John Evans - a Victim of the Armenian Genocide

Though during his March 6-8 visit to Yerevan Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza characterized the head of the American diplomatic mission to Armenia, John Evans, as a "fantastic ambassador", rumors of Evans' recall persist. At a press conference on March 7, Matthew Bryza said that he had no such information. "He is a fantastic ambassador. He, like all of us, serves at the pleasure of the President of the U. S. It is up to the President to make his own decision. But I'd like to say that Ambassador Evans has built a wonderful team at this Embassy," Bryza said.

At the press conference, Ambassador Evans neither confirmed nor denied information regarding his recall. " I hope nobody expects any ambassador to stay forever. I do not know when I will be leaving Armenia and I have not submitted my retirement papers," he said.

Rumors of Ambassador Evans' recall have been in circulation for a year now, as have been speculations that the cause is his remarks made at a public gathering in San Francisco hosted by the Bay Area Armenian-American community last year. At the February 19, 2005 meeting, John Evans used the word "genocide" to describe the Armenian massacres and deportations in the Ottoman Empire. " I will today call it the Armenian Genocide... I think we, the U.S. government, owe you, our fellow citizens, a more frank and honest way of discussing this problem. Today, as someone who has studied it .there's no doubt in my mind [as to] what happened. I think it is unbecoming of us, as Americans, to play word games here. I believe in calling things by their name," he said. Ambassador Evans also disclosed that he had consulted with a legal advisor at the State Department who had confirmed that the events of 1915 were "genocide by definition". Referring to the Armenian Genocide as "the first genocide of the 20th century" he added: " We made many mistakes after WWI."

At the gathering, John Evans also insisted that "although the US follows a policy of territorial integrity of nations, everybody realizes that Karabakh can't be given back to Azerbaijan. That would be a disastrous step." Commenting on a statement by Ramiz Melikov, head of the Press Service at the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, who had said that there would be no Armenia left in 25 years, Evans said, "This was an outrageous, bellicose statement, and it brought all the bad memories of Armenians back."

But just a few days later, back in Yerevan, John Evans corrected himself by stating, "Although I told my audience that the United States policy on the Armenian tragedy has not changed, I used the term 'genocide' speaking in what I characterized as my personal capacity. This was inappropriate." Referring to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Ambassador Evans noted, " The US government supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the future status of Nagorno Karabakh is a matter of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan." At the end of his statement Evans said, "I deeply regret any misunderstanding caused by my comments."

Later last year, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), in recognition of his honesty and commitment to principle, chose to honor Ambassador Evans with the Christian A. Herter Award for "constructive dissent". But soon afterwards AFSA withdrew its award recognizing creative thinking and intellectual courage within the Foreign Service. O n June 9 th , 2005 the Washington Post revealed that the award had been withdrawn following pressure from "very serious people from the State Department".

A few days ago, responding to a reporter's question at a State Department briefing, spokesperson Sean McCormack said, "I'm not aware that we have recalled anybody. I believe that he's still serving as ambassador in Armenia."

Last week Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA) submitted a series of questions to Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried during his testimony before the U.S. House International Relations Committee - including a pointed question about reports that the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia is being recalled due to his public acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). As a follow-up question, the congresswoman asked for a clarification of any restrictions placed on State Department officials concerning the use of the word "genocide" when discussing the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians that began in 1915.

Harut Sassounian, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the English language California Courier weekly, wrote in his most recent editorial, "After months of uncertainty, it now appears that the rumors about his possible dismissal have finally become reality. The State Department recently finalized the decision to recall him. According to reliable Armenian governmental sources, Ambassador Evans informed high-ranking Armenian officials last week about his departure in the coming months, pending the Senate approval of his likely successor, Richard E. Hoagland, who is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan."

Last Friday, during a live interview with Shant TV, Armenian Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian said in response to a question about Ambassador Evans' recall, "I don't want to either confirm or deny the information. I don't have the right to talk about it."

If John Evans is indeed being recalled he will be the first US Ambassador to Armenia whose diplomatic term will last less than three years. Evans assumed the post of the US Ambassador in the summer of 2004. The other US Ambassadors John Ordway (2001-2004), Michael Lemmon (1999-2002), Peter Tomsen (1996-1998), and Harry Gilmore (1993-1995) all served in Yerevan for three years. Stephen Mann, who is now the American co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, was the first American Chargé d'Affaires in Armenia in 1992-1993.