Letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Condoleezza Rice

June 5, 2006

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
United States Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

We are writing to convey our disappointment over the apparent dismissal of the United States Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans. It is our understanding that Ambassador Evans will be leaving his post early, reportedly as a result of comments he made early last year.

In an exchange with Armenian American groups in February 2005 Ambassador Evans used the word "genocide" to describe the horrific atrocities that were committed against the Armenian people in 1915. We believe, and the reports from our diplomats at that time, make clear that genocide accurately described these events. Henry Morgenthau, then our Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, described these actions as a "campaign of race extermination." Several U.S. officials, including President Reagan, have used the term "genocide" to describe what happened to the Armenian people.

Allegedly the Government of Turkey was dismayed by Ambassador Evans' remarks and expressed this to the U.S. government. We would like clarification as soon as possible about Ambassador Evans' premature dismissal after 35 years of exemplary service to the United States Government. We look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Edward M. Kennedy
John F. Kerry

http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=0904744c-232f-44e6-a6c0-10dccc76052d