ANCA Criticizes R. Hoagland's Re-Nomination as US Ambassador to Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), today, voiced its opposition to President Bush's re-nomination of Richard Hoagland. In a letter circulated today on Capitol Hill, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian called on US Senators to prevent Hoagland's approval - stressing that, " A genocide denier must not - and should never - represent America in Armenia, a nation that rose from the ashes of genocide." He also reminded recent poll of Armenian Americans shows that 97% oppose the Hoagland nomination.



The Hoagland nomination faces bipartisan opposition and was ultimately blocked by a parliamentary "hold" placed by Senator Robert Menendez. In written statements, offered in response to questions posed to Richard Hoagland during his confirmation hearing, he went far beyond the bounds of the Administration's already deeply flawed policy, actually calling into question the Armenian Genocide in 1915 as a historical fact. The day before Robert Menendez, after Hoagland's re-nomination by President George Bush, again blocked his approval as US ambassador to Armenia.