On Friday, August 25th, 2006 members of the Armenian National Committee
of Orange County met with United States Congressman Ed Royce to discuss
a number of issues of importance to Armenians both in the Orange County
Community and throughout the United States.
The meeting began with a message of thanks to Congressman Royce for his
ongoing support of Armenian issues in Congress. Most recently
Congressman Royce co-sponsored the Crowley-Sherman-Royce
Amendment to the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006,
prohibiting the Export-Import Bank from providing any assistance "to develop
or promote any rail connections or railway-related connections that traverse
or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that
specifically exclude cities in Armenia."
After thanking Congressman Royce, ANC members proceeded to discuss
matters that are at the forefront of the issues facing the Armenian
community today. The first item on the agenda was the recent recall of
Ambassador John Evans from his post as Ambassador of Armenia. Despite
numerous requests from the U.S. State Department, no firm answer has
been given as to the reason for Ambassador Evans recall and the ANC
wished to express its concern over the lack of any specific explanation on
the part of the Administration. Congressman Royce was receptive to our
concerns and commented that while no formal explanation had been given
for Ambassador Evans’ recall, that if the Ambassador had in fact been
recalled for speaking the truth about the Armenian Genocide, that it would
be a shame for him to be forced from his position simply for speaking the
truth.
The next item on the agenda dealt with the nomination of Richard Hoagland
as Ambassador Evans’ successor. During Mr. Hoagland’s confirmation
hearings he repeatedly refused to answer specific questions regarding the
Armenian Genocide, despite some very intense questioning from Senators
Allen, Coleman and Sarbanes. It was pointed out during the confirmation
hearings that it would be very difficult for an Ambassador to Armenia to be
effective without recognizing the Armenian Genocide as historic fact. The
ANC-OC made it clear to Congressman Royce that the Armenian National
Committee of America is firmly opposed to Mr. Hoagland’s nomination as
Ambassador to Armenia and that any assistance he could provide in the
matter would be greatly appreciated.
As a member of the House International Relations Committee, Congressman
Royce spends a great deal of time focusing on world events. Among his first
questions were the current status of the economy in Armenia and the
development of the country as a whole. The ANC indicated that while all of
the former Soviet republics face challenges, that Armenia has made great
strides toward the establishment of a free market economy and a truly
democratic system of government. Congressman Royce replied by stating
how one of the greatest hurdles that needs to be overcome is the near total
isolation of Armenia as a result of the blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan
and that steps need to be taken to help Armenia establish free trade in
order for the economy to thrive.
Congressman Royce is the Chairman of the International Terrorism &
Nonproliferation Subcommittee and he went on to discuss his recent travels
to Central Asia and Turkey, and that he was concerned by the rising
strength of Fundamentalist Islam throughout the region, specifically in
Turkey. In his comments, Congressman Royce noted that one of the
greatest threats to the security of the United States comes from
Fundamentalist Islam. With the Fundamentalist view of Islam, there is no
room for compromise. Those who are not part of the faith do not deserve to
survive. With such an extreme view, the rise of a Fundamentalist
government to power in a country such as Turkey could represent a threat
to nations in the West.
The meeting concluded with the ANC-OC thanking the Congressman and
both committing to work together in the district and in Washington D.C.
