Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
January 10, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA OPPOSES PRESIDENT’S RE-NOMINATION OF HOAGLAND
— Controversial Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia was Blocked in the 109th Congress
" It would serve neither our national interests
nor the U.S.-Armenia relationship to expect
Ambassador-designate Hoagland to carry out his
duties under these highly contentious and
profoundly troubling circumstances."
— Senator Menendez and Reid, 12/1/06
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
today, voiced its opposition to President Bush’s re-nomination of
Richard Hoagland – a controversial diplomat whose denial of the
Armenian Genocide generated widespread Congressional and Armenian
American community opposition culminating in a Senatorial "hold" of
his previous nomination in the recently concluded 109th Congress.
In a letter circulated today on Capitol Hill, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian called on U.S. Senators to prevent Hoagland’s approval –
stressing that, " A genocide denier must not – and should never –
represent America in Armenia, a nation that rose from the ashes of
genocide."
The Hoagland nomination faced bipartisan opposition in the 109th
Congress – and was ultimately blocked by a parliamentary "hold"
placed by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) – after he disqualified
himself as an acceptable choice by denying the Armenian Genocide.
In written statements, offered in response to questions posed to
him during his confirmation hearing, he went far beyond the bounds
of the Administration’s already deeply flawed policy, actually
calling into question the Armenian Genocide as a historical fact.
A recent poll of Armenian Americans found that 97% opposed the
Hoagland nomination. Ninety-four percent of the respondents said
that they "strongly agreed" with the Senate’s opposition to his
nomination. An additional 3% noted that they "somewhat agreed"
with this opposition. One percent reported that they "somewhat
disagreed" with opposing Hoagland, and 2% indicated that they
"strongly disagreed" with the opposition to his confirmation.
In voting against his confirmation in the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) noted last September that,
"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."
In announcing his "hold" last September, the New Jersey legislator
cited the principled stand taken by former U.S. Ambassador John
Evans, who was fired for speaking truthfully about the Armenian
Genocide, underscoring his "great concerns that Mr. Hoagland’s
confirmation would be a step backward."
Citing the opposition of the Armenian American community and the
growing controversy within Congress surrounding the nomination,
Senator Menendez was joined on December 1st by incoming Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in calling on President George W.
Bush to withdraw the Hoagland nomination and propose a new
candidate to serve in this important diplomatic post. They
stressed that, in light of the broad-based concerns within
Congress, the extensive media coverage this issue has received, and
the strong stand of the Armenian American community against the
nomination, "it would serve neither our national interests nor the
U.S.-Armenia relationship to expect Ambassador-designate Hoagland
to carry out his duties under these highly contentious and
profoundly troubling circumstances."
On December 8th of last year, after the Senate failed to confirm
Hoagland, his nomination was returned to the President upon the
adjournment of the 109th Congress. With the expiration of the
Hoagland nomination, the President was free to offer a new
candidate for this diplomatic posting in the 110th Congress, but
chose instead to submit the same one, despite strong Congressional
opposition to his confirmation.
More than half of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and more
than 60 U.S. Representatives have raised concerns about the
Hoagland nomination and the State Department’s refusal to explain
the controversial firing of his predecessor, John Marshall Evans,
for speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide. The
Department of State has also failed to offer any meaningful
explanation of the role that the Turkish government played in the
Evans issue.
The full text of ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian’s letter follows.
#####
January 10, 2007
Dear Senator:
I am writing to encourage you to prevent the approval of Richard
Hoagland, a deeply controversial candidate whom President Bush –
over widespread opposition – has re-nominated to serve as U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia.
As you know, the Hoagland nomination was blocked in the 109th
Congress after he disqualified himself as an acceptable choice by
denying the Armenian Genocide. His written statements, offered in
response to questions posed to him during his confirmation hearing,
went far beyond the bounds of the Administration’s already deeply
flawed policy, actually calling into question the Armenian Genocide
as a historical fact. Ambassador-designate Hoagland has since not
provided an unambiguous public statement affirming that he does not
question the clear genocidal intent of the Ottoman Turkish
government against its Armenian population.
His statements are all the more troubling in light of the White
House’s continued refusal to explain why it fired the previous U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, or to reveal the role that
Turkey played in his dismissal. It has been widely reported that
Ambassador Evans was fired for speaking truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide at a community event. The State Department has
denied being pressured by Turkey to fire Ambassador Evans; yet,
U.S. Department of Justice filings demonstrate Turkey’s foreign
agent registering multiple complaints with State Department
officials on this matter.
In a letter sent to the Secretary of State in December, Majority
Leader Harry Reid and Senator Robert Menendez, who has placed a
hold on this nomination, called on the Administration to offer a
new candidate for this important post, noting the broad-based
concerns within Congress, the extensive media coverage the
nomination has received, and the strong stand of the Armenian
American community against the nomination. They stressed that: "It
would serve neither our national interests nor the U.S.-Armenia
relationship to expect Ambassador-designate Hoagland to carry out
his duties under these highly contentious and profoundly troubling
circumstances."
More than half of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and over
60 U.S. Representatives have raised concerns about the Hoagland
nomination and the controversial firing of his predecessor. In a
recent poll, 97% of Armenian Americans supported Senate efforts to
block the Hoagland nomination.
Based on these considerations, I respectfully call on you to
publicly oppose the Hoagland nomination and to use all the means at
your disposal to prevent his confirmation. A genocide denier must
not – and should never – represent the United States in Armenia – a
nation that rose from the ashes of genocide.
Thank you for your consideration of the concerns of the Armenian
American community on this matter. We would, of course, be pleased
to meet with you to discuss this matter in person, or to forward to
you additional materials in support of our request. If you have
any questions, please contact the Armenian National Committee of
America at (202) 775-1918 or anca@anca.org.
Sincerely yours,
Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman