JOHN EVANS CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

ArmRadio.am
15.03.2007 11:41

Ambassador John Evans, the most recent US Ambassador to Armenia, called
upon the US Congress to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution. Evans
addressed a capacity crowd of over 400 guests gathered in San
Francisco for the Bay Area Armenian National Committee’s annual Hai
Tahd Evening banquet.

In his speech at the ANC banquet, Ambassador Evans discussed the book
he will be writing about the Genocide issue and explained how he came
to embrace the importance of the issue of addressing US policy on
the Armenian Genocide, stating "I do believe that in the long run,
my stance in support of recognition, will be vindicated, if not this
Spring, then at least by this Congress."

He continued later to state "The Armenian Genocide should be recognized
as such by this Congress." Evans also highlighted the importance
of genocide recognition efforts by the community. "…those of you
who’ve devoted hours of your days, years of your lives, fighting for
recognition for what happened to your forebears. I stand here tonight
in admiration of all of you. I salute you tonight, and I also thank
you for your efforts on my behalf, when it seemed to you as if I was
being done an injustice."

Elizabeth Chouldjian, ANCA Communications Director introduced
Ambassador John Evans. In her opening remarks she described the
ANCA’s key role in defending Ambassador Evans’ courage to speak openly
about the Armenian Genocide. " Our message to the State Department is
clear – come clean on the firing of Ambassador Evans, withdraw the
Hoagland nomination, and end the shameless pandering to the Turkish
Government," stated Chouldjian. "And if the State Department doesn’t
have the guts to stand by one of its own, to honor the man who tried
to bring dignity and morality to American foreign policy, then the
ANC and Armenian American community will."