Washington, DC - During Tuesday's confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), reiterated the importance of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide stating that it was a "critical" issue, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

In a series of questions addressed to Ambassador-Designate Francis J. Ricciardone, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Senator Menendez clearly indicated that there cannot be reconciliation without acknowledgment of the Genocide, and asked if Ambassador Ricciardone had ever attended an Armenian Genocide commemoration during his prior service in Turkey.  

Mr. Ricciardone in responding to the Senator's questions, indicated that he had not attended a commemoration, but did meet with the Armenian Patriarch, and also visited Harpout, which he indicated was once home to a vibrant Armenian community.  

With respect to the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Ricciardone made reference to President Barack Obama's April 24th statement and noted the need for a frank and full acknowledgment of the shared history between Armenia and Turkey.   

Terjenian-Thomas Internship Class and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the Senate Foreign Relations confirmation hearing.  

"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly's 2010 Terjenian-Thomas Internship Class, I wish to convey our appreciation to Senator Menendez for his forceful questioning of the nominee," stated Ani Tramblian, a Modern Foreign Languages Major who is interning with the Armenian National Institute. "We fully concur with his assessment of Turkey and the need for much more progress," Tramblian added.

Ricciardone also fielded questions about religious freedom, especially in the context of issues related to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and His Holiness, Archbishop Bartholomew. In his testimony before the Committee, Ricciardone also highlighted another  "unresolved" issue for Turkey: the "normalization of relations with Armenia." 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) presided over the hearing and was joined by Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), along with Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ted Kaufman (D-DE). Additional questions for the record are being submitted and are to be answered before the Committee acts on the nomination.  

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.  

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