Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATE PANEL PRESSES PROPOSED U.S. ENVOY FOR CLEAR
EXPLANATION OF U.S POLICY ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— "I am not sure how we can continue to have Ambassadors
to Armenia who can be effective unless they give
recognition to the Genocide." – Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)
— Sen. Biden Against Senate Approval of New Ambassador until
State Department Responds to Questions on Amb. Evans Recall
WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George
Allen (R-VA) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) bombarded U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland with questions about official
U.S. complicity in Turkey’s campaign of Genocide denial,
questioning him, during his confirmation hearing, regarding his
ability to effectively represent the United States in Armenia
without properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In the days leading up to today’s hearing, the Committee’s Ranking
Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-DE), in a strongly worded letter,
demanded that the Secretary of State answers questions concerning
the recall of the current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans,
before he could support the confirmation of his replacement.
At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), joined with Senators
Coleman and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration’s
refusal to speak truthfully on the Armenian Genocide. Senator
Boxer, who was unable to attend the hearing, submitted written
questions to Amb. Hoagland.
The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to
clarify the State Department’s policy on the Armenian Genocide. If
approved, he will replace the current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
John Marshall Evans, who – amid great controversy – has been
recalled over his truthful description of the Armenian Genocide in
February of 2005.
"We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and
Sarbanes in pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide – and commend Senator Biden for his
principled demand that the Senate receive clear answers on this
issue from the State Department before moving ahead with the
nomination of a new envoy to Yerevan," said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. "We were deeply disappointed that, in response to these
legitimate inquiries, Ambassador-designate Hoagland – apparently at
the direction of his superiors in the State Department – limited
his responses to a series of unresponsive evasions and euphemisms
intended to obscure – not explain – the U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide."
"We have said from the start – and believe even more firmly today –
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 controversial firing – including a thorough
description of the U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide – are
fully, officially and openly explained to Congress and the American
people," said Hachikian.
——————————-
Dodgin g the Armenian Genocide
——————————-
In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation
hearing, made specific reference to the Bush Administration’s
decision to recall U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans
for referring to the deportation and death of 1.5 million Armenians
in 1915 as a clear instance of "genocide." "Some have expressed
concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved of his duties as a
result of references to the Armenian Genocide," stated Sen. Allen.
"I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my
colleagues and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and
have strongly encouraged the President to do so as well. I hope
that in the future the Administration will recognize this terrible
event for what it was – genocide."
The Virginia Senator – and potential 2008 Presidential candidate –
then went on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he
has received about discussing the Armenian Genocide, as well as the
instructions he intends to issue to his Embassy staff on this
matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated that, "the President has
said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that the world
must never forget." He went on to note that he had not received
"any kind of written instruction about this. I simply studied the
policy, I studied the background papers on the policy, I know the
policy and my responsibility is to support the president."
Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing
that, as a Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus,
he has visited the memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and
would do so again, should he be confirmed. He added, however, that
he was against "getting stuck in the past" and wanted to focus on
"living in the future."
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, "you can’t look to the
future if you deny your past." Sen. Coleman was relentless but
respectful in his questioning, stating that, "the State Department
has put you in a difficult position. It is almost absurd for you
to sit here and you can’t utter the word ‘genocide.’ The
President’s statement that he utters every year is a description of
genocide. One of the things I was proud about the State Department
is when we talk about the Genocide in Sudan – it’s genocide what’s
happening in Darfur."
Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George
Bush that, "Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that
defies comprehension," asking Amb. Hoagland, "do you agree or
disagree with that statement." Amb. Hoagland avoided directly
answering the question, noting instead: "I fully agree that events
occurred in 1915 and following were of historic proportion. As I
said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard from
Senator Sarbanes earlier on – ‘hundreds of valleys devastated,’ ‘no
family untouched’. It was historic, it was a tragedy."
When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department
barred the use of the term "Armenian Genocide," Amb. Hoagland
dodged the question, stating: "I am very much encouraged by the
fact that there are senior officials in Yerevan and Ankara and
elsewhere who do like to bring closure to that period of history.
They are looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of
commissions – the truth and reconciliation commission concept is
being explored in quiet conversations. If we could I would very
much like to meet with senior officials in Ankara and Baku because
I think that could be helpful – it would help me understand better
how to play a role of reconciliatory and a peacemaking role."
In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian Genocide
lacks credibility. He noted that, "I am of the Jewish faith. I
cannot imagine an Ambassador to Israel being effective without
talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure how we can continue to
have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless they give
recognition to the Genocide."
Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed "regret that we
were called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career
Ambassador prior to the completion of a three year tour of duty.
We would not be in this situation, if the Administration would
simply acknowledge a plain historical truth that 91 years ago, the
world witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st century – the
Armenian Genocide." Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the U.S.
Foreign service officers who witnessed the Armenian Genocide in
1915, and whose observations remain a permanent part of the U.S.
archives.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the hearing,
submitted remarks and detailed written questions to Amb. Hoagland.
Noting Amb. Evans’ statement in February 2005, properly
characterizing the Armenian Genocide as "genocide," Sen. Boxer
stated, "I agree with Ambassador Evans’ statement. Not only should
we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we
should also not play political games with issues of genocide." The
Senator went on to express concern "that the controversy
surrounding Ambassador Evans will needlessly harm U.S.-Armenian
relations. I understand that there are protests in front of the
U.S. Embassy in Yerevan today over the recall of Ambassador of
Evans. How would you respond to this concern?"
Sen. Boxer’s reference was to a candle-light vigil held today in
Yerevan by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate
confirmation hearing, as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign"
protesting the firing the Amb. Evans. On April 24th, tens of
thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity with the U.S.
Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in honoring the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
————————————— ——
Regional Integration and Military Aid Parity
——————————————- —
In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades
of Armenia and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb.
Hoagland was adamant about the Administration’s decision not to
fund any project that would hinder regional integration and
cooperation. When asked about efforts to maintain military aid
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit to
equal allocations of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen
reminded the nominee that the Senate plays a central role in
ensuring military aid parity and that he would continue to work
hard to ensure the aid balance is maintained.
————————————- ————————–
Sen. Biden Asks Secretary Rice for Answers on Amb. Evans Recall
——————————————- ——————–
Just days before the Senate confirmation hearing, Foreign Relations
Committee Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) expressed concern to
Secretary Condoleezza Rice regarding the circumstances surrounding
the recall of Amb. Evans, noting that he is "not prepared to move
forward on Senate action" on his replacement, until several key
questions are answered.
In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden noted that
"to punish an American official for correctly describing any
historical event raise serious questions about the United States’
commitment to the values of transparency and honesty." The letter
went on to note that, "in this instance, the allegation that the
Department would retaliate against an official whose only apparent
offense was discussing an act of genocide with American citizens
also damages our country’s reputation for upholding human rights
and democratic values." Senator Biden posed four questions to the
State Department, including one which asks: "If it is in fact the
policy of the United States not to characterize the systematic
killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, please explain why
these events do not meet any of the five definitions in the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide." The State Department response, written by Assistant
Secretary of Legislative Affairs Jeffrey Bergner, effectively
avoided providing a meaningful response to Senator Biden’s
questions.
—————————— ——————————–
Sen. Allen Calls on Ambassador-Designate to Respect Armenians
—————————————- ———————-
In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate
Hoagland "to be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to
Armenians, recognizing their heritage, their history, their
sensitivities."
The Scripps-Howard News Service, today, ran a story, "Ambassador-
to-be dodges Armenian genocide question," about Amb. Hoagland’s
confirmation hearing. The first line of the story reads:
"America’s next ambassador to Armenia is a verbal gymnast. He has
to be, to keep his job."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
