SENATOR SCHUMER CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO WITHDRAW HOAGLAND NOMINATION

ArmRadio.am
18.01.2007 10:47

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), a long-time friend of New York’s
Armenian community and senior member of the Senate leadership, has
joined Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Robert Menendez
(D-NJ) in urging President George W. Bush to withdraw the controversial
nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as US Ambassador to Armenia,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Citing the nominee’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, Senator Schumer,
who serves as Vice-Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, noted, a January
17th letter to the President, that the nominee’s confirmation would
undermine diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Armenia, and
offend the Armenian-American community. The Empire State Senator has
been sharply critical of the Administration’s policy on the Armenian
Genocide and its premature replacement of the pr evious Ambassador,
John M. Evans, after he spoke truthfully in characterizing this crime
as a genocide in speeches last year to Armenian American civic groups.

"Genocide cannot be neatly swept under the carpet. Armenian Americans
are justifiably up in arms over the potential nomination of Richard
Hoagland as the US Ambassador to their native country," said Senator
Schumer. "Hoagland’s reluctance to classify the Armenian Genocide as
the 20th century’s first genocide is a travesty, which leaves us to
believe that he will march lock and step with the administration’s
politically motivated stance of denial." He added that, "In order
for justice to prevail, for progress to be realized and genuine
reconciliation to be possible, there must first be recognition of
the facts of history. That must start with a simple, unequivocal
declaration that the Ottoman’s actions during the period in question
were tantamount to genocide.

I cannot support Mr. Hoagland, because, regrettably, he has not met
that standard."