Turkey’s aggressive behavior is a threat to American interests, Robert Menendez clarified – America’s Hellenism emerged strengthened from the mid-term elections and warns that it will put a gravestone on Erdogan’s plans for new F-16s.
He left no room for doubt Robert Menendez to Tayyip Erdogan how he will find him in front of him if he continues the provocative rhetoric. In an online event for Cyprus, Mr chairman of the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee did not hesitate to label him dictatorwhile appearing one more time negative on the F-16 sale as well.
“He calls Cypriots and those who love freedom, enemies. He works with some of the world’s most brutal dictators, from China’s Xi Jinping to Russia’s Putin. Indeed, Erdogan sees the illegal annexation of part of Ukraine and takes notes. Why does he want to do the same in northern Cyprus and annex the occupied territories”, said Pr. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Robert Menendez.
Menendez did not mince his words on the F-16 issue either, clarifying that he will not allow the sale of fighters to Turkey.
“Today the threat of annexation of the occupied must be taken seriously. That being said, I do not believe that the US should put the F-16 fighters in the hands of President Erdogan. And that’s why, as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will not approve the sale of any F-16 to Turkey until it stops its campaign of provocations in the wider region,” he said.
The senator, who remains chairman of the Senate’s international relations committee, clarified in the harshest language that Turkey’s aggressive behavior is a threat to American interests and stressed that the American position will not change until the occupation troops leave Cyprus.
“Erdogan’s continued desire to project his absolutism in Cyprus and around the world means that it is more important than ever for America to stand by the Republic of Cyprus. Let’s show the world’s dictators that they cannot unilaterally violate international law by annexing whenever they want. Let’s work until the last Turkish soldier leaves the island of Cyprus for good,” Menendez underlined.
Greek-American MPs against Erdogan
America’s Hellenism emerged strengthened from the midterm elections and warns that it will put a tombstone on Erdogan’s plans for new F-16s.
“Actions speak louder than words, and without substantial change on Turkey’s part, we must continue to work to prevent the transfer of F-16s or other US weapons to the Erdogan regime,” said Democratic Congressman Chris Pope.
Lawmakers and senators make it clear that they will not allow the sale of American weapons as long as Erdogan’s revisionist policy continues.
“Together, he (R. Menendez) and I filed defense budget amendments placing conditions on the sale of F-16s to Turkey, asking them to meet a number of conditions that have not yet been met,” Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen.
“I will continue to work with the Senate to succeed in stopping the sale of F-16s and upgrade kits to Turkey,” said Democratic Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
In the coming weeks, the cross-party amendment imposing strict terms and conditions on the sale of arms to Turkey is expected to be re-filed as part of the defense equipment bill.
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