I got an interesting newsletter from Kenneth V. Hachikian, the Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America. Whether or not what happened in Armenia was a “genocide” has always been a topic of great controversy, but the Armenians consider it as such and have always faught for the correct terminology to be used when referring to what many call “just a war.”

Dear Friend,

I wish you could have been there.

Inside the Foreign Relations Committee chamber during the confirmation hearing for the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

Senators honoring their constitutional duty. Considering whether to consent to the President’s choice to replace the Ambassador to Armenia. At the urging of the ANCA grassroots - at this hearing and in the days that followed - they asked the questions that you - in your heart - have always wanted to ask.

“How many people died, and during what period, in the Armenian Genocide? What were the causes of these deaths?”

- Senator Paul Sarbanes



“Do you personally believe that these atrocities meet the definition of a genocide? If not, please specify why not?”

- Senator John Kerry



“I am not sure how we can continue to have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective unless they give recognition to the Genocide.”

- Senator Norm Coleman



“What instruction would you give to Embassy staff concerning statements about the Armenian Genocide?”

- Senator George Allen



“Not only should we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we should also not play political games with issues of genocide.”

- Senator Barbara Boxer



“Has the State Department received any communication - written, electronic, or spoken - from the Turkish government concerning Ambassador Evans?”

- Senator Joe Biden



The Fresno Bee described his answers best: “America’s next ambassador to Armenia is a verbal gymnast. He has to be to keep his job.”

He used every trick in the book to avoid calling the Armenian Genocide a genocide. When pressed to explain why - he avoided the simple truth.

And that, in itself, was truth enough.

The good news is that the Committee saw this and delayed its approval of the nomination - sending a powerful signal to the White House and Ankara. So did the Los Angeles Times, which this past Sunday published a powerful editorial opposing the nomination.

The bad news is that the Administration is still trying to force its nominee through the Senate.

A good movie to watch about this is Ararat, which is written and directed by the brilliant Atom Egoyan. Its tagline reads, “In a world full of denial, how do you determine who’s telling the truth?”