I received two letters from both Colorado senators regarding my concerns of firing Amb. Evans. A serious and well-spoken follow up call had both senators get back to me right away. I didn't forget to mention where I work biggrin.gif:

July 31, 2006

[…]

Dear Simon:

Thank you for writing to share your concerns on the recall of John
Marshall Evans, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. I appreciate you taking
the
time to write.

It has been over ninety years since the deliberate genocide of more
than a
million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. For eight years Armenians
were
murdered, tortured, or forced into exile from their homeland. These
atrocities have been labeled as one of the most horrible tragedies of
the
20th century, and I believe it is important that the United States
recognize these appalling acts as genocide.

As you know, John Marshall Evans, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, was
recalled
in early March. Although I do not personally agree with the
Administration's policy to refrain from using the term genocide, it is
important to understand that Ambassadors are assigned to communicate
the
Administration's position on foreign policy.

I understand your concerns regarding this issue, and have co-sponsored
Senate Resolution 320, which calls on the President to ensure that U.S.
foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding of the Armenian
genocide, and characterizes it as such. The legislation has been
referred
to the Foreign Relations Committee, and if passed, I hope to see the
Administration modify their position and recognize the events of the
early
20th century as genocide.

Thank you for writing to share your thoughts on this important matter.
I
look forward to hearing from you again. If you would like more
information on issues important tot Colorado and the nation, please log
on
to my website at http://allard.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
Wayne Allard
United States Senator

Dear Simon:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the dismissal of John Marshall Evans, the United States Ambassador to Armenia. I appreciate hearing from you.

I can certainly understand your frustration over the possibility that Ambassador Evans was recalled for speaking out about the Armenian genocide – a tragedy that I have long believed must be fully recognized by the U.S. However, all foreign ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, and I look to him to provide an adequate explanation of the reasons behind Evans' dismissal.

As you may know, I was proud to co-sponsor S. Res. 320, a resolution calling on the President to ensure that the foreign policy approach of the U.S. reflects sensitivity to and understanding of the plight of the Armenian people who were persecuted, tortured, killed, and deported by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. You should also know that I joined many of my colleagues in signing a letter urging the President to recognize the mass slaughter of Armenians as genocide in his recent commemorative statement on the 91st anniversary of the persecution.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has delayed a confirmation vote on the Armenian Ambassador-Designate Richard Hoagland, asking that Hoagland answer questions about the guidance he has received from the State Department on reaffirming the Armenian genocide. I look to my colleagues on this committee to see that Hoagland explains his approach properly, and I would hope that that approach reflects a deep sensitivity to the tragedy of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

I will continue to keep your thoughts – as well as the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide – in mind as the Senate continues to deal with this issue.

Again, thanks for writing.

Sincerely,
Ken Salazar
United States Senator