Department of State (John Kerry secretary) -- has 50 Ambassadorial positions open/unfilled

Link to this part of "Press Conference Briefing" at www.state.gov/ :
QUESTION: And finally, it looks like the U.S. is sending former U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson to Ankara as a temporary –

MS. HARF: Yes.

QUESTION: Can you tell us a little bit on that appointment?

MS. HARF: Yep. So John Bass, who is President Obama’s nominee as ambassador to Turkey, is awaiting a confirmation vote from the Senate as are 50 other – over 50 other ambassadorial nominees awaiting a vote. So we are facing the prospect of a long-term gap in filling this crucial position of ambassador to Turkey. Obviously, we recognize the centrality of a strong U.S.-Turkey relationship, so the Secretary has asked Ross Wilson to return to Ankara – he served as ambassador there from 2005 until 2008 – to serve as the charge d’affaires until John Bass is confirmed as the ambassador. We, as we do with all of our nominees, encourage the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.

QUESTION: Do you fill other posts in other countries in this way? I’ve never heard of this kind of temporary appointment.

MS. HARF: We do – no. That’s not unusual. If we have a slot that needs to be filled, we can send people there. It’s not unusual. But obviously, we think the Senate should confirm John Bass and all of our other ambassadors who are waiting – I think the longest now is over 400 days – as soon as possible.
(Link is active at 8 a.m. September 8, 2014)