STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING RE: AMB. EVANS
Congressional Quarterly
March 14, 2006 Tuesday
Speaker: J. Adam Ereli, State Department Deputy Spokesman
[parts omitted]
QUESTION: Mr. Ereli, on the DOS Web site, regarding yesterday’s
taken question about U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans’ status,
you have put quote, “genocide,” unquote, in quotes.
I’m wondering why, if you can say so.
ERELI: I think because it was referring to remarks that somebody made.
QUESTION: Do you know whether John Evans was recalled or whether he’s
been recalled due to his speech on Armenian genocide?
ERELI: I think the question was answered in the — that was answered
in the question posted.
QUESTION: Should DOS employees have been advised not to use the term,
quote, “genocide,” unquote, when discussing the extermination of the
(inaudible)?
ERELI: No, I think our guidance on that is the same. And we posted
that guidance last week.
QUESTION: Is it not true that Mr. Evans’ 35-year diplomatic career will
be shortened because of the remarks he made, saying that Armenians
were the victims of genocide, since the U.S. government or the State
Department doesn’t believe what happened was genocide? It doesn’t
fit the definition of genocide?
ERELI: I really don’t have anything more to add to what we posted.
QUESTION: Well, what you posted yesterday was a bit of a dodge.
ERELI: No. I think it’s the situation as it is.
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: There is very strong reason to believe, in Congress and
elsewhere, that this man is going to lose out; he’s going to be
brought home early because of what he said.
ERELI: Look, I’d like to be able to — Ambassador Evans is our
ambassador and he continues to exercise that honor and privilege. And
he takes it seriously; we take it seriously. And I really don’t have
any more to add to that.