PanARMENIAN.Net

US State Department: Hoagland Will Get 51 Votes Required for Confirmation
15.09.2006 17:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s the prerogative, I think of any senator to put
a hold on a particular Senate action, US State Department Spokesman
Sean McCormack said, when commenting on the decision of Senator Robert
Menendez to `freeze’ the process of confirmation of Richard Hoagland
as US Ambassador to Armenia. Sean McCormack also noted, `In this case,
our nominee has been reported out of committee to the floor of the
Senate. We think that he should have an up-or-down vote. We think that
given the opportunity that he will get the 51 votes required for
confirmation. So we would hope the Senate would move forward on it,’
says a release at the US Senate website.

We remind that in blocking the Hoagland nomination, Sen. Menendez
stressed that, "as a leader and defender of democracy, it is our
nation’s responsibility to speak out against injustice and support
equality and human rights. But if the Bush Administration continues to
refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, then
there is certainly cause for great alarm, which is why I am placing a
hold on this nominee." He added that, "I will continue to work with my
colleagues in the United States Senate to make strides toward ensuring
that all people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, receive
protection from policies of discrimination and hate that lead to
genocide."