US PRESIDENT INTRODUCED HOAGLAND’S CANDIDATURE FOR POST OF ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR AGAIN

Regnum, Russia
Jan 10 2006

US President George Bush repeatedly introduced Richard Hoagland’s
candidature to the post of US ambassador to Armenia, the Associated
Press reports.

It is worth mentioning, Armenian society was extremely negative about
Richard Hoagland’s candidature after the diplomat presumed statements
denying the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. But,
despite protests of Armenian society including several NGOs, Richard
Hoagland’s candidature proposed by the president was considered and
accepted. New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez said on it that many,
particularly, the US president avoid giving assessment to the villainy
perpetuated in the beginning of last century in Turkey as genocide,
and Hoagland’s appointment can be a step backwards, which is not in
interests of Armenia of the Armenian Diaspora. After the elections to
the Congress in the end of last year, the Senate in accordance with
its regulations returned Hoagland’s candidature to the president that
was blocked earlier. At the same time, Senators Robert Menendez and
Harry Reid called upon the president to introduce another candidate.

Earlier, U.S. Charge d’Affaires Anthony F. Godfrey announced at a
news conference on November 8 that "despite the fact that Armenian
society was negative about Richard Hoagland’s candidature approved
for the position of the US Ambassador to Armenia, the US government
does not consider any other candidature for the post."