AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN SUSPECTS INTRIGUES OF TURKEY IN DISMISSAL OF USA
AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA JOHN EVANS

Yerevan, May 29. ArmInfo. The controversy surrounded the firing of
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans continued to grow this
week with a powerful statement by the Co-Chairman of the Armenian
Caucus, calls for Congressional hearings, and a series of as yet
unanswered inquiries from the national media.

In a May 25th statement on the House floor, Congressman Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) forcefully condemned the Administration for forcing Amb. Evans
to vacate his post for publicly affirming the Armenian Genocide. He
voiced his “fear that the Government of Turkey may have played a role
in this unfortunate event. I strongly believe they have expressed
concern to the White House over Evans’ remarks last year. In fact,
immediately following his remarks, Evan issued a “correction,” all too
seemingly at the behest of the Administration. We must not allow a
third party to interfere in U.S. diplomacy and refrain from declaring
the truth in order to promote relations with Turkey.” He added that
hearings in the Congress will clarify the situation, as the White
House “has already made an official announcement but still has not
given an explanation”.

He closed by expressing his “hope that the newly-appointed
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, will not play the word
games of the White House, and comply with Turkey’s campaign of
genocidal denial.”