HEARING OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: STATEMENT OF JOHN A. HEFFERN AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE TO THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
July 13, 2011
Madam Chairman and distinguished Members of the Committee, it is
an honor to appear before you as the President~Rs nominee to be the United
States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia. I am pleased to be joined
today by my wife Libby and our children, Lisa (and Ryan), Lucy, Sarah,
Woody and Alley. We welcome this opportunity to again serve our nation
overseas.
My mother, a naturalized American from India, could not be here
today, but I would note that I owe my interest in the Foreign Service to her
and to my deceased father, who was a WWII veteran and, briefly, an FSO as
well.
Madam Chairman, I am honored that President Obama and Secretary
Clinton have nominated me for this important post. If confirmed, I will
build upon the fine work of my predecessors to advance our bilateral
relationship with Armenia in all its facets: diplomatic, political, economic,
trade, and in our deep people-to-people ties.
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The Obama Administration has strengthened U.S. relations with
Armenia. In April 2010, the Presidents of our two countries held their first
bilateral meeting in 10 years and, when Secretary Clinton visited Yerevan
last year, it was the first visit by a Secretary of State to Armenia
in 19 years.
We have expanded development assistance to Armenia in several
areas, especially in governance, economic growth, and market
competiveness, and maintained overall funding levels despite budget cuts in
Europe and Eurasia. Specifically, including FY 2011, we have invested
more than $38 million since 2009 in democracy and governance
programming, including over $16 million for civil society development.
During this period, we have also devoted over $17 million to promote better
access to health care and launched a new 5-year, $22 million on enterprise
development and market competitiveness. Over the past 5 years, the
Millennium Challenge Corporation has invested almost $180 million in
Armenia to improve irrigation infrastructure, provide technical and financial
assistance to farmers and agribusinesses, and improve rural roads. If
confirmed, I would like to work on expanding the U.S.-Armenia trade
relationship, building on the already strong connections between Americans
and Armenians, to foster more trade and investment between our countries.
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On the political front, the U.S. has encouraged Armenia to improve its
human rights and democracy record, and we have seen some positive
developments this year, with the government releasing those still detained
from the protests after the Armenian elections in 2008. Armenia will hold
important national elections in 2012 and 2013, which are opportunities for
the Government of Armenia to demonstrate its commitment to democracy.
The Administration supports Armenia~Rs courageous steps to begin a process
with Turkey to address their history, and to find a way to move forward
together in a shared future of security and prosperity. Through the Minsk
Process, the U.S. supports Armenia and Azerbaijan as they work toward a
peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
There is still a lot to do. If confirmed, I would continue the efforts of
my most able predecessor, Ambassador Masha Yovanovitch. I will seek, as
she did, opportunities to enhance our relationship with Armenia, should the
Senate confirm me for this position.
My 29 years as an FSO have prepared me for this assignment. During
this time, I have served faithfully in both Democratic and Republican
Administrations. Following my instructions from Washington, I have done
my best to advance U.S. interests and uphold American ideals. In addition, I
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pledge to the committee that, if confirmed, I will report candidly and
accurately to Washington my views and recommendations from the field.
My work at NATO with Armenia and other Caucasus partners has
introduced me to this complex and fascinating region. I look forward to
enhancing my understanding of the country and the region by working with
the Armenian Government, the Armenian people, and the Armenian-
American community.
Madam Chair and Members of the Committee, President Obama has
recognized and deplored the horrific events that took place in the waning
days of the Ottoman Empire. He has publicly called the massacre of 1.5
million Armenians at this time one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.
The President has urged Turkey and Armenia to work through their painful
history to achieve a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts. If
confirmed, I will do my best to fulfill the President~Rs vision.
Madam Chairman, I would like to thank you for your time today. I
want to assure you that, if confirmed, I look forward to working closely with
you, with members of this Committee, and with the Congress as a whole in
representing my fellow Americans as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic
of Armenia.
Thank you and I welcome your questions.