Posted on 06/27/2002 11:11:15 PM PDT by pkpjamestown
Issues: In an intensive military modernization drive, Turkey is planning to purchase several major weapons systems in deals worth billions of dollars each. Of most concern to those interested in promoting human rights and peace in Turkey is a plan to buy 145 Bell Textron AH-1Z KingCobra attack helicopters. During Turkey's 16-year-old fight against Kurdish rebels, human rights groups and the U.S. State Department have documented Turkey's use of U.S.-origin attack helicopters in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. For example, the military has launched indiscriminate attacks on Kurdish villages, forcing hundreds of thousands of villagers to flee. Despite overtures to peace talks by the Kurdish rebels, the Turkish military continues to pursue an all-out military victory, including incursions into Iraqi territory that not only violate international law but also the No Fly Zone established by U.S. and coalition forces to protect the Iraqi Kurdish population. Because outside observers are not allowed into the region of conflict, the U.S. would be unable to verify whether U.S. equipment continued to be used in an abusive manner.
According to law and policy under successive past administrations, the U.S. government also has a responsibility to link arms transfers to the general human rights situation in the recipient state. In late 1997, when the State Department permitted U.S. companies to market helicopters to Turkey for this sale, senior officials stated that they would not recommend final authorization for the sale if certain improvements were not made in Turkey's human rights practices. According to the State Department's own human rights report, Turkey is still experiencing tremendous human rights problems. Although the Bush administration is not bound by the specific pledge of previous officials, a reversal of this position would signal to Turkey that the U.S. government no longer prioritizes human rights in Turkey.
Expected Decision: Winter 2001-02. Contract negotiations have been underway since August 2000, but severe financial problems in Turkey and a dispute with the Pentagon over local production of the mission computer have delayed the final procurement decision.
Are you kidding? They LOVE Europe. More than anything, they want to be thought of as an integral part of Europe, EU membership and all.
The Turks, and especially the military, see radical Islamism for what it really is, and do their best to stifle it. They are big, strong friends in a tough neghborhood. I am glad that they are getting these awesome weapons of war and I hope they soon get a chance to use them on some of their pestilent neighbors.
They do need to sort out their weird problem with Greece, but I hold the Greeks at least as responsible for any tensions.
-ccm
I really do not understand why the author of this article is trying to depict Turkey as the 'bad guy.' Quite possibly Turkey is the only real Islamic-affiliated nation in that region that supports the US (and if someone tries to add Saudi Arabia or Pakistan then they need to seriously scrutinize those nations.....especially what they say in Arabic).
Anyways Turkey is a staunch supporter of the US and most of the virtues of a liberal society....which makes attacking the purchase of KingCobras by the Turkish military quite weird! And again...even if we did not supply them with the AH-1Zs there is a good chance they would opt for the EuroCopter Tiger, or a slew of other combat copters that have equal capability!
And also it i liked your answer CCMAY to the question of Turkey attacking Europe. First of all as you said the Turks have no reason to attack Europe. However there is a second more powerful reason.....even IF they wanted to they would not be able! True, they have a strong military capability....but the times of Turkish Sultanates and swarms of Turkish Jannisaries with their cannon are long gone. The Turkish empire was definitely one of the most powerful in centuries past....and then they did not only have the power but actually invaded Europe.....but that was then and this is now. The eras of the Jannisary are long gone...and modern Turks are actually more European than most 'traditional' Europeans.
The Turkish military today is quite profecient in their calling...however they are no threat to Europe (although France and Italy would probably surrender the moment they heard the word 'invasion.' LOL.
By the way good call VaBthang4 on the Australian thing about them thinking to purchase the JSF(you sent me a ping on the issue). Well, i guess the whole thing on the Sukhois (SU-33)was a bunch of hot air. I should check my sources more in the future...lol (although i think it was probably a ruse by the Aussies to maybe bring down the mark price...especially when they were going after the SuperHornet E/F). Just mere speculation!
I really do not understand why the author of this article is trying to depict Turkey as the 'bad guy.'Because old habits are difficult to break.
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