Turkey Visited By JINSA Delegation

Expanding Russian influence in the eastern Mediterranean, a disturbing arms buildup by Greek Cyprus, delayed arms shipments, continuing sanctions on Iraq, and expanding ties between Turkey and Israel were some of the many issues discussed by a visiting JINSA delegation and the highest levels of the Turkish military in Ankara, January 19-24, 1997.

Expanding Russian influence in the eastern Mediterranean, a disturbing arms buildup by Greek Cyprus, delayed arms shipments, continuing sanctions on Iraq, and expanding ties between Turkey and Israel were some of the many issues discussed by a visiting JINSA delegation and the highest levels of the Turkish military in Ankara, January 19-24, 1997.

In cooperation with the Turkish General Staff, JINSA brought a group of distinguished retired American general and flag officers who held high positions in NATO and the Pentagon to meet with their active duty Turkish counterparts for informal discussions of subjects of mutual interest in order to enhance U.S.-Turkish relations. Important points discussed in detail included:

American commitments for arms transfers – The United States has failed to provide Turkey with needed defense equipment, seriously weakening American credibility with a vital ally. In the case of three surplus FFG-7 frigates, delayed for more than a year, President Clinton gave public commitments that the long promised transfer would occur. Months have passed with congressional approval as unlikely as before. Turkey has already spent $40 million on crew training and other associated costs in anticipation of receiving these ships. Due to Senate blocking, the transfer of the ships has been held up for more than a year. As a result, Turkey has removed U.S. shipyards from bidding on 5 new frigates. Recently, Turkey canceled a deal to buy 10 Super Cobra helicopters when it became clear that Congress would not approve the deal. Also, a Turkish request to buy American utility helicopters has been met with congressional opposition.

Cyprus – The planned acquisition of Russian S-300 (SA-10) surface-to-air missiles and the recent purchase of Russian T-80 tanks by Greek Cyprus (rounding out the second of two new armored brigades) is considered by Turkey to be exceedingly threatening. The impact these purchases of front-line weaponry from Russia by Greece (a NATO member) may have within NATO is of yet unknown but could be quite serious. There are more than 30,000 Russian nationals on Cyprus including more than 500 attached to Moscow’s embassy. According to the delegation’s briefers, Cyprus has become a major Russian center for governmental intelligence operations. It has also become a center for shady international banking, money laundering, organized crime, illegal arms sales, and narcotics trafficking.

PKK – The anti-insurgency campaign against the terrorist Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in southeast Turkey continues. The Turkish military, is focusing on both improving the infrastructure in this impoverished region to raise standard of living and proving false the PKK’s Marxist separatist message, as well as confronting PKK terrorists militarily. The PKK obtains much of its operating revenue from heavy involvement in narcotics smuggling and distribution in Europe. Turks are working closely with Europol and individual governments on this issue. Greece and Cyprus have expanded ties with the anti-Turk PKK. There are reports of PKK training and logistic centers on Cyprus and Greek parliamentarians have visited PKK bases in the Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley of Lebanon and met with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Cooperation with Israel – The relationship in the military sphere is proceeding apace with Turkey pleased. Despite political costs for associating with Israel, such cooperation is viewed by the Turkish military as a benefit to both countries in increasing combat effectiveness. The Turkish military would like to see more public U.S. support for the Turkey-Israel relationship. Expanded cooperative military agreements seem likely to be announced in the wake of Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Ismail Karadayi’s scheduled mid-February 1997 visit to Israel. In the economic sphere, a trade agreement between Turkey and Israel – signed March 1996 effective March 1997 – will open trade and keep it normalized and standardized. The agreement deals with property rights, anti-dumping, and government involvement in trade.