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Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
September 25, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA PRAISES SENATORS KERRY AND MENENDEZ FOR
TOUGH QUESTIONING OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE FOR
TURKEY
Armenian Assembly Submits Letter Raising Concerns to Senate Committee
Washington, DC - The Bush Administration's nominee to serve as
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of
America to the Republic of Turkey, Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, was
questioned by U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
during yesterday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Senator Kerry questioned Jeffrey about a House Committee on Foreign
Affairs hearing on June 18, where Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried
stated "that the brutality against the Armenians starting in1915 was
'extraordinarily well documented' and that the assessment of former
Ambassador Henry Morgenthau was 'accurate' that is that there is no
question that the intention was not to move the Armenian people in a
peaceful way."
Kerry also reminded Jeffrey about what Assistant Secretary of
Legislative Affairs Matthew Reynolds wrote in a letter to Chairman
Joseph Biden (D-DE) that "our goal in bringing archivists from Armenia
and Turkey is not to open a debate whether the Ottomans committed these
horrendous acts, it's to help preserve the documentation that supports
the truth of those events." Reynolds further added that "the
administration further recognizes that the mass killings, ethnic
cleansing, and forced deportation of up to 1.5 million Armenians were
conducted by the Ottoman Empire. We indeed hold Ottoman officials
responsible for those crimes."
Finishing with his question he asked, "Can you assure the committee that
the Administration is not supporting rhetorically, financially, or
otherwise, an effort to convene a commission to settle an historical
debate that in effect is not a debate?"
Jeffrey replied, "We are supportive of anything the two sides mutually
agree on, and as part of any process there should be a full and open
review of the events of that time, provided it's mutually agreed on."
Menendez was quick to question Ambassador Jeffrey about his opening
statement by saying, "Ambassador Jeffrey, I'm dismayed as I heard your
answer to Senator Kerry, and the statements that Senator Kerry read to
you is the response to this Committee and to Chairman Biden, from the
State Department." He continued, "Well that's not what the
Administration, in their letter said, the goal is not to open a debate,
it is to help preserve the documentation that supports the truth of
those events. Now, what I heard you respond to the question is quite
different, so do you want to clear that up for me? The historical facts,
as I see it, have now been admitted to by the State Department and
clearly stated as such and I don't get a sense that's what your telling
us so that puts a complication in this process. Maybe you can help us?"
Jeffrey responded: "Certainly everything Assistant Secretary Reynolds
wrote is U.S. Government policy and I stand by it. What I was trying to
communicate was that it's also important for Turks and Armenians to move
forward on a joint effort to work on these issues, and come to, to the
extent they can, a common view of the historical events."
Menendez continued his questioning and asked, "Well if in fact we
already have come to the conclusion that the historical facts, as
outlined by Mr. Reynolds on behalf of the State Department in July of
this year, are that we indeed hold Ottoman officials responsible for
those crimes, why would we support an initiative that ultimately doubts
whether those are the historical facts? Why would we be supportive of an
effort that ultimately undermines the very position that our State
Department has?"
Jeffrey answered, "In conflicts such as this, we believe that, as a
general rule, and we apply this across the board in many conflicts, we
have and it's our obligation to our own citizens and to the historical
record, to have our own views, but also important to encourage both
sides of various disputes to try to come to some sort of joint
understanding of the past and a joint way forward for the future. Every
effort that can be taken for people to review openly the facts of that
period would be supported by me."
As the U.S. Senate debates whether to send Ambassador Jeffrey to Turkey,
developments continue to unfold in the South Caucasus region which
impact America's policies and warrant thorough exploration and
evaluation. While much of the media headlines have focused on the
Russian-Georgian crisis, as well as Turkish President Abdullah Gul's
visit to Armenia at Armenian President Serge Sargsyan's invitation, the
ongoing prosecutions in Turkey under Article 301 of its penal code and
the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
have not garnered much media coverage.
"At the epicenter of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey is the place where
our U.S. Ambassador has a unique opportunity to not betray U.S.
principles and can play an important role in helping Turkey come to
terms with its past," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey should be held to the highest standard
when it comes to U.S. efforts to combat denial and prevent future
genocides. Given Turkey's ongoing denial campaign, the Administration's
nominee has an opportunity to reaffirm the proud chapter in U.S. history
where our diplomats played a pivotal role in alerting the world to this
horrific crime against humanity. Therefore, our expectation is that if
confirmed, Ambassador Jeffrey will stand on the side of historical truth
and affirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide."
It is expected that Jeffrey will be discharged by the Committee, by
unanimous consent with a full Senate vote anticipated before Congress
adjourns.
Jeffrey currently serves as Assistant to the President and Deputy
National Security Advisor at the White House. A career member of the
Senior Foreign Service, he previously served as Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Earlier in
his career, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad, United
States Ambassador to Albania, and three other assignments in Turkey.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR#2008-068
Editor's Note: Assembly Letter and Video of Hearing found by following
links below:
Assembly Letter to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
http://www.aaainc.org/fileadmin/pdf_2008 _new/Turkey_Nominee_Letter.pdf
Video of Hearing, Questions & Answers
http://www.aaainc.org/index.php?id=376
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
September 25, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA PRAISES SENATORS KERRY AND MENENDEZ FOR
TOUGH QUESTIONING OF BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE FOR
TURKEY
Armenian Assembly Submits Letter Raising Concerns to Senate Committee
Washington, DC - The Bush Administration's nominee to serve as
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of
America to the Republic of Turkey, Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, was
questioned by U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
during yesterday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Senator Kerry questioned Jeffrey about a House Committee on Foreign
Affairs hearing on June 18, where Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried
stated "that the brutality against the Armenians starting in1915 was
'extraordinarily well documented' and that the assessment of former
Ambassador Henry Morgenthau was 'accurate' that is that there is no
question that the intention was not to move the Armenian people in a
peaceful way."
Kerry also reminded Jeffrey about what Assistant Secretary of
Legislative Affairs Matthew Reynolds wrote in a letter to Chairman
Joseph Biden (D-DE) that "our goal in bringing archivists from Armenia
and Turkey is not to open a debate whether the Ottomans committed these
horrendous acts, it's to help preserve the documentation that supports
the truth of those events." Reynolds further added that "the
administration further recognizes that the mass killings, ethnic
cleansing, and forced deportation of up to 1.5 million Armenians were
conducted by the Ottoman Empire. We indeed hold Ottoman officials
responsible for those crimes."
Finishing with his question he asked, "Can you assure the committee that
the Administration is not supporting rhetorically, financially, or
otherwise, an effort to convene a commission to settle an historical
debate that in effect is not a debate?"
Jeffrey replied, "We are supportive of anything the two sides mutually
agree on, and as part of any process there should be a full and open
review of the events of that time, provided it's mutually agreed on."
Menendez was quick to question Ambassador Jeffrey about his opening
statement by saying, "Ambassador Jeffrey, I'm dismayed as I heard your
answer to Senator Kerry, and the statements that Senator Kerry read to
you is the response to this Committee and to Chairman Biden, from the
State Department." He continued, "Well that's not what the
Administration, in their letter said, the goal is not to open a debate,
it is to help preserve the documentation that supports the truth of
those events. Now, what I heard you respond to the question is quite
different, so do you want to clear that up for me? The historical facts,
as I see it, have now been admitted to by the State Department and
clearly stated as such and I don't get a sense that's what your telling
us so that puts a complication in this process. Maybe you can help us?"
Jeffrey responded: "Certainly everything Assistant Secretary Reynolds
wrote is U.S. Government policy and I stand by it. What I was trying to
communicate was that it's also important for Turks and Armenians to move
forward on a joint effort to work on these issues, and come to, to the
extent they can, a common view of the historical events."
Menendez continued his questioning and asked, "Well if in fact we
already have come to the conclusion that the historical facts, as
outlined by Mr. Reynolds on behalf of the State Department in July of
this year, are that we indeed hold Ottoman officials responsible for
those crimes, why would we support an initiative that ultimately doubts
whether those are the historical facts? Why would we be supportive of an
effort that ultimately undermines the very position that our State
Department has?"
Jeffrey answered, "In conflicts such as this, we believe that, as a
general rule, and we apply this across the board in many conflicts, we
have and it's our obligation to our own citizens and to the historical
record, to have our own views, but also important to encourage both
sides of various disputes to try to come to some sort of joint
understanding of the past and a joint way forward for the future. Every
effort that can be taken for people to review openly the facts of that
period would be supported by me."
As the U.S. Senate debates whether to send Ambassador Jeffrey to Turkey,
developments continue to unfold in the South Caucasus region which
impact America's policies and warrant thorough exploration and
evaluation. While much of the media headlines have focused on the
Russian-Georgian crisis, as well as Turkish President Abdullah Gul's
visit to Armenia at Armenian President Serge Sargsyan's invitation, the
ongoing prosecutions in Turkey under Article 301 of its penal code and
the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
have not garnered much media coverage.
"At the epicenter of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey is the place where
our U.S. Ambassador has a unique opportunity to not betray U.S.
principles and can play an important role in helping Turkey come to
terms with its past," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey should be held to the highest standard
when it comes to U.S. efforts to combat denial and prevent future
genocides. Given Turkey's ongoing denial campaign, the Administration's
nominee has an opportunity to reaffirm the proud chapter in U.S. history
where our diplomats played a pivotal role in alerting the world to this
horrific crime against humanity. Therefore, our expectation is that if
confirmed, Ambassador Jeffrey will stand on the side of historical truth
and affirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide."
It is expected that Jeffrey will be discharged by the Committee, by
unanimous consent with a full Senate vote anticipated before Congress
adjourns.
Jeffrey currently serves as Assistant to the President and Deputy
National Security Advisor at the White House. A career member of the
Senior Foreign Service, he previously served as Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Earlier in
his career, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad, United
States Ambassador to Albania, and three other assignments in Turkey.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR#2008-068
Editor's Note: Assembly Letter and Video of Hearing found by following
links below:
Assembly Letter to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
http://www.aaainc.org/fileadmin/pdf_2008 _new/Turkey_Nominee_Letter.pdf
Video of Hearing, Questions & Answers
http://www.aaainc.org/index.php?id=376