It was predictable that Barack Obama will not say “Genocide” in his annual address to Armenians, ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction secretary Artyusha Shahbazyan told NEWS.am.

“Interestingly, U.S. political establishment does not wish to recognize Genocide out of political expediency, though they do not deny it either. Thus, moral aspect of the issue fades into insignificance,” he stated. On the other hand, overwhelming majority of U.S. states recognized Armenian Genocide and the White House’s stance in fact should reflect will of Americans. “It appears that further denial of Armenian Genocide by the White House is anti-popular. It is unclear how long U.S. administration will carry out such a policy, the more so as Armenia’s decision to suspend Protocols’ ratification process does not create favorable ground. Obama and other influential politicians will be unable to condition their denial to recognize Genocide by Armenia-Turkey dialogue,” Shahbazyan said. However, he stated that Armenia, Diaspora and Dashnaktsutyun should continue their struggle to recognize Armenian Genocide internationally, adding that Armenians already achieved certain success.

Republican Party MP Galust Sahakyan explained Obama’s reluctance to say “Genocide” by political expediency and U.S. interests. “I do not think Obama’s avoidance of the word &‘Genocide’ will affect Armenia-U.S. relations in any way, as U.S. is a sovereign country guided by its own interests only,” he stated, adding that presently world recognizes Genocide de facto, though many countries avoid to fix it de jure due to their political interests.

A.G.