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COMMITTEE SENDS RICCIARDONE TO FULL SENATE VOTE
Today's Zaman
Aug 5 2010
Turkey
The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the
nomination of Francis J. Ricciardone Jr. to succeed James Jeffrey as
the US ambassador to Turkey on Tuesday following tough hearings at
the committee.
During a meeting, the committee approved the US envoy to Turkey,
along with 32 other would-be ambassadors and officials, clearing the
way for a full Senate vote. Ricciardone was faced with tough hearings
due to strong Greek and Armenian lobbies, pushing senators to ask the
position of the ambassador regarding contentious issues. US President
Barack Obama nominated the senior diplomat in July, and the ambassador
testified before the committee on July 20.
Ricciardone has served as deputy ambassador and charge d'affaires at
the US Embassy in Afghanistan since 2009. He also served as ambassador
to Egypt until 2008 and earlier as ambassador to the Philippines
and Palau.
Speaking to reporters following the hearing, Indiana Senator Richard
Lugar said Ricciardone is an "exemplary" diplomat.
Noting that he has worked with Ricciardone for many years, the
senator said he is a professional in many spheres and that he has
done a great job during his career at the State Department.
Lugar also stated that Ricciardone has a great deal of interest in
serving in Turkey and that he appreciates and supports the diplomat's
wish.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman John Kerry pulled the nomination of
Matthew Bryza as an envoy in Baku because of the strong Armenian
lobby in Washington and concerns from Democratic Senator Barbara
Boxer of California. The approval of Bryza was long contested by the
strong Armenian lobby in Washington, which claims that Bryza's wife,
Zeyno Baran, who is a senior researcher at the Hudson Institute,
is an ethnic Turk and that her works were previously funded by the
Azerbaijani government. The ambassadorial post of the US embassy in
Baku has been empty for a year.
Speaking to reporters, Lugar said Bryza is a "diplomat of high class."
Lugar said he believes that the State Department, together with
Senator Boxer, will consider the rebuttals and hopes to eliminate
her and others' concerns.
From: A. Papazian
Today's Zaman
Aug 5 2010
Turkey
The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the
nomination of Francis J. Ricciardone Jr. to succeed James Jeffrey as
the US ambassador to Turkey on Tuesday following tough hearings at
the committee.
During a meeting, the committee approved the US envoy to Turkey,
along with 32 other would-be ambassadors and officials, clearing the
way for a full Senate vote. Ricciardone was faced with tough hearings
due to strong Greek and Armenian lobbies, pushing senators to ask the
position of the ambassador regarding contentious issues. US President
Barack Obama nominated the senior diplomat in July, and the ambassador
testified before the committee on July 20.
Ricciardone has served as deputy ambassador and charge d'affaires at
the US Embassy in Afghanistan since 2009. He also served as ambassador
to Egypt until 2008 and earlier as ambassador to the Philippines
and Palau.
Speaking to reporters following the hearing, Indiana Senator Richard
Lugar said Ricciardone is an "exemplary" diplomat.
Noting that he has worked with Ricciardone for many years, the
senator said he is a professional in many spheres and that he has
done a great job during his career at the State Department.
Lugar also stated that Ricciardone has a great deal of interest in
serving in Turkey and that he appreciates and supports the diplomat's
wish.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman John Kerry pulled the nomination of
Matthew Bryza as an envoy in Baku because of the strong Armenian
lobby in Washington and concerns from Democratic Senator Barbara
Boxer of California. The approval of Bryza was long contested by the
strong Armenian lobby in Washington, which claims that Bryza's wife,
Zeyno Baran, who is a senior researcher at the Hudson Institute,
is an ethnic Turk and that her works were previously funded by the
Azerbaijani government. The ambassadorial post of the US embassy in
Baku has been empty for a year.
Speaking to reporters, Lugar said Bryza is a "diplomat of high class."
Lugar said he believes that the State Department, together with
Senator Boxer, will consider the rebuttals and hopes to eliminate
her and others' concerns.
From: A. Papazian