Questions for U.S. Ambassador-designate to Armenia
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Confirmation hearing for President Biden’s nominee to serve as
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia: Kristina A Kvien

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

U.S.-Armenia relations:

— Given the existential regional threats to the very survival of Armenians upon their ancient, indigenous homeland, will you, as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, prioritize U.S. aid programs that materially and directly contribute to Armenia’s security?

Azerbaijani aggression:

— Is Azerbaijan currently occupying territory of the Republic of Armenia?

— If yes, what is your understanding of U.S. policy on this occupation?

— If no, explain your understanding of why our government holds this view.

Video of Azerbaijani forces executing captive Armenians:

— Have you personally viewed videos of Azerbaijani forces executing captured Armenian soldiers during Azerbaijan’s attack this fall against Armenia?

– What, if any, steps have you undertaken – as Ambassador-designate to Armenia – to verify the authenticity of such videos?

— Is it your view that the U.S. should call out acts of aggression, based on the facts as we know them, or – instead – to simply respond to acts of aggression with generic calls on all parties to refrain from violence?

Armenian POWs:

— Is it your view that the Armenian soldiers and civilians currently held by Azerbaijan as a consequence of fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are Prisoners of War, entitled to legal protections under the Third Geneva Convention and other instruments of international law?

– Is the United States requesting Azerbaijan’s release of these prisoners as a political concession on Baku’s part, or is the United States demanding that Azerbaijan release them in compliance with Baku’s own obligations under international law?

Aid to Artsakh:

— Would you, as Ambassador to Armenia, provide necessary logistical support for U.S. humanitarian aid programs in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh)?

— Would you ensure that U.S. Embassy or USAID staff are able to visit Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) to conduct needs assessments or provide humanitarian aid to at-risk populations?

Armenian Genocide:

— What steps will you take, as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, to pro-actively confront Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing and active denial of the Armenian Genocide?

— Would you consider placing a statue of U.S. Ambassador Henry Morgenthau on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, in honor of his role in protesting the Armenian Genocide and helping save the survivors of this crime?

— Do you have any thoughts to share regarding the treatment of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, whose career was ended by the State Department simply for speaking honestly about the Armenian Genocide?

Armenian American community:

— Will you commit to regularly meeting and consulting, both in person and virtually, with leading representatives of the Armenian American community, such as the Armenian National Committee of America?