

Specifically, Congresswoman Pelosi has been both a long-time ally of the Armenian-American community and an outspoken advocate of legislation that would formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. Her predecessor as speaker, Republican Congressman Dennis Hastert of Illinois, has consistently blocked similar legislation in the House of Representatives and has even blocked efforts to bring Armenian Genocide recognition bills to a vote, justifying his position by arguing that US-Turkish relations would suffer if such a bill were adopted.

As recently as last month, however, Pelosi reiterated her position on the Armenian Genocide, telling California Courier editor Harut Sassounian that, should she assume the position of Speaker, she would renew legislative efforts to secure genocide recognition. According to the Courier, Pelosi pledged her support in the following statement:

"I have supported legislation, including House Resolution 316 that would properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. It is imperative that the United States recognize this atrocity and move to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and wherever it exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House, and I will continue to support these efforts in the 110th Congress."

Sassounian, who himself, has long been a persistent voice of Genocide recognition, often using his weekly editorials as a platform, believes Pelosi’s words represent more than a simple campaign promise.

“Congresswoman Pelosi has been a staunch supporter of this resolution for more than 20 years,” Sassounian told ArmeniaNow, noting that “Armenian-Americans look forward to seeing her carry out her pledge” and stating that “I have no doubt that she will.”

Pelosi does indeed hold a long record of Armenian-friendly positions, most notably regarding the Armenian Genocide issue.

During April 24 commemorations on Capitol Hill, Pelosi countered Bush Administration concerns over the impact of Genocide recognition on US-Turkey relations, saying:

"First, at the time of the Iron Curtain, [opponents of the bill cited] the strategic location of Turkey, after that it was the Gulf War and Turkey’s strategic location . . . Turkey’s strategic location is not a license to kill."

The leadership of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in Washington, DC have also added that the “principled stand of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi comes as no surprise,” and pointed to the fact that the congresswoman has supported Genocide recognition since her very first term in Congress, in 1986.

And in a statement posted on the advocacy group’s website (www.anca.org), Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian went on to say that “Nancy Pelosi's powerful words and principled actions underscore the stark difference between her and Dennis Hastert, who, during his tenure as Speaker has consistently prevented a bipartisan majority from voting in favor of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.”

Likewise, the Armenian Assembly of America welcomed the Pelosi victory.

“With Pelosi as Speaker our chances for the Armenian Genocide resolution are excellent, especially in light of her record and increased references to the International Center for Transitional Justice report, which concluded that the Genocide could be properly referenced as such,” said Assembly director Bryan Ardouny.

As Hamparian notes, the difference between the outgoing Republican Speaker and the soon-to-be Speaker Pelosi regarding the Armenian Genocide is stark indeed. But it is that very difference between the Republican and Democrat lawmakers that raises a much deeper question.

The central question, stemming from the potential impact of a Democratic-controlled House, relates to the impact on all aspects of US policy, and not just on the Armenian Genocide. And there is one fundamental consideration in answering this question.

The most important consideration for Armenia is not necessarily tied to the implications of new leadership in Congress. Rather, the future course of US policy on Armenian issues will largely be determined by the institutional political competition between Congress and the Bush White House.

The dynamics of that struggle will also be marked by a strong reassertion of a Congressional role, and critical voice, in many levels of US foreign policy. And because of the overriding significance of other priorities, ranging from the war in Iraq to domestic concerns, the Armenian Genocide issue may once again be sacrificed in the wake of a larger battle over more pressing US issues.

Moreover, even in the event that the incoming Democratic leadership remains firm in its commitment to pursuing Armenian Genocide recognition, the outcome remains far from certain. For when and if the new US Congress adopts legislation affirming US recognition of the Genocide, President Bush may most likely veto the legislation.

Although the recent US Congressional elections offer a degree of promise for a possible shift in US policy, the campaign for Armenian Genocide recognition is still hostage to that deadly combination of domestic American politics and a foreign policy dominated by so-called overriding “national security” concerns. Thus, no matter what the future holds for Washington’s handling of the Armenian Genocide, it can be argued that the true path to resolving this issue lies as much in Yerevan as it does in foreign capitals.

But given both the new opportunity in Washington and the recent support in Europe for advancing the Genocide recognition issue, it is further imperative that Armenia leverages the growing political capital that the Armenian Diaspora has so far accumulated. And has so often been the case in the history of Armenia, this new situation presents as much a challenge as an opening.

V.V