RESPONSE EXPECTED FROM MARY JOVANOVICH
ARMEN TSATURYAN
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 17, 2008
Armenia
Will She Recognize The Genocide
A tough exam is in store for Mary Jovanovich whose candidacy was
nominated by President George Bush for the vacancy of the US Ambassador
in Armenia, on March 28.
The experienced diplomat that used to hold positions in different CIS
countries for many years and who is the US Ambassador in Kirgizstan at
the moment, before holding her new position must express a clear stance
regarding Armenian Genocide.
During her activity in Ukraine and Kirgizstan Mary Jovanovich was
famous as a champion of the protection of human rights and
establishment of democracy. Some people even state that she is well
`specialized’ in organizing `colored revolutions’.
So it is quite comprehensible that a diplomat of similar principles
can’t overlook an issue that has direct connection with democracy and
human rights, and the fate of the country and the people where she is
going to represent the interests of the United States.
We have already informed our readers that democratic Congressman Jim
Costa, representing Fresno, has recently sent a letter to Mary
Jovanovich asking her to express her stance regarding the Genocide of
Armenians: `It is very important for the USA to have an Ambassador in
Armenia. But before the Senate approves this candidacy it is not less
important for me and my voters to have knowledge about the attitude of
the future Ambassador towards the first genocide of the 20th century –
Armenian Genocide.’
The posture of the Democratic Congressman representing Vilyam Saroyan’s
native Fresno displays that the US Armenian Community continues the
struggle after the ex-US Ambassador to Armenia John Evance was called
back.
We must remind you that John Evance has been called back after making
an announcement regarding the recognition of Armenian Genocide. Richard
Hogland appointed as an Ambassador after Evance avoided giving any
clear assessment to the Genocide, which is why his appointment was
twice blocked by the member of the US Senate Robert Menendez.
Eventually last August the State department refused Richard Hogland’s
candidacy. Thus, at present congressman Jim Costa has the right to
clarify Mary Jovanovich’s attitude regarding the Genocide of Armenians.
Moreover, democratic Senator Robert Menendez has already announced that
he can yet again block the new appointment of the US Ambassador to
Armenia, if Mary Jovanovich refuses to recognize the Genocide of
Armenians. It is a matter of a principle for some part of the democrats
and for the two democratic presidential candidates it is a pre-election
strategy, as both support the recognition of Armenian Genocide.
And because the approval of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate
is indispensable for the appointment of an Ambassador in any country it
will be very hard for Mary Jovanovich to avoid Hogland’s fate.
We shouldn’t also overlook the factor of time. The pre-election
campaign in the USA is approaching a decisive stage. That is why at the
end of his term of office; George Bush will hardly manage to appoint
Mary Jovanovich, or to overcome the obstacles put forward by the
Senate. At the final stage of the pre-election campaign George Bush can
have a very bad impact on he rating of his party member Republican Mc
Cain and the latter will be completely deprived of the limited support
of Armenian Community in the USA.
That is the reason why Mary Jovanovich has to answer the question of
Congressman Jim Costa and later – the sober questions of Senator Robert
Menendez. Moreover, if for Mary Jovanovich, the annihilation of 1.5
million innocent people is not a Genocide it will be impossible for her
to appear as a champion of the protection of human rights and democracy
in Armenia.
Thus not only do President Bush and his administration over again face
the issue of the recognition of Armenian Genocide but the latter also
becomes a political factor in the whole USA entering the final stage of
the pre-election campaign.
The united Armenian Community in America, determined in the issue of
the recognition of the Genocide will never retreat and before November
3, it will be very difficult for the presidential candidates to ignore
their standpoint.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
