Senator Menendez warns to block Bush's new pick for ambassador to ArmeniaApril 25, 2008 - 17:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who two years ago blocked the nomination of Richard Hoagland for U.S. ambassador to Armenia, said he will do the same if President George W. Bush's new ambassadorial nominee also fails to use proper wording for the Armenian GenocideThe United States has not been not represented in the Armenian capital at the ambassadorial level since May 2006 when Bush fired John Evans, who used the term 'genocide,' to describe the massacre of Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923. In March, Bush nominated Marie L. Yovanovitch, another career diplomat, for Yerevan, Turkish Daily News reports. Senator Menendez made it clear that he believes the U.S. ambassador to Yerevan should characterize the killings as Genocide. "I intend to ask the same tough questions to the designate as her confirmation process reaches the Senate," Menendez said. "I hope Ms. Yovanovitch would respond to the questions in a satisfactory way. If not, I will not hesitate to place a hold." Meanwhile, the Turkish newspaper mentions that still "if Yovanovitch by any chance says 'genocide,' then Washington will get into deep trouble with Turkey." 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |