By letter sent to Donald Trump The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) calls for Caatsa sanctions and non -reintegration of Turkey in their program F-35 fighters.
In the letter to Donald Trump, Ahi expresses his vertical contrast to the return of Ankara to the F-35 fighter program even if the neighboring country chooses to abandon the Russian system of the S-400, The acquisition of which had led to the activation of Caatsa sanctions.
Following President Trump’s telephone conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a report by Fox News argued that the US government is developing a compromise on the Russian S-400 issue. Some of the possible scenarios heard are associated with partial disassembly of the system or even by transferring it to an American military base within Turkey.
However, AHI places the issue of the F-35s on a broader basis, explaining in detail the anti-compassionate and destabilizing behavior of Turkey, which, as it claims to harm the US interests. “Turkey should remove the S-400 system not to obtain bargaining benefits from the United States but Because this is its obligation to the US and NATO. The US cannot reward Turkey to tackle a problem it has created, “the Ahi letter said.
The letter of the US Hellenic Institute
We are writing about recent publications concerning possible proposals for Turkey’s reintegration into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fighter program. Any such agreement would also require the lifting of sanctions imposed on Turkey through the law on the treatment of US opponents through sanctions (CAATSA).
On the basis of these reports, we are writing you to strongly encourage you to strongly oppose any possible reintegration of Turkey to the F-35 program under any circumstances, whether it is “sealing” or the complete removal of the S-400 missile system. Additional, We invite you to support the maintenance of sanctions imposed on Turkey Through the Caatsa law, as Ankara has not shown any substantial change in its policy that proves its dedication to the United States and NATO.
In 2017, Turkey signed an agreement with Russia on the acquisition of the S-400 system, despite the clear and repeated US warnings at the highest level that the market for this system would endanger the safety of US military technology and staff, would fund the Russian and Russian sector. As a result, during your first term as president of the United States, the US has imposed sanctions on Turkey through the Caatsa law and ended its participation in the F-35 program.
The US cannot reward Turkey to address a problem it created
Turkey had received clear and repeated warnings that it would be eliminated from the F-35 program if it were marketing the S-400, but chose to do so anyway. If she is now allowed to reintegrate into the program and lifted the sanctions merely by removing the system, the message will be sent that her initial decision to obtain it will remain unpunished. Turkey should remove the S-400 system not to obtain negotiating benefits from the United States, but because it is its obligation to the US and NATO. The US cannot reward Turkey to tackle a problem it has created.
In addition, there is no guarantee that Turkey will not re-conquer or reactivate the S-400 after acquiring the F-35s. It will also be extremely difficult, both at the operational and diplomatic level, to ensure that the F-35s will be used by Turkey in accordance with the US legal framework.
It is likely, if not certain, that if Turkey acquires F-35, it will use them in violation of US law. For example, there are reports that Turkey used F-16 American origin During the Azerbaijan war with Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In addition, Turkey has carried out illegal overflows over the Greek territory with its F-16s. The use of US weapons by Turkey for purposes other than its self -defense is a violation of the ARMS Export Control Act law, which stipulates that US weapons should be used exclusively for legal self -defense.
Turkey continues to use US weapons for the military occupation of the Republic of Cyprus. As stated in the title 22, paragraph 2373 of the Code of Laws of the United States, Congress found that “40,000 Turkish soldiers are parked in the occupied part of Cyprus”using equipment that includes “weapons supplied by the United States through mainland Turkey”.
Turkey continues to present “serious issues of human rights”
Regardless of the fate of the S-400 system, Turkey’s recent and timeless actions prove that it has diverged significantly from US policy and, therefore, should not be granted F-35 aircraft nor the sanctions imposed through the CAATSA law. Turkey continues: attacking Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the US, jeopardizing the fight against ISIS, It continues to provoke US allies, such as Israel, Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, Provide economic, logistical and political support to US terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, and act in ways that contradict the interests of the United States.
In addition, according to the US Foreign Ministry, Turkey continues to present “serious human rights issues”, such as arbitrary executions, torture, torture, Restrictions on freedom of press and expression, and repression of the opposition. Based on these actions, which are contrary to the values and interests of the United States, Turkey is not able to receive the F-35s or to see Caatsa’s sanctions.
Therefore, we ask you:
• Carefully oppose any action that would allow Turkey to reintegrate into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
• Continue to urge Turkey to remove the S-400 system-not in return for concessions from the United States, but because its acquisition was initially opposed to US interests.
• Continue to oppose the lifting of sanctions imposed on Turkey through the CAATSA law.