The short gap of only two weeks between the President’s July 1st announcement of the Ricciardone nomination and the scheduling of a Senate confirmation hearing would seem to indicate an effort by the White House to expedite this process, reads the statement by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Ambassador Ricciardone’s confirmation process provides members of the Foreign Relations Committee a rare and vital opportunity at a pivotal moment in U.S.-Turkey relations to really explore whether the Administration’s seemingly endless willingness to defer to Turkey - on human rights, regional security, and genocide denial - truly serves U.S. interests and American values,” said Aram Hamparian, ANCA Executive Director.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has announced that it will hold a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, July 20th for President Obama’s nominee, Francis Ricciardone, to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The ANCA statement notes that the Foreign Relations Committee has yet to announce a date for the confirmation hearing for the President’s nominee to serve as U.S. envoy in Baku, Matthew Bryza. According to ANCA, several neo-conservative groups have voiced their reservations with Ambassador Ricciardone’s appointment and they hope to persuade Republican senators to torpedo his nomination.

Ricciardone’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for July 20. He was nominated by President Obama on July 1.