Turkey Again Threatens the West…

• 02.17.2015, 19:39
•  Region,  World

Turkish government is going to use the disputed multibillion dollar contract for the construction of its first long-range air and anti-missile defense system to make pressure on France and the US not to initiate anti-Turkish steps on the eve of April 24, the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The multibillion dollar contract has been for a long time subject of rivalry between the US and France. As Hurriyet reports in September 2013 Turkey chose a Chinese company to construct its air defense system. This kind of decision from Turkey met a strong opposition of the Western countries. Western opposition made Turkish government to start parallel negotiations with European contenders thus presenting them an opportunity to also participate in the multibillion program competition. At present Turkey is engaged in simultaneous negotiations with Chinese Precision Machinery Import Export Corp (CPMIEC) manufacturer and the European contender in the program "Eurosam". Turkey’s top defense procurement agency has already conducted an assessment of those companies as a result of which CPMIEC was selected as a best bidder in the project by the Defense Industry Executive Committee. In the second place is "Eurosam" European company, while the US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin comes only in the third place.

On the occasion a government official from Turkey declared that Turkey will refrain from announcing the results of tender competition before April 24. As Hurriyet reports in this context Turkish defense procurement official particularly noted: "We have agreed with the defense procurement official government leaders not to rush to a decision any time soon. A decision before April 24 is out of the question."

According to the Turkish defense industry source they expect tough rivalry between the French and US companies in the second half of 2015. In addition the same defense procurement official warned the countries of those companies  against committing any anti-Turkish steps before April 24, 2015 particularly stating: "Both of them are surely aware that how their governments tackle the centennial will be critical for success or failure", - Hurriyet reports.

The multidimensional strategy of Turkey, which evolves on the eve of 100^th anniversary of Armenian Genocide to use every opportunity to make pressure on other countries at different levels, proves the weakness of the Turkish position on the issue. The strategy of the Turkish government  to use the language of threats and as well as Turkish government recent decision to commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Dardanelle on the same day the Armenians mourn the  death of 1.500.000 Armenians, only speaks of low  morality of the Turkish government representatives.