ARMENIAN LOBBY IN U.S. STEPS UP PRESSURE ON BUSH
By Cihan News Agency

Zaman, Turkey
Nov 13 2006

The Armenian lobby in the United States has urged the American
administration to withdraw Richard Hoagland, appointed Ambassador to
the Armenian capital Yerevan.

Hoagland’s appointment is not welcomed by the Armenian lobby because
of his denial of the so-called Armenian genocide.

After the Democrats swept away the Republicans in last week’s elections
to take the majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, the
Armenian lobby has stepped up pressure on the U.S. administration of
George W. Bush.

If the lobby succeeds in preventing Hoagland from being ambassador in
Yerevan, it would prove that Armenian lobby has the power and political
clout to influence the U.S. president, a diplomatic source said.

This is seen as a "rehearsal" step before new draft bills on the
genocide are brought onto Congress’s agenda.

Even if the Senate blocked Hoagland’s appointment, President Bush
could appoint the ambassador bypassing the Senate.

The Armenian lobby disapproved of Hoagland because he had not referred
to an Armenian genocide in a speech given to the Senate in the past.