Former Ambassador Wilson returns to Turkey as interim US chargé d’affaires

ANKARA

The United States has surprisingly decided to send its former ambassador to Turkey as chargé d’affaires to Ankara, four years after he retired from the Department of State. The decision comes due to the delay in the Senate’s confirmation of the ambassadorial nominee for the Turkish capital city.

“John Bass, President [Barack] Obama’s nominee as ambassador to Turkey, is waiting for a vote of confirmation from the U.S. Senate. He is joined by more than 50 other ambassadorial nominees waiting for confirmation. Facing a gap in this crucial position and recognizing the centrality of strong Turkey-U.S. ties in responding to urgent regional challenges, Secretary of State [John] Kerry has asked Ross Wilson to temporarily return to Ankara, where he served as U.S. Ambassador from 2005-2008, as chargé d’affaires,” the U.S. embassy in Ankara announced in a written statement released Sept. 5.

Wilson served as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey in 2005-2008, after which he retired from government to pursue interests in the academic and think tank communities.

Wilson will arrive in Ankara on or about Sept. 6, the Embassy said.