While Members of Congress and the Armenian community demand a full explanation for the premature replacement of Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the Administration’s nominee, Richard E. Hoagland, reports the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). Senator George Allen (R-VA), who chaired the proceedings, noted that there have been serious concerns that Evans was forced to prematurely end his service as a result of those public declarations. “I don’t know this to be true,” Allen said, referring to the circumstances surrounding Evans’ departure. “[I] will say that many of my colleagues and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and have strongly encouraged the President to do so as well.”
Allen asked Hoagland a series of questions on the issue of the Armenian Genocide beginning with the Administration’s policy towards referring to the events of 1915. Hoagland responded that no one in the Administration has ever denied the tragic events that befell the Armenians. He said his visit to the Genocide Museum and Memorial in Yerevan was a very sobering and disturbing experience, but added that the Administration’s position is clear and that, if confirmed, he would uphold U.S. policy. Allen next asked him if he received specific instructions on how to address the Armenian Genocide. Hoagland answered that he hadn’t, reiterating that “whatever we say must be consistent with the Administration and its policy.”
Following Allen, Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) began his line of questioning. The Senator said he understood the nominee was in a difficult position, recognizing that Hoagland “can’t utter the word genocide.” He expressed hope that the U.S. would reaffirm the genocide, saying that “you can’t look to the future if you deny the past.” Switching topics, Coleman questioned Hoagland over the Turkish blockade against Armenia, asking him how he plans to address this issue. Hoagland responded that he would support talks between the countries, noting that a peaceful resolution to the NK conflict was paramount.
In his statement, Hoagland stressed the importance of strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties and said that if confirmed, he would work to advance democratic and social reforms.
