SENATORS KERRY AND KENNEDY DEMAND ANSWERS ABOUT EVANS FIRING
ArmRadio.am
08.06.2006 11:17
Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy joined the growing list of
legislators demanding answers from the Administration regarding the
recall of US 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 US
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.
Ambassador Evans will be replaced in Yerevan after Hoagland’s Senate
confirmation process is completed.
“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.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress