Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
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PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATORS KERRY AND KENNEDY DEMAND ANSWERS ABOUT EVANS FIRING
— Two Leading Legislators Formally Ask Secretary Rice
for Clarification of Ambassador’s Premature Dismissal
WASHINGTON, DC – Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Edward Kennedy (D-
MA), this week, joined the growing list of legislators demanding
answers from the Administration regarding the recall of U.S.
Ambassador to Armenian John Evans over his honest and accurate
public statements about the Armenian Genocide, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a June 5th letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the
two Massachusetts Senators conveyed their concerns regarding
reports that the Ambassador was dismissed “due to the use of the
word ‘genocide’ when describing the atrocities that were committed
against the Armenian people in 1915.” They added that, “Reports
from diplomats at the time make clear that genocide accurately
described these events. Henry Morgenthau, then our Ambassador to
the Ottoman Empire, described these actions as a campaign of racial
extermination.” They closed their letter by noting that,
“Allegedly the Government of Turkey was dismayed by Amb. Evans’
remarks and expressed this to the U.S. Government. We would like
clarification as soon as possible about Amb. Evans’ premature
dismissal after 35 years of exemplary service to the United States
Government.”
The letter was sent in the wake of the May 23rd White House
announcement nominating Richard Hoagland to serve as the new
Ambassador to Armenia. Amb. Evans will be replaced in Yerevan after
Ambassador Hoagland’s Senate confirmation process is completed.
The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements at Armenian
American community functions, during which he properly
characterized the Armenian Genocide as “genocide.” Following his
statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying
that his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal
views and did not represent a change in U.S. policy. He
subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a
reference to the genocide with the word “tragedy.” The American
Foreign Service Association, which had decided to honor Amb. Evans
with the “Christian A. Herter Award,” recognizing creative thinking
and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service, reportedly
rescinded the award following pressure from the State Department in
the days leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.
“We join with Armenians throughout Massachusetts and around the
nation in thanking Senators Kennedy and Kerry for demanding an
explanation of the circumstances of Ambassador Evans’ firing –
particularly as they relate to the role of the Turkish government,”
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Despite repeated
Congressional inquiries dating back more than three months, the
Administration has yet to respond to a single question, to provide
any meaningful explanation of its actions, or to release even one
of the diplomatic cables from the Turkish government on this
matter.”
Upon sending the letter, Sen. Kennedy noted, “What happened in
Armenia was genocide. No one should lose their job for stating the
plain truth.”
Senator Kerry elaborated, stating: “If history has taught us
anything, it’s that when we see it we must call genocide by its
name. There is no doubt about the genocide of 1.5 million Armenian
men, women and children, and the United States government should be
straight about this piece of world history. It’s an outrage that a
respected lifelong diplomat would be fired simply for speaking the
truth. In 1990 I fought alongside Senator Dole to designate April
24 as a national day of remembrance so we could learn from this
dark period and honor the memories of those Armenians who
suffered.” Sen. Kerry continued, noting that, “The Ambassador and
his career should not be made a scapegoat for this administration’s
refusal to face the facts and strengthen the ties between our
countries.”
As early as March 8th, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian expressed grave
disappointment over reports that Ambassador Evans would be
penalized for speaking the truth about the Armenian Genocide. In a
letter to Secretary Rice, Hachikian wrote that, “the prospect that
a U.S. envoy’s posting – and possibly his career – has been cut
short due to his honest and accurate description of a genocide is
profoundly offensive to American values and U.S. standing abroad –
particularly in light of President Bush’s call for moral clarity in
the conduct of our international affairs.”
On May 23rd, sixty U.S. House members cosigned a letter to
Secretary Rice, spearheaded by Rep. Markey, calling for an
explanation of the Ambassador’s recall. Earlier, Representatives
Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA) submitted questions
at House International Relations Committee hearings with Secretary
Rice. On May 25th, Rep. Pallone condemned Amb. Evans’ firing,
expressing concerns about Turkish government intervention in the
decision.
The full text of Senators Kerry and Kennedy’s letter follows.
#####
June 5, 2006
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
United States Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rice,
We are writing to convey our disappointment over the apparent
dismissal of the United States Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans.
It is our understanding that Ambassador Evans will be leaving his
post early, reportedly as a result of comments he made early last
year.
In an exchange with Armenian American groups in February 2005
Ambassador Evans used the word “genocide” to describe the horrific
atrocities that were committed against the Armenian people in 1915.
We believe, and the reports from our diplomats at that time, make
clear that genocide accurately described these events. Henry
Morgenthau, then our Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, described
these actions as a “campaign of race extermination.” Several U.S.
officials, including President Reagan, have used the term
“genocide” to describe what happened to the Armenian people.
Allegedly the Government of Turkey was dismayed by Ambassador
Evans’ remarks and expressed this to the U.S. government. We would
like clarification as soon as possible about Ambassador Evans’
premature dismissal after 35 years of exemplary service to the
United States Government. We look forward to hearing from you on
this important matter.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy
John F. Kerry
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
