SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES YOVANOVITCH AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Ju ly 30, 2008

WASHINGTON, JULY 30, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Senate Foreign
Relations Committee approved Marie L. Yovanovitch as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
the Republic of Armenia.

According to the Armenian Assembly of America, Senator Barbara Boxer
was recorded as a no vote stating that it was "a vote in support of the
truth," while Senator Robert Menendez wanted to make it clear that his
affirmative vote was in no way an endorsement of the Administration’s
flawed policy on the subject of genocide affirmation.

Senator Boxer stated that "where the U.S. stands on genocide is
no small matter" and expressed her continued frustration with the
Administration’s policy, stating that Ambassador Yovanovitch "still
cannot use the word genocide."

Echoing Senator Boxer, Senator Menendez recounted the series of
questions he posed during the confirmation hearing and expressed his
continued concerns about Yovanovitch’s inability to provide her own
opinion regarding the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide and the
Administration’s failed policy in this regard. Menendez also pointed
out the absurdity of the Administration’s stance, which sends the
Ambassador every year to commemorate the genocide at Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial, in Yerevan, but does not affirm it.

Senator Ben Cardin also agreed that the Administration’s policy is
not helpful. He also reminded his colleagues of the International
Center for Transitional Justice, which concluded that the events of
1915 was indeed genocide.

Chairman Joseph Biden thanked the Armenian-American community, as
he acknowledged the presence of Armenia’s Ambassador to the United
States, Tatoul Markarian, at today’s proceedings.