ANKARA. – In an interview with Turkish journalists, US Ambassador to Turkey, Francis Ricciardone, spoke about the regional issues. And with respect to the French Senate’s passing of the bill that criminalizes the denial of genocides, including the Armenian Genocide, the American ambassador noted that France is an ancient and a very important friend of the United States.

Namık Tan, Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. -- in a fairly unusual diplomatic move -- expressed his "disappointment" earlier today at Rick Perry's "ill-advised" suggestion that Turkey is run by Muslim terrorists, and the Turkish American council is piling on. Says Turkish-American Council President G. Lincoln McCurdy in a statement:

President Barack Obama pledged to increase aide for AIDS treatment in the US and around the world at a star-studded World AIDS Day speech today in Washington. The president also set an ambitious goal to help triple of the number of doses of life-saving drugs that are sent to the nations hardest hit by the disease.

On November 17 the House Committee on Natural Resources voted 27-15 to pass the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Act, H.R. 2362, which will now be reported favorably to the House for a final vote. G. Lincoln McCurdy, President of the Turkish Coalition of America, called the bipartisan vote a major step forward in enacting the first positive legislation toward Turkey in recent memory.

"For the last two years," said McCurdy, "Turkey and Native American Tribes have been developing a unique international relationship that promises to help create jobs and spur economic development in both Indian Country and Turkey. The Natural Resources Committee today voted to support sound policy and respect the economic interests of Native American Tribes. This is a historic step forward."