UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 12-15-2018 Case Study: Armenian and Cuban Ethnic Interest Groups in American Foreign Policy Harry H. Terzian Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Ethnic Studies Commons, History Commons, Political Science Commons, and the Race and Ethnicity Commons Repository Citation Terzian, Harry H., "Case Study: Armenian and Cuban Ethnic Interest Groups in American Foreign Policy" (2018). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3530. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/14279709 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CASE STUDY: ARMENIAN AND CUBAN ETHNIC INTEREST GROUPS IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY By Harry H Terzian Bachelor of Arts – Political Science University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2008 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts - History Department of History College of Liberal Arts The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2018 Thesis Approval The Graduate College The University of Nevada, Las Vegas November 9, 2018 This thesis prepared by Harry H. Terzian entitled Case Study: Armenian and Cuban Ethnic Interest Groups in American Foreign Policy is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts - History Department of History Maria Raquel Casas, Ph.D. Kathryn Hausbeck Korgan, Ph.D. Examination Committee Chair Graduate College Interim Dean Michelle Tusan, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member Sue Fawn Chung, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member John Tuman, Ph.D. Graduate College Faculty Representative ii ABSTRACT A Historical Case Study: Armenian and Cuban Ethnic Interest Groups in American Foreign Policy By Harry H Terzian Maria Raquel Casas, Ph. D., Examination Committee Chair Director, Latina/o Studies, Associate Professor, Department of History University of Nevada, Las Vegas Current academic research has moved away from comparative models as a mechanism by which to assess and understand socio-political as well as historical phenomena. In addition, comparative analysis when it comes to addressing ethnic lobbies is almost nonexistent within contemporary research. This work implements a comparative framework and as a result has unlocked a new approach when addressing ethnic advocacy organizations. The purpose of this research is to assess and document the history and impact of both Armenian and Cuban ethnic interest groups within the United States. Specifically, focusing upon the Armenian National Committee of America and the Cuban American National Foundation. The work centers upon two case studies that embody the relative successes and achievements of both institutions. The first being Section 907 of the Freedom and Support Act of 1992 that banned direct US aid to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The second case study is the passage of The Radio Broadcasting To Cuba Act of 1983 that resulted in what became known as Radio Marti. This work attempts to illustrate the degree to which these Armenian and Cuban ethnic interest groups influenced iii legislation and by so doing, legitimized their status within their ethnic communities. The passage of these foreign policy initiatives portrayed these diasporan advocacy groups as crucial to the long-term viability of their communities. The comparative model used within this work illustrates that the ethnic interest groups listed above shaped and altered their host nation; the processes they utilized can best be described by four key factors. The relative success and long- term viability of both the legislative acts and the ethnic organizations themselves would be driven by the realization and attainment of these four factors. The comparative model provides a platform by which these four factors are realized, allowing for a broader context by which to understand the impact ethnic interest groups have on US foreign policy development. The corresponding success of these two ethnic interest groups can be directly associated with their ability to advance within as well as successfully employ these four factors. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Countless individuals have contributed to this research project. The first and most important person is Dr. Maria Raquel Casas, who has given me an unlimited level of dedication and personal insight throughout my academic career. Also, I would like to also acknowledge the Drs. Michelle Tusan and Sue Fawn Chung, who have been instrumental in mentoring and guiding me throughout this project long process. My initial interest in this topic stemmed from personal associations with ethnic interest groups as well as my families close relationship with the Armenian community. Also, I would like to mention those who have inspired me in taking up this project. From the countless mentors, colleagues and community leaders who encouraged throughout the years to further my academic career. The numerous individuals from religious and community members who have contributed both in material and moral support, won't be forgotten. Before this project, my understanding of ethnic interest group influence upon host nations was severely limited. In fact, as an Armenian American, I rarely, if ever, considered the ethnic organizations which I participated within as having any significant level of influence outside my Diaspora community. It was not until, 2014, when I was asked to compare Armenian ethnic organizations with those of other ethnic communities residing in the United States, did I finally consider the question seriously. Only when working closely with community members and academics, did It finally dawn on me that the associations between diasporan advocacy organizations and their host nation were complex and difficult to interpret. Thus, the impetus of the project began. v Finally, I would like to thank my family. My supporting wife of over eight years, who suffered from my absence due to the countless hours I spent cultivating and developing this research project. My parents, who never relented on their moral support in this endeavor. And to my brother and his wife who gave me the foresight in pursuing an academic career. Thank you again, Dr. Maria Raquel Casas, for your encouragement, and time in helping me through the Master's program. I always appreciated and enjoyed your knowledge of history and your insight regarding the plight immigrants faced when moving to a new home. I gained a new appreciation and understanding of ethnic interest groups in the US. Thus, my thesis is framed within a comparative model allowing for a more pragmatic assessment of diasporan communities. Furthermore, I would like to thank all those faculty members at UNLV who assisted me through this program. Without those mentioned above, this work would not have been completed. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract………………………………………………………………………………….....……..iii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………….....…….v Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………......….…vii Introduction……………………………………………………………………………....………..1 Chapter 1: The Armenian Diaspora………………………………………………....……….…..17 The Waves of Armenian Immigration to the US…………………………………....…...21 A New Armenian Diasporal Identity………………………………………....………….30 Chapter 2: The Cuban Diaspora …..………………………………………………....………..…34 The Waves of Cuban Immigration to the US………………………………..…..…...…..39 A New Cuban Diasporal Identity……………………………………….………..………54 Chapter 3: Armenian American Political Groups………………………………………..…...….58 The Armenian National Committee of America……………………………………..…..63 Chapter 4: Case Study: Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992………………….…..65 ANCA and the Marshalling of Resources……………………………………….………70 Historical Grievance as a Contributing Factor ……………………………….………….75 Ideological Compatibility in Passing Section 907……………………………………….80 Armenian Inter-Ethnic Interest Group Rivalry ………………………………………….84 Chapter 5: Cuban American Political Groups………………………………………………...…95 Cuban American National Foundation………………………………………………..…99 Chapter 6:Case Study: The Radio Broadcasting To Cuba Act of 1983 (Radio Marti)……..…..107 CANF and the Marshalling of Resources………………………………………………113 vii Historical Grievance as a Contributing Factor …………………………………………123 Ideological Compatibility in Establishing Radio Marti ……………………………..…130 Cuban Inter-Ethnic Interest Group Rivalry ………………………………………….…134 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...…142 Bibliography................................................................................................................................157 Curriculum Vitae.........................................................................................................................172 viii INTRODUCTION Various ethnic groups who have immigrated to the United States have attempted to influence domestic and international policy to suit their own ethno-national