PRESIDENT BUSH MAY USE THE SENATE VACATION TO APPOINT RICHARD HOAGLAND

ArmRadio.am
08.02.2007 17:40

US President George Bush may use the one-week vacation of the
Congress to appoint Richard Hoagland as US Ambassador to Armenia,
bypassing the Senate confirmation. Nevertheless, according to Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA) Country Director for Armenia Arpi Vartanian,
without Senate confirmation the official can have very week positions,
which is desirable neither for the US Administration nor for Richard
Hoagland. "Therefore, we cannot say definitely whether the President
will use this opportunity or not," Arpi Vartanian said at a press
conference today. Nevertheless, the Assembly has already announced
its position on this nomination. Arpi Vartanian notes that the
most essential for them is that the US appoints an ambassador to
Armenia. "This is our wish. We do not back the Hoagland’s candidacy. We
just consider that having an Ambassador is better. Blocking his
nomination we’ll not change the position of the US on the Armenian
Genocide issue," she said.

Turning to the recall of the former US Ambassador to Armenia John
Evans, the Assembly representative noted that publicly speaking about
the Armenian Genocide was unusual for US Administration. "It created
some problems. Besides, it contradicted the country’s foreign policy.

Of course, John Evans’s courage can only be welcomed. Not everyone
would do that knowing that it could endanger their career," Arpi
Vartanian noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress