US diplomat warns Turkey of eroding support, urges Ankara to demonstrate commitment to WestJune 26, 2010 - 16:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The remarks by Philip Gordon, the Obama administration's top diplomat on European affairs, were a rare admonishment of a crucial NATO ally. "We think Turkey remains committed to NATO, Europe and the United States, but that needs to be demonstrated," Gordon told The Associated Press in an interview. "There are people asking questions about it in a way that is new, and that in itself is a bad thing that makes it harder for the United States to support some of the things that Turkey would like to see us support." Gordon cited Turkey's vote against a U.S.-backed United Nations Security Council resolution on new sanctions against Iran and noted Turkish rhetoric after Israel's deadly assault on a Gaza-bound flotilla last month. The Security Council vote came shortly after Turkey and Brazil, to Washington's annoyance, had brokered a nuclear fuel-swap deal with Iran as an effort to delay or avoid new sanctions. Some U.S. lawmakers who have supported Turkey have lashed out and warned of consequences for Ankara since the Security Council vote and the flotilla raid that left eight Turks and one Turkish-American dead. The lawmakers accused Turkey of supporting a flotilla that aimed to undermine Israel's blockade of Gaza and of cozying up to Iran. The raid has led to chilling of ties between Turkey and Israel, countries that have long maintained a strategic alliance in the Middle East. Gordon said Turkey's explanations of the U.N. episode have not been widely understood in Washington, Lethbridge Herald reported. "There is a lot of questioning going on about Turkey's orientation and its ongoing commitment to strategic partnership with the United States," he said. "Turkey, as a NATO ally and a strong partner of the United States not only didn't abstain but voted no, and I think that Americans haven't understood why." Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Yerevan says received 10th draft of peace treaty proposals from Baku Armen Grigoryan has revealed that Armenia has received the 10th package of peace treaty proposals from Azerbaijan. Kevin Spacey to attend Golden Apricot Film Festival in Yerevan Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey will be a guest of honor at the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival 2024, the press service of the festival reports. EU, EAEU are incompatible, Russia tells Armenia The arrival of extra-regional players in Armenia “will have consequences,” Russian Deputy PM Alexei Overchuk has said. Armenia top European Youth Team Chess Championships after Round 4 The Armenian national team top the standings at the European Youth Team Chess Championships 2024 on the Greek island of Rhodes. |