Armenian National Committee of San Francisco-Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: 415.387.3433
Fax: 415.751.0617
E-mail: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
March 16, 2007
Contact: Matt Senekerimian
Tel: (415) 387-3433
Ambassador Evans Salutes Armenians at Bay Area ANC Hai Tad Evening
San Francisco, CA – On March 10, 2007, Ambassador John Evans, who
recently left his post as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, saluted a capacity
crowd of over 400 at the Bay Area ANC’s annual "Hai Tad Evening,"
Saturday night. A 35-year career diplomat serving in Europe and the
Middle East, John Evans was U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia
from September, 2004 to December, 2006. In February, 2005, Evans told
an audience at UC Berkeley, "I will today call it the Armenian
Genocide…There’s no doubt in my mind what happened. I believe in
calling things by their name." As a result of his public statements,
Ambassador Evans was recalled from his position prior to the conclusion
of his term. He is now retired, and this month began speaking out for
the first time about his experience.
"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," stated Amb. Evans. "When I spoke out
at UCLA, Fresno, at Berkeley, about the Armenian Genocide, I knew what I
was doing. This was not a slip of the tongue. No one put me up to it, I
took responsibility for my words, and of course, I did pay a price. But
as a result, I’m free to be here with you tonight," said Evans, who
spoke at the Khatchaturian Armenian Community Center in San Francisco.
Ambassador Evans briefly described some of the circumstances leading to
his statements, and informed the audience that he would give more
details in a forthcoming book. "My efforts – and I did make efforts to
address the question more openly and forthrightly within the State
Department had failed. I could not even get the issue on the agenda,
much less engage in an argument about policy. At a certain point, I
realized that the way things are set up in the State Department, there
would never come the day when the issue would be dealt with honestly.
No one above me would do anything. No one below me could do anything.
There are real US interests in Turkey. They are predominant."
Evans also made clear his support for the official recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress, saying, "When an official policy
diverges wildly from what the broad public believes is self-evident,
that policy ceases to command respect." Citing the many eye-witness and
survivor accounts of the Genocide, he said, "The overwhelming consensus
of those sources is clearly, the tragic events of 1915, despite all the
complicating factors of war, rebellion, great power politics –
constituted genocide. The Armenian Genocide should be recognized as
such by this Congress."
Evans also spoke about the current situation in Armenia and the work
there that remains to be done. "I’m proud to have been involved in
implementing the official assistance programs that now include, most
importantly, the Millennium Challenge project," said Evans. Referring
to the upcoming presidential elections in Armenia, Evans expressed his
hopes for free and fair elections. "To the extent that the Republic of
Armenia can become an exemplary democracy in that part of the world, it
will win favor not only in Washington but in other Western capitals.
Now we all know that the challenges are immense. Political culture tends
to persist. This is not going to be easy. But as I’ve said before,
preconditions for a flourishing democracy are there in Armenia, and it’s
going to happen. I’m not sure when, but I certainly hope its sooner
rather than later."
Evans closed his remarks using quotes by Patrick Henry, a prominent
figure in the American Revolution. "At the time, Patrick Henry was
considered a hothead and a rabble-rouser," Evans said. "In another
time, I can imagine Patrick Henry saying instead of, ‘Give me liberty or
give me death,’ ‘Mah Gam Azadoutioun.’ But actually, so far as I know,
Patrick Henry was not a Dashnag," Evans said to laughter and applause.
"But seriously, my friends, Patrick Henry said something else in that
famous speech that is worth recalling: ‘The battle is not to the strong
alone. It is to the vigilant, the active, and the brave.’ So in the
spirit of Patrick Henry, I urge you to stick to your beliefs, and
continue to fight the good fight. In our American democracy, it is your
perfect right to do so."
Roxanne Makasdjian, Chairperson of the Bay Area Armenian National
Committee, opened the evening with a discussion of the events of the
last year, including the assassination of Armenian newspaper editor
Hrant Dink in Turkey, the Evan’s dismissal, the nomination of Richard
Hoagland as ambassador to Armenia, and the Armenian Genocide resolution
before Congress.
"Hrant Dink’s assassination is inextricably linked to Turkish government
policies," said Makasdjian. "We must be on guard against attempts by the
government to use his assassination to further their denial campaign."
Referring to the writers and minority groups in Turkey who are now more
reluctant to speak out, Makasdjian said, "As if those effects aren’t
enough, the Turkish government actually attempts to use Hrant’s
outspokenness as a way to demonstrate how democratic Turkey is becoming.
It makes public overtures to Armenia, not for true reconciliation, but
to communicate to the European Union, the U.S., and other nations that
‘There’s no need to pass resolutions recognizing the Genocide, because
we’re already on the road to reconciliation with the Armenians, and a
resolution would only antagonize the situation.’ "
"The truth is that it is Turkey’s Genocide denial that fueled the fires
that led to Dink’s murder, directly or indirectly, and for which it is
unrepentant," said Makasdjian." It’s the DENIAL that must end, not the
international community’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is
NOT THE TRUTH that must be suppressed and opposed, it is the LIE. It’s
the LIE that poisons the atmosphere in Turkey; It’s the lie that fuels
hatred and mistrust; it’s the lie that complicates Turkey’s relationship
with its neighbors and its allies. It’s the LIE that prevents
reconciliation. And reconciliation can only come through truth and
restitution for Armenians, and hopefully some redemption and
rehabilitation for Turkey."
Steven Dadaian, ANCA Western Region and National Board member,
congratulated the Bay Area ANC for its years of work advocating for the
Armenian Cause. "Let me thank the Bay Area ANC for their unparalleled
commitment and dedication to the struggle of truth to power. They’ve
done that very effectively for over 3 decades now. They’ve proven again
and again that a motivated and educated, relatively small community has
been able to produce results."
Dadaian spoke about the need for citizens to be more active in our
democracy. "The gap between the problems and solutions is the democracy
gap. That gap is the failure of citizens to allocate their time and
their resources to important civic pursuits. Hai Tad is one of those
civic pursuits." Dadaian discussed the efforts ANCA has undertaken to
bring to the attention of the Armenian-American community the true
motivations and voting records of government officials. He pointed out
that civic organizations do not oppose bills about the Armenian Genocide
or aid to Armenia and Karabagh, but individuals and groups representing
corporate interests. "It’s important that you as voters, as citizens,
understand the double-talk that goes on in Washington, DC. Our
organization provides that window."
Elizabeth Chouldjian, ANCA Communication Director in Washington, DC,
introduced John Evans. She spoke about the "firestorm" that was touched
off by his public statements about the Armenian Genocide and his
subsequent removal from office. Chouldjian also spoke out against the
State Department’s nomination of a Genocide denier, Richard Hoagland, to
become US ambassador to Armenia, and their obstinacy in re-nominating
Hoagland a second time.
Hrant Dink’s assassination also revealed the U.S. government’s
"shamelessness," said Chouldjian, describing how State Department
officials mourned Dink’s loss and praised his courage and decency, but
are fighting hard against a resolution commemorating Dink and calling
for a repeal of the laws under which Dink was prosecuted.
"As I look at the current situation in the State Department," said
Chouldjian, "I am reminded of a quote by the first U.S. Secretary of
State Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson said, ‘In matters of style, swim with
the current. In matters of principle stand like a rock.’ Is this the
State Department of Jefferson? Is this the legacy of Henry Morgenthau?
Are these the fundamental truths, the moral values that this great
nation is built upon?" asked Chouldjian. "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. 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."
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Photo Caption: Ambassador John Evans addresses the attendees of the ANC
San Francisco-Bay Area Hai Tahd Evening (Raffi Momjian)