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MENENDEZ REITERATES IMPORTANCE OF U.S. AFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Panorama
Aug 3, 2011
Armenia
During today's confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) asked Ambassador-Designate
Francis J. Ricciardone a series of questions regarding U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly).
Ambassador-Designate Francis J. Ricciardone, is the Administration's
nominee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey
and has been serving in Ankara since January on the basis of a recess
appointment by President Obama. When asked by Senator Menendez if the
United States have ever denied the Armenian Genocide, Ricciardone
responded that he stands behind President Obama's characterization
and used the Armenian term: Meds Yeghern.
"As Senator Menendez has repeatedly indicated, affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide is critical to our diplomatic relations with Armenia
and Turkey," stated Assembly Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian.
"We strongly concur with Senator Menendez that if you cannot recognize
the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide, then you cannot move
forward," added Koushakjian.
Senator Menendez also asked if Ricciardone disagreed with President
Barack Obama's position on the Armenian Genocide during Obama's
tenure as a Senator, as well as that of Vice President Joseph Biden
and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, during their tenures
as Senators. In each instance, Ricciardone indicated that he did not
disagree with his superiors.
"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly's 2011 Terjenian-Thomas Internship
Class, we express our sincere appreciation to Senator Menendez for
his continued leadership on Armenian issues," stated Raffi Nersessian,
Assembly Government Affairs intern who attended today's hearing.
Ricciardone also fielded questions about religious freedom, especially
in relation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the
Halki Seminary, as well as with respect to the Armenian, Assyrian,
and Jewish communities.
Senate Foreign Relations Europe Subcommittee Chair Jeanne Shaheen
(D-NH) presided over today's hearing and was joined by Ranking Member
Richard Lugar (R-IN), along with Senators Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA),
Chris Coons (D-DE), and Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) who was on hand
to introduce one of the nominees. Additional questions for the record
will be submitted for response by the nominees and will be reviewed
before the Committee acts on the nomination. The next opportunity
for consideration by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be
in September.
From: Baghdasarian
Panorama
Aug 3, 2011
Armenia
During today's confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) asked Ambassador-Designate
Francis J. Ricciardone a series of questions regarding U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly).
Ambassador-Designate Francis J. Ricciardone, is the Administration's
nominee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey
and has been serving in Ankara since January on the basis of a recess
appointment by President Obama. When asked by Senator Menendez if the
United States have ever denied the Armenian Genocide, Ricciardone
responded that he stands behind President Obama's characterization
and used the Armenian term: Meds Yeghern.
"As Senator Menendez has repeatedly indicated, affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide is critical to our diplomatic relations with Armenia
and Turkey," stated Assembly Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian.
"We strongly concur with Senator Menendez that if you cannot recognize
the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide, then you cannot move
forward," added Koushakjian.
Senator Menendez also asked if Ricciardone disagreed with President
Barack Obama's position on the Armenian Genocide during Obama's
tenure as a Senator, as well as that of Vice President Joseph Biden
and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, during their tenures
as Senators. In each instance, Ricciardone indicated that he did not
disagree with his superiors.
"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly's 2011 Terjenian-Thomas Internship
Class, we express our sincere appreciation to Senator Menendez for
his continued leadership on Armenian issues," stated Raffi Nersessian,
Assembly Government Affairs intern who attended today's hearing.
Ricciardone also fielded questions about religious freedom, especially
in relation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the
Halki Seminary, as well as with respect to the Armenian, Assyrian,
and Jewish communities.
Senate Foreign Relations Europe Subcommittee Chair Jeanne Shaheen
(D-NH) presided over today's hearing and was joined by Ranking Member
Richard Lugar (R-IN), along with Senators Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA),
Chris Coons (D-DE), and Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) who was on hand
to introduce one of the nominees. Additional questions for the record
will be submitted for response by the nominees and will be reviewed
before the Committee acts on the nomination. The next opportunity
for consideration by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be
in September.
From: Baghdasarian