Senator Menendez expresses disappointment at President Obama’s recess appointment

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Barack Obama, in the wake of his controversial last-minute "recess" appointment of Matt Bryza as Ambassador to Azerbaijan in the final days of 2010, is now seeking formal Senate support for extending the term of this contentious envoy's service in Baku, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The President's recess appointment of Brzya, in the last days of the 111th Congress, came despite "holds" placed on his confirmation by Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). A "hold" is a Senatorial privilege that effectively blocks the full Senate from voting upon a presidential nomination. The President's push to get Bryza to Baku reflects a lack of concern on the part of his Administration regarding Bryza’s unusually close and controversial ties to Azerbaijani government officials, his deeply troubling track record as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus, and persistent conflict of interest issues related to the Caspian energy industry.

"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 as Ambassador to Azerbaijan," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look to Senators to stand up for U.S. interests, American values, and our nation's diplomatic credibility by doing everything in their power to prevent the confirmation of this candidate."