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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
June 30, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATE DELAYS CONFIRMATION VOTE
ON ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
-- Seven Members of the Foreign Relations
Committee Press the Administration to
Explain its Policy on the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC - In the wake of this past Wednesday's contentious
Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing for
Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland, panel members
John Kerry (D-MA), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have each submitted a series of detailed
written questions asking the nominee to explain the guidance he has
received from the State Department concerning its policy on the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee (ANCA).
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) also sent a letter of inquiry this
week concerning the recall of the current U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans following his statements affirming the Armenian
Genocide.
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.
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland's June 28th appearance before the
Foreign Relations Committee was alongside nominees for the U.S.
ambassadorships to Ireland and Switzerland, who were subsequently
approved by the Committee and then the full Senate on June 29th.
In contrast, the Committee deferred action on confirming the
proposed new ambassador to Armenia.
"Seven of the eighteen members of the Foreign Relations Committee -
over one third of this influential panel - are already on record
raising serious concerns about confirming a new ambassador to
Yerevan before receiving a full, open, and official explanation of
the circumstances surrounding the recall of our current ambassador,
the instructions given to our prospective ambassador, and - more
broadly - the exact nature of our government's policy on the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In light of
the seriousness of these issues - and the lack of responsiveness
from the Administration - we were gratified that the Committee has
wisely delayed action on the new ambassador to Yerevan until these
fundamental questions have been answered."
In the days leading up to the confirmation hearing, Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-DE) asked
Secretary Condoleezza Rice for a thorough explanation of the
circumstances of the premature recall of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Marshall Evans over his public comments affirming the Armenian
Genocide. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden, a
potential 2008 Presidential candidate, stated that he would "not be
prepared to move forward with any Senate action that would
prematurely end his [Amb. Evans'] tenure in Yerevan" until a series
of questions concerning Evans' dismissal and the State Department's
failure to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide had been
answered. Sen. Biden wrote further to Secretary Rice, "Recalling
an accomplished American diplomat for speaking truthfully about
genocide could feed widespread cynicism about United States'
foreign policy. I hope that you will carefully reconsider the
long-term implications of this decision on the United States'
ability to promote freedom and respect for human life."
Senator Kerry submitted a three-page set of detailed questions to
the Ambassador-Designate. Among his inquiries was the following:
During your June 28, 2006 confirmation hearing, you stated
the following when responding to a question on the State
Department's policy on the Armenian Genocide: "I simply
studied the policy, I studied the background papers on the
policy, I know the policy and my responsibility is to
support the president."
1) Please describe, in detail, the source, purpose,
content, and conclusions of all "policy" documents,
"background papers," and other materials concerning the
Armenian Genocide that you reviewed and provide copies of
these materials to the Committee for its review.
Turkey has consistently denied that it committed genocide
against Armenians and in fact has jailed several
journalists for stating otherwise, as in the case of Hrant
Dink, a Turkish publisher who was convicted for simply
writing about the Armenian Genocide. And the criminal law
penalizing speech on the Armenian Genocide remains on the
books in Turkey.
1) What is the Administration's position on these
imprisonments?
2) Do you believe the policy of non-recognition encourages
the repressive actions taken by Turkey?
Senator Sarbanes, who spoke at Wednesday's confirmation hearing,
followed up today with a set of seven additional questions:
1) How many people died, and during what period, in the
Armenian Genocide?
2) What were the causes of these deaths?
3) What actions were taken by U.S. diplomats in Turkey at
that time to warn and report on the events?
4) What steps were taken to punish perpetrators of the
Armenian genocide?
5) How does the U.S. define "genocide"?
6) Does the United Nations consider the atrocities against
Armenians to be a "genocide"?
7) Since the Ottoman Empire is long gone, why does Turkey
view discussion of the genocide as a reflection on its own
government and people?
Among the questions asked by Senator Chafee was a request that
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland explain "the State Department's
policy regarding statements by official US government
representatives, such as yourself, about the Armenian Genocide."
The Rhode Island legislator also asked if the nominee had "ever
been counseled to not refer to the events of 1915 as the Armenian
Genocide."
Sen. Dodd outlined his concerns in a letter to Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, stating that he is "interested to learn more
about the circumstances that lead to his [Evans] departure," noting
that "an effort, intended to destroy in whole or in part a
national, ethnical, racial or religious group, clearly constitutes
an act of genocide."
Last week, House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George
Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined with Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) in urging Secretary Rice to reconsider replacing Amb. Evans,
noting that "allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to
Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of Turkish
recognition, and will be an important step in establishing the U.S.
position on the Armenian Genocide."
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 the 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 at Armenian
American community functions, 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.
Armenian American response to Amb. Evans' dismissal has been
widespread with thousands calling on their legislators to take
action and demand answers. In a March 8th letter to Secretary Rice,
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian noted that "if, in fact, punitive
measures are being taken against Ambassador Evans, this would
represent a tragic retreat from our nation's core values. It would
also represent a new low in our government's shameful complicity in
the Turkish government's campaign of denial. Not only does the
State Department continue to be publicly silent as Turkey
criminally prosecutes its writers and citizens for speaking about
the Armenian Genocide, it appears the State Department is following
Turkey's lead by muzzling and punishing an American diplomat for
his speech and his acknowledgement of a genocide that is
extensively documented in the State Department's own archives."
In Yerevan, a candle-light vigil was held by hundreds of human
rights activists during the June 28th Senate confirmation hearing,
as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" protesting the firing the
Amb. Evans. On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow
ribbons in solidarity with the U.S. Ambassador, who had stood with
the Armenian people in honoring the victims and survivors of the
Armenian Genocide.
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
June 30, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATE DELAYS CONFIRMATION VOTE
ON ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
-- Seven Members of the Foreign Relations
Committee Press the Administration to
Explain its Policy on the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC - In the wake of this past Wednesday's contentious
Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing for
Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland, panel members
John Kerry (D-MA), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have each submitted a series of detailed
written questions asking the nominee to explain the guidance he has
received from the State Department concerning its policy on the
Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee (ANCA).
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) also sent a letter of inquiry this
week concerning the recall of the current U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans following his statements affirming the Armenian
Genocide.
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.
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland's June 28th appearance before the
Foreign Relations Committee was alongside nominees for the U.S.
ambassadorships to Ireland and Switzerland, who were subsequently
approved by the Committee and then the full Senate on June 29th.
In contrast, the Committee deferred action on confirming the
proposed new ambassador to Armenia.
"Seven of the eighteen members of the Foreign Relations Committee -
over one third of this influential panel - are already on record
raising serious concerns about confirming a new ambassador to
Yerevan before receiving a full, open, and official explanation of
the circumstances surrounding the recall of our current ambassador,
the instructions given to our prospective ambassador, and - more
broadly - the exact nature of our government's policy on the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In light of
the seriousness of these issues - and the lack of responsiveness
from the Administration - we were gratified that the Committee has
wisely delayed action on the new ambassador to Yerevan until these
fundamental questions have been answered."
In the days leading up to the confirmation hearing, Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-DE) asked
Secretary Condoleezza Rice for a thorough explanation of the
circumstances of the premature recall of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Marshall Evans over his public comments affirming the Armenian
Genocide. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden, a
potential 2008 Presidential candidate, stated that he would "not be
prepared to move forward with any Senate action that would
prematurely end his [Amb. Evans'] tenure in Yerevan" until a series
of questions concerning Evans' dismissal and the State Department's
failure to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide had been
answered. Sen. Biden wrote further to Secretary Rice, "Recalling
an accomplished American diplomat for speaking truthfully about
genocide could feed widespread cynicism about United States'
foreign policy. I hope that you will carefully reconsider the
long-term implications of this decision on the United States'
ability to promote freedom and respect for human life."
Senator Kerry submitted a three-page set of detailed questions to
the Ambassador-Designate. Among his inquiries was the following:
During your June 28, 2006 confirmation hearing, you stated
the following when responding to a question on the State
Department's policy on the Armenian Genocide: "I simply
studied the policy, I studied the background papers on the
policy, I know the policy and my responsibility is to
support the president."
1) Please describe, in detail, the source, purpose,
content, and conclusions of all "policy" documents,
"background papers," and other materials concerning the
Armenian Genocide that you reviewed and provide copies of
these materials to the Committee for its review.
Turkey has consistently denied that it committed genocide
against Armenians and in fact has jailed several
journalists for stating otherwise, as in the case of Hrant
Dink, a Turkish publisher who was convicted for simply
writing about the Armenian Genocide. And the criminal law
penalizing speech on the Armenian Genocide remains on the
books in Turkey.
1) What is the Administration's position on these
imprisonments?
2) Do you believe the policy of non-recognition encourages
the repressive actions taken by Turkey?
Senator Sarbanes, who spoke at Wednesday's confirmation hearing,
followed up today with a set of seven additional questions:
1) How many people died, and during what period, in the
Armenian Genocide?
2) What were the causes of these deaths?
3) What actions were taken by U.S. diplomats in Turkey at
that time to warn and report on the events?
4) What steps were taken to punish perpetrators of the
Armenian genocide?
5) How does the U.S. define "genocide"?
6) Does the United Nations consider the atrocities against
Armenians to be a "genocide"?
7) Since the Ottoman Empire is long gone, why does Turkey
view discussion of the genocide as a reflection on its own
government and people?
Among the questions asked by Senator Chafee was a request that
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland explain "the State Department's
policy regarding statements by official US government
representatives, such as yourself, about the Armenian Genocide."
The Rhode Island legislator also asked if the nominee had "ever
been counseled to not refer to the events of 1915 as the Armenian
Genocide."
Sen. Dodd outlined his concerns in a letter to Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, stating that he is "interested to learn more
about the circumstances that lead to his [Evans] departure," noting
that "an effort, intended to destroy in whole or in part a
national, ethnical, racial or religious group, clearly constitutes
an act of genocide."
Last week, House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George
Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined with Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) in urging Secretary Rice to reconsider replacing Amb. Evans,
noting that "allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to
Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of Turkish
recognition, and will be an important step in establishing the U.S.
position on the Armenian Genocide."
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 the 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 at Armenian
American community functions, 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.
Armenian American response to Amb. Evans' dismissal has been
widespread with thousands calling on their legislators to take
action and demand answers. In a March 8th letter to Secretary Rice,
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian noted that "if, in fact, punitive
measures are being taken against Ambassador Evans, this would
represent a tragic retreat from our nation's core values. It would
also represent a new low in our government's shameful complicity in
the Turkish government's campaign of denial. Not only does the
State Department continue to be publicly silent as Turkey
criminally prosecutes its writers and citizens for speaking about
the Armenian Genocide, it appears the State Department is following
Turkey's lead by muzzling and punishing an American diplomat for
his speech and his acknowledgement of a genocide that is
extensively documented in the State Department's own archives."
In Yerevan, a candle-light vigil was held by hundreds of human
rights activists during the June 28th Senate confirmation hearing,
as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" protesting the firing the
Amb. Evans. On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow
ribbons in solidarity with the U.S. Ambassador, who had stood with
the Armenian people in honoring the victims and survivors of the
Armenian Genocide.