SEAN MCCORMACK HOLDS STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING (RE-AMB. EVANS)
Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
CQ Transcriptions
May 25, 2006 Thursday
SPEAKER:
Sean Mccormack, Assistant Secretary Of State For Public Affairs
Location: Washington, D.C.
State Department Regular News Briefing
May 25, 2006
[irrelevant parts omitted]
QUESTION: Do you have anything about the U.S. ambassador to Armenia?
Apparently the Congress is concerned about the dismissal of this
ambassador.
MCCORMACK: Well, my understanding is that he will be the — he has
plans to leave post after two years. Usually the tour is three years.
There has been an individual, a Mr. Hoagland, I believe — Mr.
Hoagland has been intent to nominate yesterday.
All appointed officials — me, everybody else who goes through
Senate confirmation — serve at the pleasure of the president and the
secretary. And certainly Mr. Ambassador Evans should be congratulated
for his long career and his distinguished service to our country.
He has served in the State Department for, what? — 35 years?
Thirty-five years.
QUESTION: Does it have anything to do with any comment on the genocide
of the Armenians.
MCCORMACK: (inaudible) Like I said, we all serve at the pleasure of
the president.
QUESTION: Is it (inaudible) that he wants to retire?
MCCORMACK: Excuse me?
QUESTION: Is it your understanding that he wants to retire after he
leaves the post?
MCCORMACK: I believe so, but you’ll have to check with him about what
his plans are.
QUESTION: And I suppose that you wouldn’t — since you didn’t answer
her question, would you be able to say whether he’s leaving post
because of his own decision, or was he asked to leave post?
MCCORMACK: Like I said, we all serve at the pleasure of the
president. And he’s done a fine job for the American people over 35
years. And we appreciate his service.
There is somebody who has been — at least the intent to nominate
has come out. And we would hope that the Senate would act in a speedy
manner on that nomination, as we would hope with all nominations that
are coming out of the State Department and going up to the Hill.