Aram Hamparian: Armenian-American voters are once again disappointed in President Obama

February 7, 2011 - 11:41 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian-Americans are organizing for a second time to stop the appointment of career diplomat Matthew Bryza’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, where he is serving in a temporary position.

The Armenian-American lobby, politically powerful in states including New Jersey and California, claims Mr. Bryza is biased toward Azerbaijan, The Washington Times reports.

Activists blocked his appointment last year in one of the most public disputes over a diplomatic nomination ever seen on Capitol Hill. President Obama sent Mr. Bryza to Azerbaijan in a congressional recess appointment in December, but the assignment is only for a year. Mr. Obama renominated him last month, ignoring objections from two Democratic senators, Barbara Boxer of California and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

“Armenian-American voters are, once again, disappointed that President Obama, having failed to honor any of his many pledges to Armenian-American voters, is now, over the strong objections of senators from his own party, pressing for Senate confirmation of his controversial and deeply flawed recess appointment of Matt Bryza,” said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America.

Mr. Hamparian appealed to Mrs. Boxer and Mr. Menendez, who had blocked Mr. Bryza‘s confirmation by the Senate, forcing Mr. Obama to make the recess appointment after Congress adjourned in December.

“We look to senators to stand up for U.S. interests, American values and our nation’s diplomacy credibility by doing everything in their power to prevent the confirmation of this candidate,” Mr. Hamparian said.