REP. COSTA CALLS ON NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR NOMINEE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.05.2008 16:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 8, 2008, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno),
a long time friend and supporter of the Armenian American Community,
sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, the new ambassadorial
nominee of the United States to the Republic of Armenia, requesting
her to answer questions regarding her views and opinions about the
Armenian Genocide of 1915.

"It is important that the United States fill this empty diplomatic
position in Yerevan, Armenia," said Costa. "But before she is confirmed
by the United States Senate, it is critical for my constituents and
me to know her thoughts on the first genocide of the 20th century:
the Armenian Genocide," he added.

"In light of the events that took place with previous ambassadorial
nominee Richard Hoagland, the Armenian American community welcomes
Rep. Costa’s tough questions to Ambassador Yovanovitch on the subject
of the Armenian Genocide," said Andrew Kzirian, ANC-WR Executive
Director. "It is imperative that the next ambassador of the United
States to Armenia accepts the importance of Genocide recognition,"
he added.

Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch currently serves as the United States
Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic.

On March 28, 2008, President George W. Bush announced plans to
nominate Yovanovitch as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. Yovanovitch will
appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for confirmation
hearings, followed by a confirmation vote by the panel and the Senate,
before she is officially appointed.