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ANCA: Sen. Feingold Calls for Answers in Amb. Evans Firing

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  • ANCA: Sen. Feingold Calls for Answers in Amb. Evans Firing

    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 11, 2006
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    SEN. FEINGOLD ADDS VOICE TO GROWING CONGRESSIONAL CALLS FOR ANSWERS
    ON AMB. EVANS FIRING

    "I remain concerned that the conditions under which his
    nomination is taking place - the firing of the previous U.S.
    Ambassador to Armenia for apparently speaking honestly about
    the Armenian genocide -- represents a larger Administrative
    effort to silence U.S. officials who acknowledge that acts of
    genocide were committed against the Armenians."
    - Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)

    WASHINGTON, DC - Concerns continued to grow this week regarding the
    circumstances surrounding the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
    John Marshall Evans, as Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) becomes the
    ninth member of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee
    to call for clarification of the State Department policy on the
    Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
    America (ANCA.)

    In a written statement submitted as part of the Senate Foreign
    Relations Committee hearing on Ambassador Designate to Armenia
    Richard Hoagland, Sen. Feingold noted that, "I want to express my
    deep concern about the Administration's reluctance to acknowledge
    the acts of genocide that were committed against the Armenians
    almost a century ago. The Administration's continued failure to
    recognize these tragic events is troubling to me and to those who
    share my belief that we should speak honestly about, and insist on
    accountability for, past crimes against humanity and genocide."

    Amongst specific questions to the Ambassador Designate, Sen.
    Feingold asked:

    Why was Ambassador Evans removed as Ambassador to Armenia?

    What is the Administration's policy towards acknowledging
    the Armenian genocide and what boundaries have been set for
    your position as Ambassador to address or speak about the
    Armenian genocide?

    Do you anticipate that the departure of your predecessor,
    Mr. Evans, will harm U.S.-Armenian relations? How do you
    plan to respond to those in the Armenian community who are
    upset about his departure?

    Sen. Feingold's concerns are shared by half of the influential
    Senate Foreign Relations Committee members - including Senators
    George Allen (R-VA), Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE), Barbara
    Boxer (D-CA), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-MN),
    Christopher Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
    - who must first approve Amb. Evans' replacement prior to a full
    Senate confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
    delayed action on Ambassador Designate Hoagland, while quickly
    voting for the incoming Ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland, who
    were before the Committee the same day as Ambassador Designate
    Hoagland.

    During the June 28th nomination hearing, Sen. George Allen (R-VA),
    Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pressed the
    nominee for an explanation of the State Department's guidance
    regarding the use of the word "genocide" to properly characterize
    this crime against humanity. Senators Allen and Coleman peppered
    the nominee with numerous questions and expressed frustration as
    the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving direct answers to any of
    the questions, resorting to the use of euphemisms.

    In addition, Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank
    Pallone (D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have
    urged Secretary Rice to reconsider the decision to recall Amb.
    Evans. Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House
    Members have directed questions to State Department officials,
    calling for answers surrounding the controversial firing of Amb.
    Evans, including 60 Representatives who joined Rep. Edward Markey
    (D-MA) in a letter to Secretary Rice, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
    who submitted questions to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried,
    and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who submitted questions to Secretary
    Rice. Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry also asked
    Secretary Rice for clarification on Amb. Evans' dismissal. The
    Administration has either failed to provide responses or provided
    responses, which have been largely perfunctory, citing that
    Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, but giving no
    clear insight into the State Department's decision to dismiss the
    career diplomat after 35 years of distinguished service.

    The State Department, with the blessing of the White House, fired
    Amb. Evans in response to his February 2005 statements before
    American audiences in the United States, during which he properly
    characterized the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." Following his
    statements, Amb. Evans was forced to issue a statement clarifying
    that his references to the Armenian Genocide were his personal
    views and did not represent a change in U.S. policy. He
    subsequently issued a correction to this statement, replacing a
    reference to the genocide with the word "tragedy." The American
    Foreign Service Association, which had decided to honor Amb. Evans
    with the "Christian A. Herter Award," recognizing creative thinking
    and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service, reportedly
    rescinded the award following pressure from the State Department in
    the days leading up to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan's visit to Washington, DC to meet with President Bush.

    #####

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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