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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS
ON AMB. EVANS FIRING
"I remain concerned that the conditions under which his
nomination is taking place – the firing of the previous U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia for apparently speaking honestly about
the Armenian genocide — represents a larger Administrative
effort to silence U.S. officials who acknowledge that acts of
genocide were committed against the Armenians."
– Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)
WASHINGTON, DC – Concerns continued to grow this week regarding the
circumstances surrounding the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) becomes the
ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee
to call for clarification of the State Department policy on the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA.)
In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia
Richard Hoagland, Sen. Feingold noted that, "I want to express my
deep concern about the Administration’s reluctance to acknowledge
the acts of genocide that were committed against the Armenians
almost a century ago. The Administration’s continued failure to
recognize these tragic events is troubling to me and to those who
share my belief that we should speak honestly about, and insist on
accountability for, past crimes against humanity and genocide."
Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen.
Feingold asked:
Why was Ambassador Evans removed as Ambassador to Armenia?
What is the Administration’s policy towards acknowledging
the Armenian genocide and what boundaries have been set for
your position as Ambassador to address or speak about the
Armenian genocide?
Do you anticipate that the departure of your predecessor,
Mr. Evans, will harm U.S.-Armenian relations? How do you
plan to respond to those in the Armenian community who are
upset about his departure?
Sen. Feingold’s concerns are shared by half of the influential
Senate Foreign Relations Committee members – including Senators
George Allen (R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN),
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
– who must first approve Amb. Evans’ replacement prior to a full
Senate confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
delayed action on Ambassador Designate Hoagland, while quickly
voting for the incoming Ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland, who
were before the Committee the same day as Ambassador Designate
Hoagland.
During the June 28th nomination hearing, Sen. George Allen (R-VA),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pressed the
nominee for an explanation of the State Department’s guidance
regarding the use of the word "genocide" to properly characterize
this crime against humanity. Senators Allen and Coleman peppered
the nominee with numerous questions and expressed frustration as
the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of
the questions, resorting to the use of euphemisms.
In addition, Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have
urged Secretary Rice to reconsider the decision to recall Amb.
Evans. Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House
Members have directed questions to State Department officials,
calling for answers surrounding the controversial firing of Amb.
Evans, including 60 Representatives who joined Rep. Edward Markey
(D-MA) in a letter to Secretary Rice, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
who submitted questions to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried,
and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who submitted questions to Secretary
Rice. Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry also asked
Secretary Rice for clarification on Amb. Evans’ dismissal. The
Administration has either failed to provide responses or provided
responses, which have been largely perfunctory, citing that
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no
clear insight into the State Department’s decision to dismiss the
career diplomat after 35 years of distinguished service.
The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements before
American audiences in the United States, 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.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
