Obama circumvents Senate to appoint Bryza as U.S. ambassador to AzerbaijanDecember 30, 2010 - 18:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite Senate opposition, driven by Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), President Barack Obama today announced that he is making a recess appointment of Matt Bryza as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The President's action, in the final days of the 111th Congress, comes despite serious concerns regarding Bryza's unusually close and controversial ties to Azerbaijani government officials, his deeply troubling track record as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus, and persistent conflict of interest issues related to the Caspian energy industry. "Armenian Americans are deeply troubled by President Obama's decision today to circumvent the U.S. Senate and use a recess appointment to send a deeply flawed diplomat to represent America in Azerbaijan" said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "The President's push to send Matt Bryza to Baku without Senate approval represents a disservice to American diplomacy that will, sadly, undermine our nation's ability to advance our interests and values in the Caucasus region." "President Obama, whose Administration only a week ago helped kill the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S. House, has again demonstrated an utter disregard for his own campaign commitments on issues ranging from the Armenian Genocide and Nagorno Karabagh to U.S. aid and trade with Armenia." Bryza, who had served as Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mink Group Co-Chair, charged with mediating the Nagorno Karabakh conflict from 2006 through 2009, was nominated for U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan in May of 2010. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) opposed his nomination, issuing a 10- page report citing issues ranging from conflict of interest concerns to his prolonged inaction in the face of the Azerbaijani Government's destruction of the 13th Century Armenian cemetery in Djulfa, and his inordinately close ties to the dictatorial Aliyev Administration. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |