REMARK RAISES DEBATE ON ENVOY TO ARMENIA
by Michael Doyle Bee Washington Bureau

Fresno Bee (California)
March 29, 2006 Wednesday
FINAL EDITION

Ambassador John Evans is unfailingly diplomatic about his fate as
the plain-speaking U.S. envoy to Armenia.

Others, including California lawmakers and Armenian-American activists,
are more blunt.

Unhappy lawmakers and activists contend Evans is being forced from his
post because he conceded last year that the term “Armenian genocide”
appropriately described the slaughter of Armenians between 1915 and
1923. His potential career problem is that the State Department and
the government of Turkey do not accept the term.

On Tuesday, sounding as if he were reciting carefully prepared talking
points, Evans spoke delicately about his current status.

“I am still the ambassador,” Evans said in a brief interview during
a Washington visit. “I have not submitted my retirement papers.”

At the same time, the career foreign service officer underscored the
temporary nature of any diplomatic posting. In June, he will have
served in Armenia for two years — and he also will have reached the
35-year mark in the State Department.

“No ambassador stays forever,” Evans said, twice.

A Yale graduate who speaks four foreign languages and is studying
Eastern Armenian, Evans is the subject of considerable speculation
by politically active Armenian-Americans and their congressional
champions. Ever since rumors began several weeks ago that Evans was
to be recalled or otherwise disciplined, interest groups and lawmakers
with large Armenian-American constituencies have been weighing in.

Most recently, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, has called the
State Department to request a meeting. It has not yet been scheduled.

Other lawmakers, too, have been increasing the pressure. At least
three members of Congress, including Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff,
D-Pasadena, and Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, have leveled
written blasts at the State Department.

“I do not believe it is possible for any ambassador to Armenia to
function with any credibility if he does not recognize the genocide,”
Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., wrote Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
on March 10. “It is simply wrong for the State Department to punish
Ambassador Evans for statements he made that are factually correct.”

The reporter can be reached at mdoyle@mcclatchydc.com or (202)
383-0006.