SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS ON AMB. EVANS FIRING
WASHINGTON, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. 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.