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SEN. MENENDEZ JOINS BOXER AND PLACES HOLD ON BRYZA'S NOMINATION
Tert.am
23.09.10
Senator Robert Menendez (D-N) also announced Tuesday evening that he
has placed a "hold" on US Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee Matthew
Bryza, reported the Armenian National Committee of America, reports
Asbarez.com.
Earlier on the same Barbara Boxer (D-CA) had said she placed a "hold"
on Bryza's nomination as US Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
The senators' decision followed a Senate Foreign Relations Committee
vote earlier today to approve his nomination by voice vote, despite
serious concerns regarding the Ambassador-designate's unusually close
ties to Azerbaijani government officials, his troubling track record
as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus, and persistent conflict
of interest issues related to the Caspian energy industry.
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Boxer both spoke and voted against
the Bryza nomination.
"Thanks to senators Boxer and Menendez, US diplomacy dodged a bullet
today," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "It would
have been a serious mistake - both for US strategic interests and for
hopes of lasting peace in the Caucasus - to have sent Matt Bryza to
Baku amid escalating threats of renewed war by Azerbaijan's leaders.
Given his track record, he clearly would have been the wrong diplomat,
at the wrong time, in exactly the wrong post. We are deeply grateful
to both senators for preventing this grave diplomatic misstep."
Hamparian added, "Our nation's important diplomatic work in Azerbaijan
can now get off to a fresh start, one without the bias and baggage that
Matt Bryza would have brought to this pivotal position. Our hope now
is that the President will nominate a new candidate who will openly
stand up to Azerbaijan's aggression and forcefully deter its march
toward renewed war against Nagorno Karabakh."
The hold prevents fast-tracked Senate consideration of the
Bryza nomination, effectively blocking his confirmation for this
ambassadorial post. Menendez took a similar action in 2006, preventing
the appointment of US Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland,
who denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate confirmation
process.
From: A. Papazian
Tert.am
23.09.10
Senator Robert Menendez (D-N) also announced Tuesday evening that he
has placed a "hold" on US Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee Matthew
Bryza, reported the Armenian National Committee of America, reports
Asbarez.com.
Earlier on the same Barbara Boxer (D-CA) had said she placed a "hold"
on Bryza's nomination as US Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
The senators' decision followed a Senate Foreign Relations Committee
vote earlier today to approve his nomination by voice vote, despite
serious concerns regarding the Ambassador-designate's unusually close
ties to Azerbaijani government officials, his troubling track record
as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus, and persistent conflict
of interest issues related to the Caspian energy industry.
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Boxer both spoke and voted against
the Bryza nomination.
"Thanks to senators Boxer and Menendez, US diplomacy dodged a bullet
today," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "It would
have been a serious mistake - both for US strategic interests and for
hopes of lasting peace in the Caucasus - to have sent Matt Bryza to
Baku amid escalating threats of renewed war by Azerbaijan's leaders.
Given his track record, he clearly would have been the wrong diplomat,
at the wrong time, in exactly the wrong post. We are deeply grateful
to both senators for preventing this grave diplomatic misstep."
Hamparian added, "Our nation's important diplomatic work in Azerbaijan
can now get off to a fresh start, one without the bias and baggage that
Matt Bryza would have brought to this pivotal position. Our hope now
is that the President will nominate a new candidate who will openly
stand up to Azerbaijan's aggression and forcefully deter its march
toward renewed war against Nagorno Karabakh."
The hold prevents fast-tracked Senate consideration of the
Bryza nomination, effectively blocking his confirmation for this
ambassadorial post. Menendez took a similar action in 2006, preventing
the appointment of US Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland,
who denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate confirmation
process.
From: A. Papazian