Monday, April 24, 2006

Letter to U.S. Secretary of State...John Evans recall

Dear Secretary of State Rice,

I am writing you on this day of April 24, 2006, the day marking the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish government.

The reason for my writing comes as there is talk in the Armenian community of the recall of our beloved American Ambassador John Evans. It is said his recall was triggered from his personal recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, though there has not yet been an official statement from your office to confirm this.

If in fact our dear Ambassador is being recalled for this reason, I am saddened and object to such a move from your office.

Since the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Ambassador Evans is the person that I feel has best represented America in Armenia.

On the ground in Armenia, I am witness that the common people who know of Ambassador Evans recognize him as being a decent human being, the kind of human being that we should want the international community to perceive Americans as being. True, trusting and strong.

As an American citizen who lives and works in Armenia, I have to tell you that Ambassador Evans is doing a fine job in representing America the way I think America should be represented.

If you do have intentions to recall him, I would reconsider this decision. Rest assured that you have the right person in the right place, creating strong bridges of understanding between the United States and the Republic of Armenia. These same bridges would undoubtedly crumble by recalling him for expressing the courage of his convictions.

Today, we commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Genocide of 1.5 million Christian Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish government. Yet the leaders of Turkey today continue to deny that this heinous crime against humanity was genocide. By recalling Ambassador Evans, the United States sends a message to the international community of their tolerance of genocide and their complicity with the perpetrators.

I pray that Ambassador Evans will not be added to our list of martyrs of 1915. Enough damage has been done. Let’s not perpetuate matters by making the Ambassador pay the ultimate penalty.

Very truly yours,

Ara Manoogian
United States Citizen

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