Tuesday 5 October 2010

US laments delay in approving envoys to "vitally important" Syria & Turkey ...

Via "friday-lunch-club"

"We want to see the nominations of Ambassador Ricciardone and Ambassador Ford go forward and we continue in consultation with the Senate on those nominations," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters. 
"It does have an impact. These are vitally important countries to the future of the region ... They are countries that we need that kind of day-to-day interaction with, and we're hopeful that when the Senate reconvenes after the election that their nominations will go forward," he said. 
Ford's nomination ignited a festering row with Republicans over Obama's signature policy of seeking to engage US foes.... Washington meanwhile values the role played in the Middle East by Turkey, one of the few Muslim-majority nations to recognize the Jewish state. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed Ricciardone for the post, but confirmation by the full Senate has stalled after Republican Sam Brownback place a "hold" on the nomination. Brownback reportedly expressed concern that Ricciardone might not engage enough with opposition parties in Turkey, which is run by an Islamist-rooted government."
Posted by G, Z, or B at 8:58 PM

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

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