Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
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PRESS RELEASE
June 9, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CALLS ON SENATORS TO DEMAND
FULL EXPLANATION OF EVANS FIRING
“The U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience,
approve the nomination of a new ambassador to
Armenia until the circumstances of the current
envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully,
officially and openly explained to Congress and
the American people.
— ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian letter to U.S. Senators
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today urged U.S. Senators to demand a full and open explanation of
the highly controversial firing of the current U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, John Evans, before the Senate moves to confirm a new envoy
to Yerevan.
In June 9th letters, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian encouraged
Senators to vigorously investigate the reasons behind the
Administration’s decision to recall the Ambassador more than a year
prior to the end of his normal term of office.
The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Fresno Bee have
reported that the State Department’s actions against Ambassador
Evans were due to his comments, made during February, 2005 speeches
to Armenian American audiences, accurately and openly describing
the Armenian Genocide as a clear instance of genocide. Despite
more than 60 Members of Congress having called for an official
explanation of the Administration’s policies and actions on this
matter, over the past four months the White House and State
Department have yet to offer any meaningful explanation about the
dismissal of this highly-regarded, 35-year veteran of the Foreign
Service.
Hachikian stressed, in his letters, that, “The U.S. Senate cannot,
in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new ambassador to
Armenia until the circumstances of the current envoy’s highly
controversial firing are fully, officially, and openly explained to
Congress and the American people. More broadly, the Administration
needs to honestly explain its policies and actions concerning the
Armenian Genocide. This is especially true given that serious
questions remain unanswered concerning the role that a foreign
nation – the Turkish Government – played in Ambassador Evans’
firing.”
The ANCA letter closed with Hachikian urging Senators to delay the
final approval of the incoming ambassador until the Administration
clearly and openly explains its policies and actions in connection
to the firing of Ambassador Evans.
Hachikian’s letters to the 18 members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee addressed their special oversight during the
panel’s upcoming confirmation hearing for the President’s nominees
to serve as the next Ambassador to Armenia.
A copy of the ANCA letter is provided below.
#####
June 9, 2006
Senator ______
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator <<LAST>>:
I am writing, on behalf of the Armenian American community, to ask
you – in an exercise of your constitutional oversight
responsibility – to demand that the Administration explain its
reasons for firing the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall
Evans.
It is our understanding, based on information from within the State
Department, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the White House, and
published reports, that Ambassador Evans is being recalled over his
February 2005 statements at Armenian American community events
characterizing the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide.
The Administration, however, despite months of Congressional
inquiries, has yet to offer any meaningful explanation of why this
highly-regarded diplomat is being dismissed nearly a year before
the end of his normal term of office.
The U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination
of a new ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the
current envoy’s highly controversial firing are fully, officially,
and openly explained to Congress and the American people. More
broadly, the Administration needs to honestly explain its policies
concerning the Armenian Genocide. This is especially true given
that serious questions remain unanswered concerning the role that
the Turkish Government played in Ambassador Evans’ firing.
I have attached two sets of suggested questions, one for the
Secretary of State and the other for the ambassador-designate
during his upcoming confirmation hearing. If, after this hearing,
these questions remain unanswered, I would respectfully suggest
that you use your prerogatives as a Senator to delay the Senate’s
confirmation until the Administration clearly explains its policies
and actions on this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman