Senators Spoke Forcefully Against Controversial U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nominee during Senate Foreign Relations Committee Meeting WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has learned that both Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) have jointly placed a "hold" on U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan nominee Matthew Bryza, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The Senators' decision followed a Senate Foreign Relations Committee voice vote yesterday approving his nomination, despite serious concerns regarding the Ambassador-designate's unusually close ties to Azerbaijani government officials, his troubling track record as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus, and persistent conflict of interest issues related to the Caspian energy industry. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Boxer both spoke and voted against the Bryza nomination. "Thanks to Senators Boxer & Menendez, U.S. diplomacy dodged a bullet today," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "It would have been a serious mistake - both for U.S. strategic interests and for hopes of lasting peace in the Caucasus - to have sent Matt Bryza to Baku amid escalating threats of renewed war by Azerbaijan's leaders. Given his track record, he clearly would have been the wrong diplomat, at the wrong time, in exactly the wrong post. We are deeply grateful to Senators Boxer and Menendez for preventing this grave diplomatic misstep." Hamparian added, "Our nation's important diplomatic work in Azerbaijan can now get off to a fresh start, one without the bias and baggage that Matt Bryza would have brought to this pivotal position. Our hope now is that the President will nominate a new candidate who will openly stand up to Azerbaijan's aggression and forcefully deter its march toward renewed war against Nagorno Karabakh." The hold by Senators Boxer and Menendez prevents fast-tracked Senate consideration of the Bryza nomination, effectively blocking his confirmation for this ambassadorial post. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) took a similar action in 2006, preventing the appointment of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee Richard Hoagland, who denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate confirmation process.

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