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WASHINGTON—It wasn’t bad enough that President Barack Obama again declined to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in this Centennial year.

Bad enough, too, that he skirted the ceremonies in D.C. this month and failed to acknowledge the visiting President of Armenia Serge Sarkisian.

But when Vice President Joe Biden was sent as a courtesy gesture and said nothing—that could be the ultimate breaking point.

Some 2,500 Armenians piled into Washington’s National Cathedral May 7, including two Pontiffs and an entire cadre of visiting priests representing various denominations from throughout the United States, along with dignitaries and community leaders.

It would have been a perfect opportunity to deliver a message of understanding, compassion, and support—a perfect time to give this country some backing toward genocide recognition.

But nothing! The Vice President didn’t move from his seat during the entire two-hour Ecumenical Service. He took his place between Sarkisian, and Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, who also remained reticent.

VP Biden attended under his own terms: No voice. No photographs from the floor. No formal introductions. Those were the stipulations, which drew some resentment from the gathering.

Could be the State Department cautioned him against making any public statements after President Obama once against failed to use the “G-word” and reneged on a promise he had made in 2008 when he first campaigned for the White House.

Biden made no hesitation in contacting the Armenian National Committee of America at that time, soliciting support from the Armenian community. He called Chairman Ken Hachikian asking for an endorsement of the Obama-Biden ticket.

“I remember the conversation,” said Hachikian. “Promises were made from this administration and were not fulfilled. Efforts to meet with the President have been futile. All calls have gone unanswered.”

The president was officially invited to the commemoration months ago, according to Hachikian, and was told he had a conflict and couldn’t attend.

“Many believe it was an act of cowardice on his part not to show up,” added Hachikian.

As for Biden, Hachikian and others welcomed the Vice President to our midst, exposing the official to an eclectic program that included a talk by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, among other luminaries.

“It’s always good to have a U.S. government official understand not only a community but world perspective on genocide,” Hachikian pointed out, “to have all the world powers express solidarity over genocide. Nobody said it better than the Vehapar.”

Aram I made a remark that drew resounding applause: “Silence is a continuation of genocide.”

Upon entering the cathedral, Sarkisian was met on the staircase by Biden. The two exchanged pleasantries for the first time—but nothing more. A White House meeting between the two dignitaries would have conformed to proper protocol and perhaps some resolve over legislative issues.

“Biden certainly could have addressed the crowd had he wanted to,” Hachikian brought out. “This was not a liturgy but a commemoration. The Vice President chose not to speak. It was a policy decision to make an appearance and not speak. He could have overruled that.”

The ANCA requested a meeting with him, and again, no response to the offer.

“He could have made a remark to the press or TV media, had he chosen, instead of an address from the pulpit,” said Hachikian. “I also made a personal request to talk to him with no answer.”

Biden showed up under heavy guard one minute prior to the start and left promptly after. Security had him tightly covered by choice.

Those seated in the pews would have never known of his attendance had they not been seated within close proximity. One or two priests grabbed a shot of Biden with a cell phone, but otherwise, photographs were off-limits.

It took the press one hour to clear security measures. Every piece of apparatus was checked by radar equipment before a drug-sniffing canine was brought in. The press was escorted to the upper balcony out of clear view from the Vice President.

“President Sarkisian also requested a meeting and all he got was a cursory conversation by the door,” said Hachikian. “It was not the way we expected things to turn out.”

The post VP Joe Biden Keeps Low Profile in DC appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


  WASHINGTON—It wasn’t bad enough that President Barack Obama again declined to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in this Centennial year. Bad enough, too, that he skirted the ceremonies in D.C. this month and failed to acknowledge the visiting President of Armenia Serge Sarkisian. But when Vice President Joe Biden was sent as a courtesy gesture and said nothing—that could be the ultimate breaking point. Vice President Joe Biden sandwiched between Armenia President Serge Sarkisian and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power Some 2,500 Armenians piled into Washington’s National Cathedral May 7, including two Pontiffs and an entire cadre of visiting priests representing various denominations from throughout the United States, along with dignitaries and community leaders. It would have been a perfect opportunity to deliver a message of understanding, compassion, and support—a perfect time to give this country some backing toward genocide recognition. But nothing! The Vice President didn’t move from his seat during the entire two-hour Ecumenical Service. He took his place between Sarkisian, and Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, who also remained reticent. VP Biden attended under his own terms: No voice. No photographs from the floor. No formal introductions. Those [...]

The post VP Joe Biden Keeps Low Profile in DC appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


  WASHINGTON—It wasn’t bad enough that President Barack Obama again declined to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in this Centennial year. Bad enough, too, that he skirted the ceremonies in D.C. this month and failed to acknowledge the visiting President of Armenia Serge Sarkisian. But when Vice President Joe Biden was sent as a courtesy gesture and said nothing—that could be the ultimate breaking point. Vice President Joe Biden sandwiched between Armenia President Serge Sarkisian and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power Some 2,500 Armenians piled into Washington’s National Cathedral May 7, including two Pontiffs and an entire cadre of visiting priests representing various denominations from throughout the United States, along with dignitaries and community leaders. It would have been a perfect opportunity to deliver a message of understanding, compassion, and support—a perfect time to give this country some backing toward genocide recognition. But nothing! The Vice President didn’t move from his seat during the entire two-hour Ecumenical Service. He took his place between Sarkisian, and Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, who also remained reticent. VP Biden attended under his own terms: No voice. No photographs from the floor. No formal introductions. Those [...]

The post VP Joe Biden Keeps Low Profile in DC appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


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