Great mobilization within the Greek -American community has brought the visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to White House. In a letter to President Donald Trump, the president of the US Hellenic Institute (AHI), Nick Laryngakis, is asking the US leader to adopt a strict attitude towards Turkey.
Shortly before the White House threshold, Recep Tayyip Erdogan reports that Ankara continues practices that contradict the Strategic interests of the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the same context, it calls on the US government to reject any new equipment programs for Turkey, including F-16 and F-35 fighters.
The letter refers extensively to a series of issues that, according to the Institute, demonstrate Turkey’s unreliable attitude as an ally. Among them are the continuing occupation of Cyprus and the human rights violations of the Cypriots, the Cypriots, the presence of Turkish troops in Syria and the oppression of the Kurds, The threats against Greek domination by violations of airspace and disputes of maritime borders, as well as the rhetoric of tension cultivated by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Specific reference is made to the restrictions that the Ecumenical Patriarchate exists in the exercise of his religious freedom, the repeated threats against Israel and the political, accounting and financial support that Ankara provides in Washington terrorist organizations such as Hamas.
At the same time, the letter condemns the acquisition of the Russian S-400, Erdogan’s growing political and strategic approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jing, as well as Ankara’s proclaimed intention to join the BRICS. It is also highlighted Turkey’s open support in Azerbaijan during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, But also the inaction of the Turkish government to prevent attacks on US military on Turkish territory.
“We invite you to reinforce the US commitment to alliances and partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean and make it clear that the threats against Greece, the Republic of Cyprus and Israel are unacceptable. Turkey’s actions require a decisive, clear and public response on the part of the US, Putting Turkey before its responsibilities for violations of international law and actions against US regional interests, “Mr Laryngakis argues.
In the same vein, the letter states that Turkish claims under the doctrine of the “blue homeland” are escalating tension, hinder US efforts to deal with malicious influences and delay energy projects involving US companies. Also, It is noted that Ankara has sought to undermine Greece-US defense cooperation, Criticism for the presence of US military bases, such as Souda in Crete, and has also intervened against the deepening of US-Cyprus defense cooperation.
Finally, special importance has been given to the continued illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey for 51 years. As stated in the letter, the presence of Turkish soldiers in the occupied area using US weapons violates the Law on Operation of Weapons Exports, which stipulates that US weapon systems can be used solely for the purposes of legal self -defense.