The member of the US House of Representatives told SKAI and Apostolos Magheriadis that the NATO alliance can no longer trust Erdogan and stressed that Turkey’s role in the Eastern Mediterranean is destabilizing
The Greek-American Members of Parliament they will do everything they can to prevent the supply of F-16s to Turkey says in his exclusive interview with SKAI and Apostolos Maggiriadis o John Sarbanis, a member of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Sarbanis also states that the NATO alliance can no longer trust Erdogan, since Turkey’s role is destabilizing in the Eastern Mediterranean.
His interview in detail:
Apostolos Maggiriadis: What is your view on Turkey’s role in the region and what is your position on the sale and modernization of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey?
John Sarbanis: Apparently Turkey continues to conduct very aggressive and provocative actions in the eastern Mediterranean, in the Aegean, with these overflights and other acts that are very destabilizing for the region. And they have been doing it for quite some time. That is why members of Congress are very concerned about the prospect of selling F-16s or their modernization kits to Turkey. At this time, they have not proven themselves to be a reliable ally that warrants this type of sale.
Apostolos Maggiriadis: And how do you think Congress will respond to a possible sale proposal from the Biden administration? In other words, what must be done before such a sale takes place?
John Sarbanes: There are a number of notices associated with a sale of this type under the Arms Export Control Act. There are a number of different actions Congress can take, including this week’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This is the big arms export, defense authorization bill that we vote on every year. It’s an opportunity for members of Congress to register their concerns about all things. But there is an amendment that will be tabled. Chris Papas of New Hampshire and other members of Congress from the Greek American community, including myself and others, are leading this effort. But this will make it clear that Congress is not interested in any such sale; unless the government can provide strong and clear assurances that these types of weapons and technology will not be used in the provocative and aggressive manner I have just described.
Apostolos Maggiriadis? Congressman, what is the legislative process until this amendment reaches the final bill and becomes US law? Can you walk us through this process?
John Sarbanis: Over the summer, we will likely finalize the NDAA, as we call it, which will include a provision along the lines I mentioned. It must pass the House of Representatives. It must then be voted on in the United States Senate. There is usually a debate between the Senate and the House to seek all possible provisions. But we’re going to push very hard to make sure that’s in the legislation, to make it clear to the State Department, to the administration, that there’s a lot of concern in Congress, and this should be taken very, very seriously.
Apostolos Maggiriadis: And your colleagues in Congress are fully aware of Turkey’s aggression in the Aegean and open threats against Greece for war, for example?
John Sarbanis: I think so. I think there is high level of information and awareness of Turkey’s behavior recent years. There is a growing appreciation on the part of members of Congress, again, both Republicans and Democrats, that Turkey is a destabilizing influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. For this reason we should look at their behavior with very clear eyes and make sure that we are not aiding and abetting this aggression. So I think the appreciation among members of Congress, including people who are in key positions of influence on various committees, I think the appreciation is deep, and I think it’s going to play a role in the days ahead.
Every day, in every way, o President Erdogan is showing that he cannot be trusted. The United States cannot trust him. I don’t think he can be trusted by the NATO alliance. And so we have to start expressing in a very strong way that new standards must apply when it comes to Turkey’s behavior. And we can start today with those efforts around the F-16. A few years ago, we sent a strong message by delaying the sale of the F 35 to Turkey for very good reasons. I think the F-16 sale is in the same category, and that’s why we’re resisting it in Congress.
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