US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Joseph Ricciardone, Jr. avoided using the term “genocide” despite the pressure of pro-Armenian senators that attended his confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Commission, August 2.
Ricciardone, who was sent to Turkey under a recess appointment because he could not be confirmed last year, was expected to face harsh criticism from a number of Democrat senators who believe the Obama administration has not been tough enough on Turkey-Armenia historical disputes.
Although Ricciardone no longer has to worry about the complaints of now-retired Senator Sam Brownback, but he still faces potential opposition from Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Menendez Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Kirk doesn’t want the administration to make a missile defense deal with Turkey and Menendez wants the administration to refer to the 1915 events as a "genocide."
In response to a question by Sen. Menendez, Amb. Ricciardone denied to call the 1915 events as a“genocide” and stood behind President Obama’s characterization of the “Medz Yeghern”, which means “great crime”.
“Facilitating regional integration is a high priority for the United States. We commended the governments of Turkey and Armenia on signing the historic protocols on normalization of relations on October 10, 2009 in Zurich”, he mentioned.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote on the nominee is not expected until after August Congressional Recess.
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