"AHI opposes
the proposed sale of two FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry class guided
missile frigates to Turkey as contrary to the best interests
of the U.S and the interests and values that the U.S. should
be advancing in the region. The estimated cost is up to
$110 million. Turkey should be using that money instead to boost
its beleaguered economy or to pay part of its $5 billion military
sales debt to the U.S.
"The proposed
sale will not contribute to the foreign policy and national
security objectives of the U.S. as asserted by the DSCA.
Turkey's proposed purchase harms U.S. interests. The U.S. should
be taking advantage of recent improvements in regional stability
to place primacy on economic, political and human rights reforms
in Turkey and good neighborliness.
"More weapons
deliveries will have the opposite effect. Payment will place
an additional burden on Turkish resources, already strained
by the current economic crisis. The result will be to retard
Turkey's economic reforms and development, and postpone even
further the economic and political reforms that are needed if
Turkey is to be a serious candidate for accession to the European
Union.
"The proposed
sale will also strain regional relations. Turkey is the
leading regional military power. Turkey already has seven Perry
class frigates and has no legitimate need for additional frigates
or other military equipment from the U.S. or any other country.
Adding to Turkey's military capabilities will adversely affect
the military balance in the region and, contrary to the assertion
of the DSCA, will unsettle Turkey's neighbors and may trigger
a competitive regional arms race. This, in turn, will undermine
economic progress, political reform and democracy building in
Turkey to the detriment of U.S. interests.
The proposed
sale would clearly be harmful, contrary to the DSCA's assertion,
to U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the
Cyprus question through the current talks.
"In Turkey
the military controls foreign and national security policy under
its constitution and dominates domestic policy. Former French
Ambassador to Turkey, Eric Rouleau, in an exceptional article
in Foreign Affairs entitled "Turkey's Dream of Democracy"
(November/December 2000, pp. 100-114) describes the Turkish
military's control over the Turkish state and the Turkish military's
vast economic holdings. He writes:
'A rigid, nationalist
ideology and a powerful, activist officer corps: this is what
the EU is up against in trying to persuade Turkey to totally
revamp a constitution that institutionalizes the army's dominant
power and blocks any move toward democratization.' (p. 105)
"Following
September 11, the U.S. should be projecting American values
in our foreign relations, not unnecessary arms sales. This
proposed sale gives the wrong signal to Turkey's brave human
rights activists and organizations.
"Turkey
has repeatedly broken Foreign Military Sales Agreements it has
signed with the U.S. and is in violation of the Arms Export
Control Act. In its 1974 invasion of Cyprus, in its campaign
against its Kurdish minority, and in its attacks into Northern
Iraq, Turkey has ignored written agreements with various administrations
that it would not use American weapons in offensive operations
or against civilians.
"The proposed
sale is a continuation of a disastrous arms race fostered
by the U.S. State and Defense Departments and is harmful to
the economies of Turkey and Greece. The proposed sale is also
a danger to regional stability in an area of strategic significance
to the U.S.
"There is
no sound reason to support such a sale. There are several reasons,
as set forth above, to oppose such a sale as contrary to U.S.
foreign policy and national security objectives."
