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The Turkish press is in jubilant tones over the US House of Representatives' decision to completely remove from the defense budget bill the articles that placed restrictive conditions on the sale of F16s to Turkey.
According to Anadolu, which claims to have in its hands the final text of the NDAA bill, this includes the removal of the relevant clauses prohibiting the sale of US fighter jets introduced by Senators Robert Menendez and Chris Pappas, both of whom are known for their proximity to the Greek Cypriot lobby.
The conference committee, which includes senators and representatives from both houses of the US Congress, finalized the NDAA bill, which includes the $857 billion defense budget.
The F-16 transfer section, titled "restrictions on the transfer of F-16 aircraft", included Chris Pope's amendment that would prohibit the U.S. president from selling or authorizing a license to export new F-16 aircraft or upgrade technology or modernization kits to Turkey unless the president provided certain certifications.
However, it should be noted that the amendments were from the beginning merely an additional tool, as Senator Robert Menendez continues to retain veto power as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and thus continues to be considered the politician holding the keys to the F-16.
Turkey is demanding 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and modernization kits for 80 aircraft from US stocks.
Menendez: I have no intention of agreeing to the sale of F-16s to Turkey
Recall that, in recent days, Menendez appeared determined not to give in to any pressure to sell the F-16s."I have no intention of agreeing," he told ERT, calling Turkish strikes in Syria outrageous and unacceptable.
"I have not received any notification, which is obviously part of the process for any arms sales. The government has not sent me any notification. So I guess there is a difference between what is said publicly and what actually happens. But what I am sure of is that whether there is notice or not, I have no intention under the present circumstances of agreeing to any sales of F16s to Turkey."
Source: in.gr
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