Senate panel to consider Heffern’s candidature as ambassador to Armenia July 13July 12, 2011 - 21:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider President Obama’s nomination of John A. Heffern to serve as Ambassador to Armenia during a hearing tomorrow, July 13, at 3 p.m. that will be webcast live on the panel’s website, reported the Armenian National Committee of America. “We encourage all the members of the Foreign Relations Committee to be on hand next Wednesday to question Ambassador-Designate Heffern about his qualifications and candidacy for this important diplomatic posting,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We are hopeful that Senators will also take full advantage of the opportunity afforded by this hearing to seek clarification regarding the Obama Administration’s position on a range of foreign policy issues related to the Caucasus region. Among these, of course, are a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide; a free and fair settlement of Nagorno Karabakh based on democracy and self-determination, and; the promotion of U.S.-Armenia economic relations through targeted programs and bilateral agreements to increase trade and investment.” Heffern is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having served, most recently, as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. delegation to NATO in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to this posting, Heffern served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Executive Assistant to the Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia. Heffern’s career has also included overseas assignments to Japan, Malaysia, Ivory Coast and Guangzhou, China. From 1994-1996, Heffern served as a Pearson Fellow on the Asia Sub-Committee for the House International Relations Committee. Prior to entering the Foreign Service, Heffern served in the Office of Senator John C. Danforth as the Senator’s Office Director and Research Assistant. Heffern received a B.A. from Michigan State University. If approved by the Senate, Heffern will replace Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch, who has returned from Yerevan to serve as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Northern and Central Europe. 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 | 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. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |