UCLA International Institute
Educating Global Citizens
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John M. Evans, Speaks at UCLA
from left to right: Vice Provost Geoffrey Garrett, Ambassaor John M.
Evans, Prof. Richard G. Hovannisian
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John M. Evans, Speaks at UCLA
Recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, John
Marshall Evans, visited UCLA on February 17, 2005 to address students,
faculty, and the public in an informative talk titled “Report from
Armenia, 2005.”
His visit to campus was arranged by Professor Richard G. Hovannisian,
Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History, in
cooperation with the Armenian Students Association, the Burkle Center
for International Relations, the Center for European and Eurasian
Studies, and the departments of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and
Slavic Languages and Literatures.
Ambassador John Evans, Archbishop Mousegh Mardirossian, Dr. Richard
Hovannisian, UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale
Speaking before a capacity audience in the Viewpoint Conference Room of
Ackerman Union, Ambassador Evans gave a frank assessment of his
impressions of Armenia in the six months since he presented his
credentials to the president of the Republic in September 2004. The
ambassador touched upon the challenges and opportunities facing the
Republic, which regained its independence with the collapse of the
Soviet Union in 1991 and was immediately recognized by the United
States. Major external challenges include stabilizing conditions in the
strategic Caucasus region and finding ways to improve relations with the
neighboring states of Azerbaijan and Turkey so that they will lift their
blockade of the landlocked Armenian state and accept a compromise
solution to the territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabagh region.
Speaking of domestic issues, the ambassador stressed U.S. encouragement
of democratic institutions, free and transparent elections,
anti-corruption measures, and a revitalized economic and financial
infrastructure. He also acknowledged the concerns of the
Armenian-American community relating to U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915.
The talk was followed by a brisk discussion session, during which UCLA
students questioned the ambassador about the U.S. policies in the South
Caucasus region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) and matters of importance
to the Armenian people. During the exchange, Robin Phillips, Mission
Director in Armenia of the US Agency for International Development
(US/AID) outlined the financial, educational, and moral assistance
extended by the United States and reiterated the objective of advancing
democratic institutions in Armenia.
Raffi Kassabian, President of the Armenian Students Association, closed
the forum by thanking the ambassador for his report and stressing the
importance of continued dialogue.
Ambassador John Evans, Consul General of Armenia Gagik Kirakosian, Betty
Jamgotchian, Armenian Bar Association
Ambassador Evans was also accompanied by Mrs. Donna Evans, former
president of the World Affairs Council of Washington D.C., Eugenia
Sidereas of the State Department’s Armenia Desk, and Political Officer
Aaron Sherinian, who served as the liaison with Professor Hovannisian in
arranging the ambassador’s visit to UCLA.
Prior to the public lecture, Ambassador Evans and his party were guests
of honor at a luncheon in the Faculty Center attended by UCLA
administrators and faculty and representatives of Armenian community
organizations. They were welcomed by Chancellor Albert Carnesale and
greeted by Provost of the International Institute Geoffrey Garrett and
Professor Hovannisian. On this occasion, Provost Garrett presented both
Ambassador Evans and the Honorable Gagik Kirakossian, Consul General of
the Republic Armenia in Los Angeles, with Vasa sculptures designed by
UCLA Design | Media Arts Professor Vasa Mihich, an internationally known
sculptor.
Date Posted: 2/22/2005
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