The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) expects nomination of a new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Joseph Ricciardione will urge Turkey to end its campaign of denial and come to terms with its genocidal legacy.

“We expect the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey to press for an end of the nearly two-decade blockade of Armenia and to ensure that Turkey fulfill its international commitment to normalize relations with Armenia without preconditions,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.  The statement by AAA also noted that news of the nomination also coincides with the conclusion of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's tour of the South Caucuses region, which included a special visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

“Given Secretary Clinton’s gesture and her long-standing public support for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the public statements of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, the upcoming Senate confirmation process provides a timely opportunity for the Administration to unequivocally reaffirm the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide,” the statement reads.  

“Ambassador Ricciardione would be well served to follow in the tradition of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau and advance Turkish recognition of the consequences of the Armenian Genocide,” Ardouny stated.

The Assembly also anticipates that the Senate will press nominee Ricciardione on Turkey’s human rights record, religious freedom and treatment of minorities; specifically Article 301 of the Turkish Penal code which precipitated the assassination of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink.  The continuing delays in the trial of Dink’s accused assassin remains a serious cause for concern for the freedom of the press in Turkey and the safety of journalists in the country.