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ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]
SEN. MENENDEZ CROSS-EXAMINES AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE FOR ARMENIA
-- Senators Obama, Boxer and others to Submit Written Questions
WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) castigated the Bush
Administration's policy of Armenian Genocide denial, today,
dramatically pressing U.S. Ambassadorial nominee to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch regarding the Administration's refusal to properly
characterize Ottoman Turkey's systematic destruction of its
Armenian population as a genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The Associated Press, in an article today entitled "Nominee Refuses
to Call Killings Genocide," noted Senator Menendez's "intense
questioning" and the "prosecutorial style" of his inquiries during
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing. The
AP article, which was also carried by MSNBC and other media
outlets, quoted ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian as saying,
after the hearing, that, "we were troubled by Ambassador
Yovanovitch's refusal to offer any meaningful rationale for the
Administration's ongoing complicity in Turkey's denials."
Sen. Menendez, who had placed two consecutive holds on previous
ambassadorial nominee Dick Hoagland for denying the Armenian
Genocide, meticulously questioned Yovanovitch by presenting
historical State Department documents from the time of the Genocide
and comparing those statements with her opening remarks.
"The US government - and certainly I - acknowledges and mourns the
mass killings, ethnic cleansing and forced deportations that
devastated over one and a half million Armenians at the end of the
Ottoman Empire," said Yovanovich in her opening testimony.
Following these remarks, Sen. Menendez presented the nominee with
several documents quoting U.S. Ambassadors to the Ottoman Empire
Henry Morgethau and Abram Elkus, and other U.S. diplomats who served
in the region at the time of the Armenian Genocide and documented
the destruction of the Armenian population.
Juxtaposing the eyewitness accounts of these U.S. officials with
the definition of the crime as outlined by the U.N. Convention on
the Punishment and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide, Sen.
Menendez asked whether the President's annual April 24th remarks,
Yovanovitch's prepared statements, and her responses regarding U.S.
diplomatic reporting matched the U.N. Convention, to which the U.S.
is a party. Amb. Yovanovitch sidestepped this question, stating
instead that it is the President and the State Department who set
the policy of defining historic events. In her testimony, she
publicly confirmed that "It has been President Bush's policy, as
well as that of previous presidents of both parties, not to use
that term."
Sen. Menendez responded, "It is a shame that career foreign service
officers have to be brought before the Committee and find
difficulty in acknowledging historical facts, and find difficulty
in acknowledging the realities of what has been internationally
recognized." He went on to state, "And it is amazing to me that we
can talk about millions, a million and a half human beings who were
slaughtered, we can talk about those who were raped, we can talk
about those who were forcibly pushed out of their country, and we
can have presidential acknowledgements of that, but then we cannot
call it what it is. It is a ridiculous dance that the
Administration is doing on the use of the term genocide. It is an
attempt to suggest that we don't want to strain our relationships
with Turkey... I believe acknowledging historical facts as they are
is a principal that is easily understood both at home and abroad.
So while the Administration believes that this policy benefits us
vis-a-vis our relationship with Turkey, I think they should also
recognize that it hurts our relationship elsewhere and it tarnishes
the United States' history of being a place where truth is spoken
to power, and acknowledgment of our failures of the past make us
stronger, not weaker; recognizing the evils of the past do not trap
us, but they set us free."
The complete exchange between Sen. Menendez and Amb. Yovanovitch
can be watched on the ANCA website at:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_relea ses.php?prid=3D1516
"We join with Armenian Americans across the nation in thanking
Senator Menendez for his courage and determination in holding the
Bush Administration accountable for its deeply flawed policy of
enabling Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Today's Senate hearing with
Ambassador Yovanovitch, much like yesterday's testimony before a
U.S. House panel by Assistant Secretary Fried, confirms the sad
reality that our government has allowed a foreign nation to impose
a 'gag rule' on America's right to speak truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide."
"We look forward to carefully reviewing Ambassador Yovanovitch's
responses to the written questions that will be posed by Members of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in order to get a fuller
understanding of her ability to effectively represent U.S.
interests and American values as our Ambassador to Yerevan," added
Hamparian.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) who chaired the confirmation hearing
concurred with Sen. Menendez, noting that "there is no question in
my mind, that facts speak for themselves, and what happened was
genocide... In Armenia we need an ambassador... who understands
the historical facts, and has the historical facts correctly
stated." Sen. Cardin also questioned Amb. Yovanovitch on the
recent elections in Armenia and urged the Ambassadorial nominee to
Austria to help secure Austria's support for Turkey's membership in
the European Union.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released a statement to coincide with
Amb. Yavanovitch's confirmation hearing, noting her outrage at the
firing of former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans for speaking
truthfully about the Genocide. "It is bad enough that Armenians
everywhere have to endure a U.S. President who refuses to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide despite earlier promises to the
contrary. But Armenians were also recently forced to witness the
dismissal of a career U.S. diplomat, Ambassador John Evans, who
expressed his personal view that it is long past time that the
United States call one of the greatest events of deliberate mass
murder in the 20th century by its rightful name - genocide... I
could not agree with Ambassador Evans more."
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has submitted a set of questions for the
record in which he reaffirmed the importance of recognizing the
killing of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1923 as genocide.
The full text of Amb. Yovanovitch's testimony is provided below.
#####
Testimony of Marie L. Yovanovitch
Ambassador-Designate to Armenia
June 19, 2008
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored by the
confidence that President Bush and Secretary Rice have shown in me
by nominating me for the post of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. If
confirmed, I pledge to build on my 22 years of service to our
country to protect and defend American interests in the
increasingly vital region of the South Caucasus.
Only in the United States would it be possible for someone like me
- a first generation immigrant to the United States -- to appear
before you as an Ambassadorial nominee. My father fled the Soviets
and then the Nazis. My maternal grandfather escaped from Russia
after the revolution and raised his family in wartime Germany,
where my mother grew up stateless. My parents brought me to this
country in search of a safe harbor, a harbor that provided freedom
and opportunity, dignity and respect.
The United States offered our family a second chance, just as so
many Armenian-Americans received a second chance in our country
after they were driven out of the Ottoman Empire. In no way do I
want to equate my own family history with that of Americans of
Armenian heritage here in the United States. But I do wish to
convey that I understand from personal experience that the events
of the past can haunt the present and that individuals, born a
generation or more after apocalyptic events, seek recognition of
the injustices of the past.
The U.S. government - and certainly I - acknowledges and mourns the
mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and forced deportations that
devastated over one and a half million Armenians at the end of the
Ottoman Empire. The United States recognizes these events as one
of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the "Medz Yeghern" or
Great Calamity, as many Armenians refer to it. That is why every
April the President honors the victims and expresses American
solidarity with the Armenian people on Remembrance Day.
The Administration understands that many Americans and many
Armenians believe that the events of the past that I have referred
to should be called "genocide." It has been President Bush's
policy, as well as that of previous presidents of both parties, not
to use that term. The President's focus is on encouraging Turkish
citizens to reconcile with their past and with the Armenians. He
seeks to support the painstaking progress achieved to date.
President Bush believes that the best way to honor the victims is
to remember the past, so it is never repeated, and to look to the
future to promote understanding and reconciliation between the
peoples and governments of Armenia and Turkey. A key part of that
effort is to end Armenia's isolation in the region by encouraging
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and the
opening of their land border. The Armenian government has
requested that we facilitate this process. It will not be easy nor
will it likely be quick, but there are some hopeful signs.
President Bush believes that normalization can and should be
achieved. The result would be an improvement in the life of every
Armenian.
If I am confirmed, my priority would be to support the efforts of
the United States in working towards regional stability by
facilitating Armenian-Turkish relations and a peaceful settlement
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. Armenia is
isolated from its second largest neighbor, Turkey, and every year
scores of soldiers die along the line of contact with Azeri forces
in Nagorno-Karabakh. The status quo in both situations is
unacceptable, a deterioration unthinkable and clearly not in U.S.
or regional interests.
Some progress has been made in both areas recently. Success would
bring security to Armenia and great economic opportunities. This
is a goal worth pursuing, and, if confirmed, I would give it my
utmost attention -- not only by supporting government-to-government
discussions -- but by promoting people-to-people contacts and
partnerships, and other cross-border and regional initiatives.
Contact begins to build trust, and trust is the necessary first
step to reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Promoting good governance in Armenia is also a key U.S. goal. The
conduct of the recent presidential elections and their violent
aftermath in which ten individuals died were deeply disturbing.
The path towards democracy is rarely fast or smooth. Our aim is to
help the Armenian government and the Armenian people restore
democratic momentum and to renew their own stated mission of moving
forward to become a country where government institutions are fully
transparent and accountable and where rule of law is accepted by
all.
It is important that the Armenian government support an
independent, objective, and inclusive investigation into the
fateful events of March 1 and release those who have been held on
politically-motivated charges. It is important that the judiciary
becomes truly independent. It is important that freedom of
assembly, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression are fully
protected. It is important that the Armenian authorities show the
will to move forward with a reform program that is responsive to
the legitimate desires of the people and that inspires public
confidence in the country's political and economic processes.
We are looking at how our democracy programs can be more targeted -
- better supporting civil society, watchdog organizations, the
independent media, and development of the internet. Our programs
will continue to focus on anti-corruption efforts and strengthening
the rule of law.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Agreement in 2006
demonstrated our belief that Armenia was fulfilling MCC's required
criteria in the three broad areas of ruling justly, investing in
people, and economic freedom. MCC is a performance-based program
for governments that demonstrate commitment in these areas. In
Armenia, the MCC Compact is a poverty-reduction program that
focuses on building roads, improving the irrigation infrastructure
and training farmers. The program will eventually benefit 750,000
people, 75 percent of whom live in rural areas.
This is an important program, and we have urged the new Armenian
government to act quickly to improve its standing in the 9 of 17
indicators that it currently fails. The U.S. government is
committed to assisting Armenia in this process, but it is up to the
Armenian government to take the necessary steps, so that the
Compact program could continue.
The Armenian economy has seen great success and double digit growth
over the last six years. Our assistance programs -- through
technical assistance to improve the regulatory and legislative
framework, through strengthening of the private sector, and through
training in many sectors of the economy -- have contributed at
least in part to this success.
Over the last four years, Armenia has contributed to global
security by providing peacekeepers in both Kosovo and Iraq. In
fact, the size of Armenia's contingent in Kosovo was doubled just
last week. By supporting Armenia's defense sector reform and
greater cooperation with NATO, we enhance Armenia's ability to
assist in peacekeeping operations and to work with coalition forces
to combat global terrorism and make the world a safer place.
Armenia remains committed to overflight and landing rights for U.S.
military aircraft and has worked to improve its capacity to combat
both money laundering and terrorism financing. These are efforts
we have strongly supported. Our assistance for Armenia's work to
strengthen its borders and combat illegal trade in arms, weapons of
mass destruction, drugs, and people is important to regional
stability.
Our relationship with Armenia is broad and deep, both on a
bilateral level and between our peoples. The United States was
among the first to recognize Armenia's independence, and the first
to establish an Embassy in Yerevan. Over the past seventeen years,
the United States has provided close to $2 billion in assistance
and materially improved the lives of millions of Armenians. While
challenges remain, we expect our partnership will continue to
strengthen, and that we will continue to cooperate in all areas.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, if confirmed, I will do
everything in my power to ensure that U.S. interests are promoted
and protected, that the bilateral relationship flourishes, and that
Armenia's isolation ends and regional stability is enhanced.
Thank you.
#####
Note to the editor: Photos available upon request.
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]
SEN. MENENDEZ CROSS-EXAMINES AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE FOR ARMENIA
-- Senators Obama, Boxer and others to Submit Written Questions
WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) castigated the Bush
Administration's policy of Armenian Genocide denial, today,
dramatically pressing U.S. Ambassadorial nominee to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch regarding the Administration's refusal to properly
characterize Ottoman Turkey's systematic destruction of its
Armenian population as a genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The Associated Press, in an article today entitled "Nominee Refuses
to Call Killings Genocide," noted Senator Menendez's "intense
questioning" and the "prosecutorial style" of his inquiries during
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing. The
AP article, which was also carried by MSNBC and other media
outlets, quoted ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian as saying,
after the hearing, that, "we were troubled by Ambassador
Yovanovitch's refusal to offer any meaningful rationale for the
Administration's ongoing complicity in Turkey's denials."
Sen. Menendez, who had placed two consecutive holds on previous
ambassadorial nominee Dick Hoagland for denying the Armenian
Genocide, meticulously questioned Yovanovitch by presenting
historical State Department documents from the time of the Genocide
and comparing those statements with her opening remarks.
"The US government - and certainly I - acknowledges and mourns the
mass killings, ethnic cleansing and forced deportations that
devastated over one and a half million Armenians at the end of the
Ottoman Empire," said Yovanovich in her opening testimony.
Following these remarks, Sen. Menendez presented the nominee with
several documents quoting U.S. Ambassadors to the Ottoman Empire
Henry Morgethau and Abram Elkus, and other U.S. diplomats who served
in the region at the time of the Armenian Genocide and documented
the destruction of the Armenian population.
Juxtaposing the eyewitness accounts of these U.S. officials with
the definition of the crime as outlined by the U.N. Convention on
the Punishment and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide, Sen.
Menendez asked whether the President's annual April 24th remarks,
Yovanovitch's prepared statements, and her responses regarding U.S.
diplomatic reporting matched the U.N. Convention, to which the U.S.
is a party. Amb. Yovanovitch sidestepped this question, stating
instead that it is the President and the State Department who set
the policy of defining historic events. In her testimony, she
publicly confirmed that "It has been President Bush's policy, as
well as that of previous presidents of both parties, not to use
that term."
Sen. Menendez responded, "It is a shame that career foreign service
officers have to be brought before the Committee and find
difficulty in acknowledging historical facts, and find difficulty
in acknowledging the realities of what has been internationally
recognized." He went on to state, "And it is amazing to me that we
can talk about millions, a million and a half human beings who were
slaughtered, we can talk about those who were raped, we can talk
about those who were forcibly pushed out of their country, and we
can have presidential acknowledgements of that, but then we cannot
call it what it is. It is a ridiculous dance that the
Administration is doing on the use of the term genocide. It is an
attempt to suggest that we don't want to strain our relationships
with Turkey... I believe acknowledging historical facts as they are
is a principal that is easily understood both at home and abroad.
So while the Administration believes that this policy benefits us
vis-a-vis our relationship with Turkey, I think they should also
recognize that it hurts our relationship elsewhere and it tarnishes
the United States' history of being a place where truth is spoken
to power, and acknowledgment of our failures of the past make us
stronger, not weaker; recognizing the evils of the past do not trap
us, but they set us free."
The complete exchange between Sen. Menendez and Amb. Yovanovitch
can be watched on the ANCA website at:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_relea ses.php?prid=3D1516
"We join with Armenian Americans across the nation in thanking
Senator Menendez for his courage and determination in holding the
Bush Administration accountable for its deeply flawed policy of
enabling Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Today's Senate hearing with
Ambassador Yovanovitch, much like yesterday's testimony before a
U.S. House panel by Assistant Secretary Fried, confirms the sad
reality that our government has allowed a foreign nation to impose
a 'gag rule' on America's right to speak truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide."
"We look forward to carefully reviewing Ambassador Yovanovitch's
responses to the written questions that will be posed by Members of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in order to get a fuller
understanding of her ability to effectively represent U.S.
interests and American values as our Ambassador to Yerevan," added
Hamparian.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) who chaired the confirmation hearing
concurred with Sen. Menendez, noting that "there is no question in
my mind, that facts speak for themselves, and what happened was
genocide... In Armenia we need an ambassador... who understands
the historical facts, and has the historical facts correctly
stated." Sen. Cardin also questioned Amb. Yovanovitch on the
recent elections in Armenia and urged the Ambassadorial nominee to
Austria to help secure Austria's support for Turkey's membership in
the European Union.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released a statement to coincide with
Amb. Yavanovitch's confirmation hearing, noting her outrage at the
firing of former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans for speaking
truthfully about the Genocide. "It is bad enough that Armenians
everywhere have to endure a U.S. President who refuses to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide despite earlier promises to the
contrary. But Armenians were also recently forced to witness the
dismissal of a career U.S. diplomat, Ambassador John Evans, who
expressed his personal view that it is long past time that the
United States call one of the greatest events of deliberate mass
murder in the 20th century by its rightful name - genocide... I
could not agree with Ambassador Evans more."
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has submitted a set of questions for the
record in which he reaffirmed the importance of recognizing the
killing of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1923 as genocide.
The full text of Amb. Yovanovitch's testimony is provided below.
#####
Testimony of Marie L. Yovanovitch
Ambassador-Designate to Armenia
June 19, 2008
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored by the
confidence that President Bush and Secretary Rice have shown in me
by nominating me for the post of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. If
confirmed, I pledge to build on my 22 years of service to our
country to protect and defend American interests in the
increasingly vital region of the South Caucasus.
Only in the United States would it be possible for someone like me
- a first generation immigrant to the United States -- to appear
before you as an Ambassadorial nominee. My father fled the Soviets
and then the Nazis. My maternal grandfather escaped from Russia
after the revolution and raised his family in wartime Germany,
where my mother grew up stateless. My parents brought me to this
country in search of a safe harbor, a harbor that provided freedom
and opportunity, dignity and respect.
The United States offered our family a second chance, just as so
many Armenian-Americans received a second chance in our country
after they were driven out of the Ottoman Empire. In no way do I
want to equate my own family history with that of Americans of
Armenian heritage here in the United States. But I do wish to
convey that I understand from personal experience that the events
of the past can haunt the present and that individuals, born a
generation or more after apocalyptic events, seek recognition of
the injustices of the past.
The U.S. government - and certainly I - acknowledges and mourns the
mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and forced deportations that
devastated over one and a half million Armenians at the end of the
Ottoman Empire. The United States recognizes these events as one
of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the "Medz Yeghern" or
Great Calamity, as many Armenians refer to it. That is why every
April the President honors the victims and expresses American
solidarity with the Armenian people on Remembrance Day.
The Administration understands that many Americans and many
Armenians believe that the events of the past that I have referred
to should be called "genocide." It has been President Bush's
policy, as well as that of previous presidents of both parties, not
to use that term. The President's focus is on encouraging Turkish
citizens to reconcile with their past and with the Armenians. He
seeks to support the painstaking progress achieved to date.
President Bush believes that the best way to honor the victims is
to remember the past, so it is never repeated, and to look to the
future to promote understanding and reconciliation between the
peoples and governments of Armenia and Turkey. A key part of that
effort is to end Armenia's isolation in the region by encouraging
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and the
opening of their land border. The Armenian government has
requested that we facilitate this process. It will not be easy nor
will it likely be quick, but there are some hopeful signs.
President Bush believes that normalization can and should be
achieved. The result would be an improvement in the life of every
Armenian.
If I am confirmed, my priority would be to support the efforts of
the United States in working towards regional stability by
facilitating Armenian-Turkish relations and a peaceful settlement
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. Armenia is
isolated from its second largest neighbor, Turkey, and every year
scores of soldiers die along the line of contact with Azeri forces
in Nagorno-Karabakh. The status quo in both situations is
unacceptable, a deterioration unthinkable and clearly not in U.S.
or regional interests.
Some progress has been made in both areas recently. Success would
bring security to Armenia and great economic opportunities. This
is a goal worth pursuing, and, if confirmed, I would give it my
utmost attention -- not only by supporting government-to-government
discussions -- but by promoting people-to-people contacts and
partnerships, and other cross-border and regional initiatives.
Contact begins to build trust, and trust is the necessary first
step to reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Promoting good governance in Armenia is also a key U.S. goal. The
conduct of the recent presidential elections and their violent
aftermath in which ten individuals died were deeply disturbing.
The path towards democracy is rarely fast or smooth. Our aim is to
help the Armenian government and the Armenian people restore
democratic momentum and to renew their own stated mission of moving
forward to become a country where government institutions are fully
transparent and accountable and where rule of law is accepted by
all.
It is important that the Armenian government support an
independent, objective, and inclusive investigation into the
fateful events of March 1 and release those who have been held on
politically-motivated charges. It is important that the judiciary
becomes truly independent. It is important that freedom of
assembly, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression are fully
protected. It is important that the Armenian authorities show the
will to move forward with a reform program that is responsive to
the legitimate desires of the people and that inspires public
confidence in the country's political and economic processes.
We are looking at how our democracy programs can be more targeted -
- better supporting civil society, watchdog organizations, the
independent media, and development of the internet. Our programs
will continue to focus on anti-corruption efforts and strengthening
the rule of law.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Agreement in 2006
demonstrated our belief that Armenia was fulfilling MCC's required
criteria in the three broad areas of ruling justly, investing in
people, and economic freedom. MCC is a performance-based program
for governments that demonstrate commitment in these areas. In
Armenia, the MCC Compact is a poverty-reduction program that
focuses on building roads, improving the irrigation infrastructure
and training farmers. The program will eventually benefit 750,000
people, 75 percent of whom live in rural areas.
This is an important program, and we have urged the new Armenian
government to act quickly to improve its standing in the 9 of 17
indicators that it currently fails. The U.S. government is
committed to assisting Armenia in this process, but it is up to the
Armenian government to take the necessary steps, so that the
Compact program could continue.
The Armenian economy has seen great success and double digit growth
over the last six years. Our assistance programs -- through
technical assistance to improve the regulatory and legislative
framework, through strengthening of the private sector, and through
training in many sectors of the economy -- have contributed at
least in part to this success.
Over the last four years, Armenia has contributed to global
security by providing peacekeepers in both Kosovo and Iraq. In
fact, the size of Armenia's contingent in Kosovo was doubled just
last week. By supporting Armenia's defense sector reform and
greater cooperation with NATO, we enhance Armenia's ability to
assist in peacekeeping operations and to work with coalition forces
to combat global terrorism and make the world a safer place.
Armenia remains committed to overflight and landing rights for U.S.
military aircraft and has worked to improve its capacity to combat
both money laundering and terrorism financing. These are efforts
we have strongly supported. Our assistance for Armenia's work to
strengthen its borders and combat illegal trade in arms, weapons of
mass destruction, drugs, and people is important to regional
stability.
Our relationship with Armenia is broad and deep, both on a
bilateral level and between our peoples. The United States was
among the first to recognize Armenia's independence, and the first
to establish an Embassy in Yerevan. Over the past seventeen years,
the United States has provided close to $2 billion in assistance
and materially improved the lives of millions of Armenians. While
challenges remain, we expect our partnership will continue to
strengthen, and that we will continue to cooperate in all areas.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, if confirmed, I will do
everything in my power to ensure that U.S. interests are promoted
and protected, that the bilateral relationship flourishes, and that
Armenia's isolation ends and regional stability is enhanced.
Thank you.
#####
Note to the editor: Photos available upon request.