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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has not yet any information on Francis Ricciardone’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian-Turkish relations, ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian told NEWS.am.

As to what Armenia should expect if Francis Ricciardone is approved as the next U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, she said that he has never shown his attitude to such issues before so no forecasts can be made now.

"We want to be sure that the Foreign Relations Committee will put clear questions to reveal the nominee’s attitude to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process," Chouldjian said. She pointed out the high importance of Francis Ricciardone’s accurate interpretation of the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination and of the principle of territorial integrity. "We must know how well this person is informed of the events in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, development of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and what is his personal attitude," she said.

From 1995 to 1998, Francis Ricciardone worked at the U.S. Embassy in Turkey, without distinguishing himself in any way. "We should also ask him what he is going to do," Chouldjian said.

Amb. Ricciardone’s confirmation hearing is set for 2:30 pm (11:00 p.m., Yerevan time) on Tuesday, July 20th.

As regards Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee, Chouldjian expressed her negative attitude. "We sent a paper to the Foreign Relations Committee, asking them to thoroughly examine it and find out some facts," she said.  According to her, Bryza has a murky past. He was Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, but when Armenian cultural monuments were being destroyed in Juga he did not say anything though he was informed. When the U.S. Congress sent financial aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, it did not reach the destination. His position on Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as his wife’s shadow activities, is surprising, Chouldjian said. "He is a dark horse, and we are concerned over his nomination," she said.

The Foreign Relations Committee is to consider Matthew Bryza’s confirmation on July 22.

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