Tweet
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Jan 26 2007
Army anxious to complete major arms deals with US
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are reportedly anxious about signing
major arms deals with the US by March before the possible adoption of
a resolution early in April by the US Congress recognizing the World
War I killings of Armenians as genocide. Turkey denies the genocide
allegations while urging Armenia to discuss the issue through
historians of both countries.
The balance in US Congress changed in favor of the Democrats
following the November mid-term elections last year, increasing
prospects for the adoption of the Armenian genocide bill by US
lawmakers. The possible adoption of the resolution might go through
despite objections from President Bush.
Bearing this in mind, Turkish generals have reportedly been asking
the country's military procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for
the Defense Industry (SSM), to complete major projects with the US by
March at the latest, said senior local industry sources.
The US administration should get permission from the Congress for any
arms deal and the possible adoption of the Armenian resolution would
signal major difficulties facing Washington in obtaining approval
from US lawmakers for arms sales to Turkey. Similarly, because of
Turkish public reaction, it would become difficult for Turkey to sign
any arms deals with the US if the resolution was adopted.
Meanwhile, some of the military projects that Turkey is interested in
include the purchase of additional US Lockheed Martin-made F-16
fighters planes, the purchase of at least two Aerostat balloons at a
cost of around $6 to $7 million each for deployment on the
Turkish-Iraqi border region to monitor PKK terrorists, as well as the
acquisition of around 116 Joint Strike Fighter-F-35s worth around $12
billion.
Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül is currently in the US
to sign the JSF fighter plane deal, sealing Turkish participation in
the fighter plane's production stage. Turkey is also said to be
interested in purchasing two Lockheed Martin-made Aerostats, or
static balloons that float at around 1500 meters of altitude. At a
time of increased speculation that the Turkish military could stage a
cross-border operation into Northern Iraq to pursue PKK terrorists,
most possibly in late March in coordination with the US, the TSK have
allegedly been urging the SSM to hasten this project. The Aerostats
can detect any moving objects including human beings.
Degree of Turkish reaction to genocide bill to affect Turkish
markets.
Meanwhile, well informed Western analysts speaking to Today's Zaman
stated that the degree of Turkish reaction to the possible adoption
of the Armenian genocide resolution would have an effect on the
Turkish markets.
"The adoption of an Armenian genocide bill by the French Parliament
did not have much of an impact on the Turkish markets. But if Turkey
reacts strongly against the Armenian bill, if adopted by the US
Congress, Turkish markets will become very sensitive and some foreign
investors may pull out their money," said a London-based analyst.
Turkish-US relations have seen considerable improvement in the past
months, in particular between the militaries of both countries as
mutual visits are frequent. The Turkish Parliament's rejection of a
government decree on March 1, 2003 that would have allowed Turkish
soil to be used by US soldiers for their invasion of Iraq the same
year had a severe impact on the relations of the two NATO allies. The
US administration does not want relations with Turkey, the only
Muslim member of NATO and an important strategic ally, to receive
another blow with the adoption of the genocide bill.
26.01.2007
Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu
Jan 26 2007
Army anxious to complete major arms deals with US
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are reportedly anxious about signing
major arms deals with the US by March before the possible adoption of
a resolution early in April by the US Congress recognizing the World
War I killings of Armenians as genocide. Turkey denies the genocide
allegations while urging Armenia to discuss the issue through
historians of both countries.
The balance in US Congress changed in favor of the Democrats
following the November mid-term elections last year, increasing
prospects for the adoption of the Armenian genocide bill by US
lawmakers. The possible adoption of the resolution might go through
despite objections from President Bush.
Bearing this in mind, Turkish generals have reportedly been asking
the country's military procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for
the Defense Industry (SSM), to complete major projects with the US by
March at the latest, said senior local industry sources.
The US administration should get permission from the Congress for any
arms deal and the possible adoption of the Armenian resolution would
signal major difficulties facing Washington in obtaining approval
from US lawmakers for arms sales to Turkey. Similarly, because of
Turkish public reaction, it would become difficult for Turkey to sign
any arms deals with the US if the resolution was adopted.
Meanwhile, some of the military projects that Turkey is interested in
include the purchase of additional US Lockheed Martin-made F-16
fighters planes, the purchase of at least two Aerostat balloons at a
cost of around $6 to $7 million each for deployment on the
Turkish-Iraqi border region to monitor PKK terrorists, as well as the
acquisition of around 116 Joint Strike Fighter-F-35s worth around $12
billion.
Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül is currently in the US
to sign the JSF fighter plane deal, sealing Turkish participation in
the fighter plane's production stage. Turkey is also said to be
interested in purchasing two Lockheed Martin-made Aerostats, or
static balloons that float at around 1500 meters of altitude. At a
time of increased speculation that the Turkish military could stage a
cross-border operation into Northern Iraq to pursue PKK terrorists,
most possibly in late March in coordination with the US, the TSK have
allegedly been urging the SSM to hasten this project. The Aerostats
can detect any moving objects including human beings.
Degree of Turkish reaction to genocide bill to affect Turkish
markets.
Meanwhile, well informed Western analysts speaking to Today's Zaman
stated that the degree of Turkish reaction to the possible adoption
of the Armenian genocide resolution would have an effect on the
Turkish markets.
"The adoption of an Armenian genocide bill by the French Parliament
did not have much of an impact on the Turkish markets. But if Turkey
reacts strongly against the Armenian bill, if adopted by the US
Congress, Turkish markets will become very sensitive and some foreign
investors may pull out their money," said a London-based analyst.
Turkish-US relations have seen considerable improvement in the past
months, in particular between the militaries of both countries as
mutual visits are frequent. The Turkish Parliament's rejection of a
government decree on March 1, 2003 that would have allowed Turkish
soil to be used by US soldiers for their invasion of Iraq the same
year had a severe impact on the relations of the two NATO allies. The
US administration does not want relations with Turkey, the only
Muslim member of NATO and an important strategic ally, to receive
another blow with the adoption of the genocide bill.
26.01.2007
Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu