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Turkey's Threat: $11 Billion In Aerospace Deals With U.S. At Risk

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  • Turkey's Threat: $11 Billion In Aerospace Deals With U.S. At Risk

    TURKEY'S THREAT: $11 BILLION IN AEROSPACE DEALS WITH U.S. AT RISK

    World Tribune
    http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/W TARC/2010/me_turkey0183_03_08.asp
    March 9 2010

    WASHINGTON -- Turkey's status as a major client for U.S. aerospace
    companies may be in jeopardy, according to industry officials.

    Marion Blakey, who leads an association that represents major
    U.S. aerospace companies, said the association had expected that
    Turkey would order more than $11 billion in defense and aerospace
    equipment and platforms in 2010.

    "Critical national security, economic and diplomatic relations with
    our ally Turkey are threatened," Blakey, president of the Aerospace
    Industries Association, said.

    Lobbyists said Turkey could suspend procurement of U.S. civilian
    and military aircraft in the wake of the passage of a resolution
    in Congress on the Armenian genocide during World War I. Turkey,
    which has denied involvement in the killing of one million Armenians,
    has threatened retaliation for the House Foreign Relations Committee
    vote on March 4.

    "Turkey and the United States have important and long-standing
    strategic and economic ties," Blakey said. "Turkey is a strong
    democracy, a fellow member of NATO and a critical partner in the war
    against terrorists."

    Blakey did not cite Turkish procurement projects. But industry sources
    said Turkey had planned to submit its first order of the Joint Strike
    Fighter as well as select the winner of a multi-billion-dollar utility
    helicopter tender in 2010.

    In his March 5 statement, Blakey urged President Barack Obama and
    Congress to stop the Armenian genocide resolution. He stressed that
    Turkey played a key role in the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan.

    "We're urging President Obama and the Speaker of the House to ensure
    that the resolution doesn't go to the House floor for a vote," Blakey
    said. "There is simply too much at stake."
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