The International Coordinating Committee ‘Justice for Cyprus’ PSEKA has announced a campaign to inform the US Congress about the dangers of the possible transfer of F-35 fighter jets and other advanced military technology to Turkey, warning that strengthening Turkey’s military capabilities could heighten the risk of ‘a new Eastern Mediterranean crisis.’
In a press release entitled ‘Transfer of F-35s to Turkey Poses a Clear and Present Danger,’ the organization links its initiative to the anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, arguing that such a decision would increase the exposure of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus ‘to Turkey’s threats and illegal ambitions.’
‘July 20th is a dark day of commemoration of Turkey’s illegal invasion of our ally, Cyprus,’ the press release said. PSEKA noted that American-made arms were used during the invasion, stressing that Turkey ‘invaded the Republic of Cyprus and killed more than 5,000 innocent people, executed prisoners, including five American citizens, and over one third of the island remains illegally occupied.’
The organization said it was prepared to notify ‘all US Senators, members of the House of Representatives and their staff’ about the dangers that, in its assessment, would arise from the possible transfer of the fighter jets. It also urged Greek American organizations ‘to activate a campaign against such transfers.’
In a letter addressed to members of Congress and signed by PSEKA President Philip Christopher and Coordinated Effort of Hellenes President Andrew E. Manatos, the organizations argue that ‘a vote for F-35s for Turkey’ would condone and encourage dangers to American security.
Among other issues, the letter refers to Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 system and asks: ‘Can we trust Erdogan to ensure sensitive information related to the F-35 does not find its way to Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang?’
‘Countries receive an F-35 because Washington believes they will safeguard its technology and not pass it on to Russia. Turkey broke that trust when it bought the S-400s,’ it is noted.
The authors also warn that ‘Turkey’s acquisition of the F-35 could result in America’s enemies acquiring information about the fighter jet,’ with possible consequences for Americans and US allies in future conflicts.
The letter also cites Ankara’s relations with Hamas, asking: ‘Should an ally of Hamas have America’s most advanced fighter jet?’ It further states that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has allowed Hamas ‘to make Istanbul its de facto headquarters.’
Particular reference is also made to Greek-Turkish relations. PSEKA notes that the Turkish president has invoked his warning that Turkey ‘may come suddenly one night,’ language which, according to the letter, is interpreted as ‘a military threat against Greece.’
At the same time, the organization accuses Ankara of using its ‘Blue Homeland doctrine’ to assert Turkish maritime claims that ‘overlap Greek and Cypriot waters’ and call into question Greek islands and the Republic of Cyprus’s offshore drilling rights.
‘A positive vote for the F-35s would strip Greece of one of the few decisive military advantages it currently holds over its far larger neighbor,’ it said.
In the section of the letter concerning Cyprus, it is noted that Turkey had committed to ‘use US military equipment for defensive purposes only,’ but, according to PSEKA, ‘used our arms to attack their closest Western World country – Cyprus.’
‘They used US arms in Cyprus supposedly for peacekeeping purposes. Then they executed and dumped into mass graves five Americans and 1,500 Cypriots – children, women and men – and militarily occupied over one third of the country,’ it is added.
Moreover it is noted that Turkey had pledged to ‘use lifting the US arms embargo to ‘save face’ so they could withdraw troops from Cyprus. Instead, however, they flooded the 116,000 Western World Turkish Cypriots with 220,000 Eastern World Turks, thus violating their commitment to the United States as well as Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention.’
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.