ANKARA—Turkey is reportedly linking its purchase of a multi billion-dollar air-defense system to whether the bidder countries recognize the Armenian genocide.
That news, reported by a number of Turkish media, is the latest unexpected turn in the multi-year saga over the arms deal. The original bidders for the deal were companies representing the United States, Europe, China, and Russia, giving the program the air of a geopolitical litmus test. When Turkey announced that it planned to give the Chinese company the contract, it faced a barrage of pressure from its NATO allies who were concerned that linking that system with NATO air defense equipment already in Turkey could expose NATO secrets to China.
All along, Turkey has denied that there was any political subtext to its decision, saying that its choice of China was related solely to questions of price and the fact that China would hand over more of the technology to Turkey. Now, though, that appears to have changed. With the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide approaching in April, Ankara is reportedly waiting to see how the various bidders mark that event.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has said that whichever system it buys will not be linked to NATO’s. That would seem to open the door for buying the Chinese equipment. But it also has extended the deadline for the Chinese, American, and European bidders until the summer — as Defense News notes, the sixth time it has made such an extension.
But the U.S. bid was relatively unlikely to win; the second-place offer, after China’s, was that of Eurosam, based in France, a country which not only recognized the genocide but even criminalized genocide denial.
Kick Turkey, the terrorist state, out of NATO.
Turkey’s BACKSIDE belongs to Russia and china.
Turkey can portray any game it wants. They must dance to RUSSIAN tune.
When push comes to shove, Turkey must abandon USA/NATO and join Russia/China.
NATO must be a fool thinking Turkey is on their side!
Turkey and Azerbaijan will be Russia’s first PROJECT during any future war.
“All that glitters is not gold”.
So what you’re saying is Turkey, a NATO member, is being dishonest to the rest of NATO.
NATO is a collective of nations who have agreed on mutual defense. If Turkey is not willing to live up to its NATO obligations, then it’s being dishonest to everyone else in the organization.
New Turkey, with Ottoman mentality can not fool China either. Terrorist Oighur Turks in Southern China, constantly have clashes with Chinese police force!
At what point does it become financially and politically expedient for Turkey to just say WTF, come clean and be done with it?????
It sure seems like the genocide recognition movement is gaining momentum.
Oooooh… So ridiculous. How far can go the imagination of a lunatic? Of course Turkey could do this if Armenians fight for the recognition of the occupation of their land but never for genocide. Being genocide victim is a shame for any nation, you know, because it shows that they did not defend themselves and their neighbors and let their enemy to kill everybody. Turks organized themselves and got rid of their enemies and they are being a respected nation. That is it.
The bottom line is Turkey is guilty of Genocide. Why does Turkey need any weapons? To murder more people than she already has?
No one should sell any weapons to this barbarian Turkish government. Plain and simple.
The U.S. diplomats,for years have given us false feedback on jerky turkey.,after the jerks filled their back pockets with BRIBES…..
Turkey’s AKP party boss Rajab Oghloo digging his own hole.
France will side with us that’s for sure. USA, I’m not sure. But Turkey has no chance to influence France.
What will Turkey do if China and US recognize the Genocide, go to the planet Mars to make his purchases?
here again goes the shortsightedness of Turkey, nevertheless Turkey can’t expect the world to sell for few bucks their freedom forever.
If the USA finally does recognize the Genocide and the Turks refuse to buy their missile system from us as a result,then the USA should cut off the $4+ billion they give them every year. How do you like them apples?
Mother Russia has already recognized the genocide, how are they expected to win the contract bid?
Put your trust in God my Armenian brothern!