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Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 22 2011
Ariel Cohen: Unprecedented case when ethnic group to dictate US administration
22 December 2011, 12:26 (GMT+04:00) Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 22 / Trend
E. Tariverdiyeva /
An unprecedented case has arisen whereby an ethnic group based in the
U.S. is trying to dictate whom the presidential administration may or
may not appoint as an ambassador, Trend Expert Council member and
Heritage Foundation expert on Russia, Eurasia and international energy
policies Ariel Cohen said, while commenting on the situation on the
possible withdrawal of the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, if the
Senate does not vote for him.
"Matt Bryza, whom I have known for 24 years, is an outstanding
diplomat and a real expert on energy and South Caucasus. "It will be a
great loss if the Administration and the Senate will not find a way to
extend his service," Cohen told Trend.
On December 29, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed a career
diplomat, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as
ambassador to Azerbaijan. However this was done bypassing the Senate
which blocked his appointment for a few months under pro-Armenian
senators' pressure. If the U.S. Senate does not approve Mr Bryza's
candidacy in the near future, he will be withdrawn.
The Armenian lobby is making every effort to ensure the Senate rejects
Mr Bryza's candidacy.
It is inexcusable that such a great asset for the US foreign policy
interests, will not be serving his country in the area he knows so
well, he said.
"I hope his successor is going to be as good as he is. However,
wherever Matt Bryza will work, he will be a great asset to his
employer and to the US," he said.
Dec 22 2011
Ariel Cohen: Unprecedented case when ethnic group to dictate US administration
22 December 2011, 12:26 (GMT+04:00) Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 22 / Trend
E. Tariverdiyeva /
An unprecedented case has arisen whereby an ethnic group based in the
U.S. is trying to dictate whom the presidential administration may or
may not appoint as an ambassador, Trend Expert Council member and
Heritage Foundation expert on Russia, Eurasia and international energy
policies Ariel Cohen said, while commenting on the situation on the
possible withdrawal of the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, if the
Senate does not vote for him.
"Matt Bryza, whom I have known for 24 years, is an outstanding
diplomat and a real expert on energy and South Caucasus. "It will be a
great loss if the Administration and the Senate will not find a way to
extend his service," Cohen told Trend.
On December 29, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed a career
diplomat, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as
ambassador to Azerbaijan. However this was done bypassing the Senate
which blocked his appointment for a few months under pro-Armenian
senators' pressure. If the U.S. Senate does not approve Mr Bryza's
candidacy in the near future, he will be withdrawn.
The Armenian lobby is making every effort to ensure the Senate rejects
Mr Bryza's candidacy.
It is inexcusable that such a great asset for the US foreign policy
interests, will not be serving his country in the area he knows so
well, he said.
"I hope his successor is going to be as good as he is. However,
wherever Matt Bryza will work, he will be a great asset to his
employer and to the US," he said.