November 4, 2010, Hurriyet Daily News - Head of the Turkish Coalition of America has urged the United States Senate to approve in the shortest possible time the appointment of the U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
The head of the Turkish Coalition of America, or TCA, an educational charity organization based in Washington, has urged the United States Senate to approve the appointment of the U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
Lincoln McCurdy said in an article in the congressional newspaper, The Hill, the Senate should confirm Francis Joseph Ricciardone as U.S. ambassador in Ankara as soon as possible.
"Turkey is a significant political and economic actor that has played a crucial role in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe in the last decade. The country is a valuable ally to the U.S. and NATO in maintaining peace and stability," McCurdy said.
"Yet the U.S. Embassy in Ankara has been without a leader since July, when Ambassador James Jeffrey departed the country to become the new ambassador to Iraq. Four months later, there is still no ambassador to Turkey, and if recent Senate machinations continue, we may have no leadership in Ankara until 2011. When Congress returns for the lame duck session in November, the Senate must resolve this impasse," he said.
