The acting Charge D’Affaires of the US Embassy in Armenia Joseph Pennington arrived in Armenia in June 2007. Before that he used to work in Turkey for four years, as a Press Secretary of the Embassy. He will submit this post till the US appoints an Ambassador.
During his meeting with journalists on December 17 the Charge D’Affaires firstly expressed regret regarding the fact that under the well-known circumstances the United States didn’t have an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Armenia, for a long period of time, which however, “doesn’t hamper the full activity of the embassy.” Pennington, who wife is a Turkish national, journalist Amberin Zaman, fluently speaks Armenian, Russian and Turkish. He has learned Armenian within 10 months. However, he preferred to answer the journalists’ questions in English. He said that in near future the White House will nominate a new person for the Ambassador’s post. Let’s remember that the White House has recalled the candidacy of Richard Hoagland several times. The Senate voted against the latter’s candidacy because of the pressure of the Armenian lobby. The reporters wanted to know how things are going with the appointment of the new U.S. ambassador to Armenia, which has been delayed for a year. Joseph Pennington said, “The White House which recalled Richard Hoagland’s nomination the Senate did not affirm under the pressure of the Armenian lobby because Hoagland uttered against the recognition of the Genocide, will soon nominate a new ambassador. Pennington says he is not going to be nominated, his chances are zero. He says a new ambassador will be nominated, and the White House will announce it and they hope it will take place in the nearest future. Pennington says they strongly believe and they think so does the Armenian government that it is necessary to have a U.S. ambassador to Yerevan, and hopes the story of the previous candidate will not repeat, and an ambassador to Armenia will be appointed.” What is the attitude of the U.S. government toward the tough stance of Turkey on the Armenian and Turkish relations which offers stipulations in response to the proposal to set up relations without preconditions? In answer to these questions Joseph Pennington said the U.S. government calls on both Turkey and Armenia to start a dialogue because it stems from the interests of both countries. Besides, the U.S. diplomat told a story which happened during his service in Ankara when he knew he was going to Armenia. Pennington says he met with Hrant Dink he had heard a lot about him, and talked on the phone but did not have a meeting. Pennington says he met with Hrant Dink he had heard a lot about him, and talked on the phone but did not have a meeting. They met and discussed a number of things, including the Armenian and Turkish relation. He says he had gone to his office in front of which he was killed, they walked to his favorite restaurant and he and Hrant talked for a couple of hours because he knew he was going to Armenia. Pennington says Hrant Dink gave him information on a number of issues and wanted to know how the United States can help the Armenian and Turkish relation. “He kept saying that he is proud of being Armenian but he also loves his country, that is Turkey,” the U.S. Charge says. He says when he asked Dink how the Untied States can be helpful to the Armenian and Turkish issue, he said help improve the relations between Armenia and Turkey, Pennington says. Besides, the U.S. diplomat told a story which happened during his service in Ankara when he knew he was going to Armenia. Pennington also stated that having made efforts for a fair and free presidential election in Armenia, they are dissatisfied with the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia. The U.S. Charge said he means the training of members of electoral commissions, which was initiated by the U.S., like in the parliamentary election. Joseph Pennington thinks the CEC did not display sufficient activity in response to their efforts like before the parliamentary election in May. The U.S. diplomat also said for the sake of more free, fair and transparent election they have offered to the Armenian government to hold an exit poll. Joseph Pennington says it will help make the process more democratic. “The election process gives an idea of the Armenian society,” says the U.S. Charge. He said when they offered this proposal to the Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, he accepted it gladly and said Armenia is willing for that. Joseph Pennington hopes the government will make a final decision, and in that case the United States will hold the exit poll through the International Republican Institute funded by the U.S. government, which has considerable experience. For the presidential election, Joseph Pennington says the parliamentary election was described by international observers as a step toward progress, and they hope the presidential election will be a step ahead of the parliamentary election.