Extremely important development, which significantly increases the chances of becoming US law by the end of the year – The amendment links the sale of fighter jets to Turkish provocation in the Aegean
The first major step for the “block” on the sale and modernization of Turkish F-16s was made in the US, as the amendment of Chris Popewhich does not allow Joe Biden to approve the plan, was passed by the House of Representatives, as reported by its correspondent ERTLena Argyri.
The sale will only be able to proceed if the US president succeeds in certifying to the relevant congressional committees that there are national security reasons and giving a detailed description of the measures being taken to ensure that the F-16 they are not used for overflights over Greece.
This is a development of extraordinary importance that dramatically increases the chances of it becoming law USA at the end of the year as part of the defense budget.
Major reactions to Turkish F-16s: Letter from Greek and Jewish organizations
In the previous 24 hours, Greek and Jewish organizations in the US, in a joint letter sent to the plenary session of the House of Representatives, the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) ask American lawmakers to support Chris Pope’s amendment, which puts the brakes on the sale but also in the upgrade of the 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 US government has expressed its willingness to consider 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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