They support the amendment tabled by Rep. Chris Papas.
To build wider support for the amendment tabled by the Member Chris Pope in the defense budget bill regarding the F-16 attempt the Greek and Jewish organizations in the USA. In a joint letter sent to the full House of Representatives, the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) are asking American lawmakers to support Chris Pope’s amendment, which puts the brakes on the sale and upgrade of of F-16 fighters that the Turkey.
HALC and AJC’s Letter to the House of Representatives
“Turkish violations of Greek airspace and armed overflights over Aegean islands have reached dangerous levels, creating a real threat to peace and stability in the region.
In addition, Turkey conducts provocative and dangerous naval exercises, sometimes with live fire, in Greek territorial waters and around inhabited islands.
Despite Turkey’s aggression, the U.S. government has come out in favor of considering Turkey’s request to buy 40 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets and 80 modernization kits for its existing massive fleet of warplanes.
Upgrading and selling new F-16s to Turkey would undermine American law, American values, and American interests. Turkey is already using its fleet of American F-16s to violate Greek airspace.
A large number of analysts have repeatedly expressed concern about co-locating upgraded F-16s with the S-400s.
Chris Pope’s amendment prohibits the United States from selling modernization kits and new F-16s to Turkey unless Congress receives certification that Ankara has not violated Greece’s sovereignty – specifically through territorial overflights or violations of the Athens FIR. We hope you will support this important amendment.”
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