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Chairman Levin Questions Hagel On U.S.-Armenia Defense Relations
http://asbarez.com/108246/chairman-levin-questions-hagel-on-u-s-armenia-defense-relations/
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levon questions Hagel
Secretary of Defense Nominee Hagel Calls for Growth in Bilateral Defense Ties
WASHINGTON - In response to a direct inquiry by Senate Armed Services
Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), President Obama's nominee to
serve as Secretary of Defense, former Senator Chuck Hagel, called for
the expansion of U.S.-Armenia defense relations, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America.
Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel during confirmation hearing
`We would like to thank Chairman Levin for drawing attention, during
this especially closely watched Senate confirmation process, to the
importance of growth in the U.S.-Armenia defense relationship,' said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `We share Senator Hagel's
view that there is much room for the development of these ties, and
look forward, should he be confirmed, to engaging with the Department
of Defense on this matter.'
In response to a written inquiry by Chairman Levin, Senator Hagel
explained `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound. As with all
relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we can strengthen
our cooperation and partnership.' He went on to note that, if
confirmed, `I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to strengthen
existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of cooperation
that support Armenia's defense reforms, especially its peacekeeping
brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition operations.'
In the days leading up to the Hagel confirmation hearing, ANCA
activists across America, including those in Chairman Levin's state of
Michigan, urged their legislators to engage the nominee on a range of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Of special
concern were statements by Hagel opposing official U.S. affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide. `What happened in 1915 happened in 1915. As one
United States Senator, I think the better way to deal with this is to
leave it open to historians and others to decide what happened and
why,' then-Senator Hagel told a group of Armenian reporters during a
trip to Armenia in 2005. `The fact is that this region needs to move
forward,' Hagel added. `We need to find a lasting, just peace between
Turkey and Armenia and the other nations of this region. I am not sure
that by going back and dealing with that in some way that causes one
side or the other to be put in difficult spot, helps move the peace
process forward.'
Hamparian told Commentary magazine in December, that the ANCA objected
to the argument that official U.S. recognition of the genocide would
hinder peace between Turkey and Armenia. `As much as Erdogan and his
allies might like, the `lasting, just peace between Turkey and
Armenia' that Chuck Hagel seeks cannot be built on Genocide denial.
The U.S. and the international community must set an example by
condemning the Armenian Genocide - and speaking out against all
genocides, wherever and whenever they occur,' said Hamparian.
Chairman Hagel announced today his intention to bring Hagel's
nomination for a committee vote on Tuesday, February 12th, opening the
door for a full Senate vote later this week.
Chairman Levin's question and Hagel's complete response are both provided below.
Chairman Carl Levin: Mr. Hagel, what is your assessment of the
U.S.-Armenia defense relationship, and what steps, if any, would you
take to strengthen that relationship?
Former Senator Hagel: `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound.
As with all relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we
can strengthen our cooperation and partnership. That growth will be
based on shared interests and willingness to cooperate, available
resources, and capacity to absorb new capabilities and missions.'
`If confirmed, I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to
strengthen existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of
cooperation that support Armenia's defense reforms, especially its
peacekeeping brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition
operations. I would look for the United States to be Armenia's
partner of choice and help Armenia's defense establishment contribute
to regional security and stability.'
http://asbarez.com/108246/chairman-levin-questions-hagel-on-u-s-armenia-defense-relations/
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levon questions Hagel
Secretary of Defense Nominee Hagel Calls for Growth in Bilateral Defense Ties
WASHINGTON - In response to a direct inquiry by Senate Armed Services
Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), President Obama's nominee to
serve as Secretary of Defense, former Senator Chuck Hagel, called for
the expansion of U.S.-Armenia defense relations, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America.
Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel during confirmation hearing
`We would like to thank Chairman Levin for drawing attention, during
this especially closely watched Senate confirmation process, to the
importance of growth in the U.S.-Armenia defense relationship,' said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `We share Senator Hagel's
view that there is much room for the development of these ties, and
look forward, should he be confirmed, to engaging with the Department
of Defense on this matter.'
In response to a written inquiry by Chairman Levin, Senator Hagel
explained `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound. As with all
relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we can strengthen
our cooperation and partnership.' He went on to note that, if
confirmed, `I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to strengthen
existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of cooperation
that support Armenia's defense reforms, especially its peacekeeping
brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition operations.'
In the days leading up to the Hagel confirmation hearing, ANCA
activists across America, including those in Chairman Levin's state of
Michigan, urged their legislators to engage the nominee on a range of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Of special
concern were statements by Hagel opposing official U.S. affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide. `What happened in 1915 happened in 1915. As one
United States Senator, I think the better way to deal with this is to
leave it open to historians and others to decide what happened and
why,' then-Senator Hagel told a group of Armenian reporters during a
trip to Armenia in 2005. `The fact is that this region needs to move
forward,' Hagel added. `We need to find a lasting, just peace between
Turkey and Armenia and the other nations of this region. I am not sure
that by going back and dealing with that in some way that causes one
side or the other to be put in difficult spot, helps move the peace
process forward.'
Hamparian told Commentary magazine in December, that the ANCA objected
to the argument that official U.S. recognition of the genocide would
hinder peace between Turkey and Armenia. `As much as Erdogan and his
allies might like, the `lasting, just peace between Turkey and
Armenia' that Chuck Hagel seeks cannot be built on Genocide denial.
The U.S. and the international community must set an example by
condemning the Armenian Genocide - and speaking out against all
genocides, wherever and whenever they occur,' said Hamparian.
Chairman Hagel announced today his intention to bring Hagel's
nomination for a committee vote on Tuesday, February 12th, opening the
door for a full Senate vote later this week.
Chairman Levin's question and Hagel's complete response are both provided below.
Chairman Carl Levin: Mr. Hagel, what is your assessment of the
U.S.-Armenia defense relationship, and what steps, if any, would you
take to strengthen that relationship?
Former Senator Hagel: `The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound.
As with all relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we
can strengthen our cooperation and partnership. That growth will be
based on shared interests and willingness to cooperate, available
resources, and capacity to absorb new capabilities and missions.'
`If confirmed, I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to
strengthen existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of
cooperation that support Armenia's defense reforms, especially its
peacekeeping brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition
operations. I would look for the United States to be Armenia's
partner of choice and help Armenia's defense establishment contribute
to regional security and stability.'