Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
June 11, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
UPCOMING SENATE AND HOUSE HEARINGS TO FOCUS ON ARMENIA AND THE
CAUCASUS REGION
— Assistant Secretary Fried to Testify before House Foreign
Affairs Panel on June 18th;
— Senate Confirmation Hearing for Ambassador Yovanovitch Set for June 19th
WASHINGTON, DC – The focus of two key Congressional committees will
turn to the Caucasus region next week as Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee members will, in an
exercise of their oversight responsibilities, have the opportunity
to question State Department officials on U.S. policy regarding
Armenia and the surrounding area, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
"In the days leading up to these important hearings, I want to
encourage every Armenian American to pick up the phone and to share
their thoughts with their legislators who serve on these two panels
– the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign
Affairs Committee," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"Simply call the Capitol Switch at (202) 225-3121 and asked to be
connected to your Senator or Representative, leave your message,
and then drop us a note at anca@anca.org with any feedback that you
think might be helpful."
The ANCA has also provided sample phone scripts and contact
information for Senators and Representatives at
Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Dan Fried will testify
before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday June 18th
at 10:00am EDT regarding U.S. policy toward the Caucasus region.
Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) and his fellow Committee members will
be focusing on a wide range of issues including the ongoing
blockade of Armenia, U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide, and
foreign aid. Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Nabi Sensoy recently
denied the existence of a Turkish blockade, arguing that there are
many Armenians who serve as "nannies" to Turkish children. The
World Bank estimates that Turkey and Azerbaijan’s blockades of
Armenia reduce Armenia’s GDP by up to 38% annually.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA)
and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-
NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) recently introduced the "End the
Turkish Blockade of Armenia" Bill (H.R. 6079), which calls upon
Turkey to end its blockade of Armenia and asks the U.S. Department
of State to report on its efforts towards this end.
On Thursday, June 19th, at 2:15pm, the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee is slated to hold a confirmation hearing for U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia nominee Marie Yovanovitch. On March 28, 2008,
Pres. Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve as
America’s next Ambassador to Armenia. The ANCA has spoken to
Committee members about the value of carefully questioning Amb.
Yovanovitch on the many issues she will face as the U.S. envoy in
Yerevan, among them the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of Armenia, and the need
for a balanced U.S. role in helping forge a democratic and peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. These efforts have
been supported by extensive on-line outreach and a national
postcard campaign to key Senate Foreign Relations Committee
members.
President Bush’s previous nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
Richard Hoagland, was subject to two legislative holds by Sen. Bob
Menendez (D-NJ) and was ultimately withdrawn by the Administration,
following the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
The last U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, was fired
by President Bush for speaking honestly about the Armenian
Genocide. The ANCA led the Armenian American community campaign
opposing Hoagland’s nomination, stating that a genocide denier
could not serve as a credible and effective U.S. spokesperson in
Armenia.
Individuals will be able to follow both hearings live. Check the
ANCA Website the day of the hearings for the Webcast links.