ANCA wants congressional scrutiny of Trump’s envoy to Baku nomineeSeptember 7, 2018 - 11:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Americans, friends of Armenia, human rights activists, and advocates for peace are calling on their U.S. Senators to carefully scrutinize President Donald Trump’s nomination of career Foreign Service Officer Earle Litzenberger to serve as Ambassador to Azerbaijan, as part of an Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) nationwide advocacy campaign. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to begin consideration of Litzenberger’s nomination to fill the currently vacant posting, a process that will include a hearing, responses to written questions, and then, potentially, votes in committee and by the full Senate. President Obama’s nominee for the post, Matt Bryza, was twice denied Senate confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Baku, over concerns regarding his evident bias on Azerbaijan, Turkish and Armenian issues, ultimately only serving one year in this position under a recess appointment. The ANCA website - www.anca.org/azerbaijan - provides concerned individuals an opportunity to directly request that both of their U.S. Senators ask questions during the Litzenberger confirmation process. “There’s never been a more urgent need for clarity regarding the nature and scope of American relations with the Aliyev regime,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “This confirmation process provides a much-needed opportunity for substantive Congressional oversight of an increasingly troubled U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relationship, characterized by escalating aggression against Armenians, a worsening crackdown on dissent, and a well-funded campaign to manipulate the American political process.” Traditionally, U.S. Senators have focused their questioning of U.S. Ambassador-designates to Azerbaijan on an array of regional priorities, including the peace process, investigative mechanisms, and strengthening the cease-fire, as well as domestic concerns regarding the Aliyev regime’s crushing of dissent. According to the White House, Litzenberger, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the Department of State. During his career in the Foreign Service, he has served as Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund; Deputy Chief of Mission to the United States Mission to NATO; NATO Deputy Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan; Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia; and Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Litzenberger earned a B.A. from Middlebury College and M.S. from the United States Army War College. He is the recipient of the Matilda W. Sinclaire Language Award. He also speaks French, Russian, Serbian, and Bulgarian Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |