THE BEST OPTION FOR HOAGLAND TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM NOMINATION

Armenpress
Jan 17 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: To overcome the controversy over the
appointment of Richard Hoagland, U.S. President Bush’s ambassador
designate, to serve in Armenia, President Bush may use a "recess
appointment" mechanism to bypass the opposition raised in the Senate
against Hoagland’s nomination, Elizabeth Chuljian from the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) told Armenpress.

Bush nominated career diplomat Richard Hoagland as U.S. ambassador to
Yerevan last summer and reaffirmed his choice late last year, but after
U.S. Armenians accused Hoagland of failing to classify World War I-era
killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, pro-Armenian
senator Robert Menendez put a hold on him to block his appointment.

"Now we have to wait and see what decision Bush will take,’
Ms. Chuljian said.

Analysts meantime say another alternative would be for Richard Hoagland
to be withdrawn from nomination.

Under U.S. law, all senior government officials, including ambassadors,
must win the Senate’s approval, and any Senator can indefinitely
block a nomination and this is why Hoagland can never get Senate’s
confirmation as U.S. ambassador to Yerevan as long as Menendez keeps
his hold in place.

But under U.S. law, presidents are vested with an authority to appoint
officials at times when Congress is in recess. And Congress’ next
recess comes next month, between Feb. 18 and Feb. 25.

‘After all no one would like the USA to be represented in Armenia by
an ambassador who would not have influence and would not be able to
work effectively," Chuljian said.

If a recess appointment nevertheless happens, Hoagland’s tenure would
last until the next Congress convenes in January 2009.

In a related development, four pro-Armenian congressmen are expected
to introduce formally this or next week a fresh resolution for the
Armenian genocide’s recognition by the House of Representatives.

The resolution will be sponsored by California Democrat Adam Schiff,
California Republican George Radanovich, New Jersey Democrat Frank
Pallone and Michigan Republican Joe Knollenberg, and is expected to
be cosponsored by more than 150 lawmakers.