U.S. ambassador to Turkey nominee Francis Ricciardone, through errors of fact and bias in his responses to Senate inquiries, has proven to be the wrong candidate to continue his posting as U.S. ambassador to Turkey, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote on his nomination on Tuesday, September 13. U.S. ambassador to Armenia nominee John Heffern will also be considered that day, in addition to several other nominations.

In his responses to Senate inquiry on the plight of the Christian community in Turkey, specifically the state of Armenian Churches confiscated by Turkey since 1915, Mr. Ricciardone first incorrectly stated that most are functioning today as churches, then issued a revised state.