ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 3, 2019
Contact: Danielle Saroyan
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
SENATE CONFIRMS BY VOICE
VOTE AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEES FOR ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Robert Menendez Reiterates
Key Concerns
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Yesterday, the United States Senate confirmed by a voice vote
Ambassadorial nominees Lynne M. Tracy and Earle D. Litzenberger to represent
the United States in Armenia and Azerbaijan, respectively, reported the
Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Last month, during the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee (SFRC) business meeting on the nomination, Ranking Member Robert
Menendez (D-NJ) explained his support for both candidates, as well as the
importance of strong U.S.-Armenia relations.
"Armenia and the Caucasus region will continue
to be vital to regional and global security. According to the OSCE, Armenia's
elections over the weekend met international standards. I look forward to
supporting the government's efforts to build strong democratic institutions, a
vibrant Armenian economy, and oppose any efforts to violate Armenia's sovereignty,"
Ranking Member Menendez said.
During Ambassador-designate Tracy's nomination
hearing she promised to support Armenia's "remarkable" democratic
reforms. As to questions at the hearing by SFRC Ranking Member Menendez and
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) on the Armenian Genocide, she agreed that "1.5
million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their death in the
final years of the Ottoman Empire" in 1915, but fell short of properly
categorizing the killings as a genocide.
"Throughout my time in the Senate, I have
advocated for an honest accounting of the Armenian genocide. I believe we have a moral imperative to
recognize the atrocities that were committed against the Armenian people. Ms.
Tracy's experience in Russia and Central Asia positions her to help navigate
U.S. policy in this critical time. I support this nomination, but expect to
work closely with Ms. Tracy on how she will encourage an honest acknowledgement
of the Armenian Genocide, support Armenia's ongoing efforts to ensure accountable,
citizen-responsive governance, and support efforts to reach a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he added.
During the SFRC business meeting, Senator Menendez
also noted the importance of safety in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), and his
expectations for the U.S. Ambassador selected to be the representative in
Azerbaijan.
"I support Mr. Litzenberger's nomination and
expect to have close and continuing dialogue with him on how he will urge the
Azeris to step back from any threatening behavior that could disrupt the line
of contact in Nagorno Karabakh, support respect for human rights, and support
efforts to reach a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,"
Senator Menendez said.
The hearing for Ambassador-designate Litzenberger
occurred in October, wherein he restated the U.S. position condemning violence
along the line of contact, which undermines the peace process and violates the
1994 cease-fire agreement.
"We appreciate the important issues raised by
Senators Robert Menendez and Ed Markey during the confirmation process. We look forward to working with the new
Congress to ensure robust assistance to further Armenia's democratic
development," Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America
is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan,
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR#
2019-001
Available
online: https://armenian-assembly.org/2019/01/03/senate-confirms-by-voice-vote-ambassadorial-nominees-for-armenia-and-azerbaijan/
Photo
Caption: Ambassador-designates Lynne M. Tracy (left) and Earle D. Litzenberger
(right)
JPEG image