Turkey Prepares for Retaliatory Measures in Genocide Bill Aftermath

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the called-back-to-Ankara Turkish Ambassador Namik Tan discussed possible retaliatory measures as reaction to the US House Resolution on the Armenian Genocide being approved on March 4.

Turkish daily Star, citing anonymous diplomatic sources, reports that included in the retaliatory measures are issues related to security, particularly with reference to Iran and Afghanistan.

“Davutoglu and Tan discussed what Ankara’s possible retaliatory measures would be if US President Barack Obama uses the term Genocide in his April 24 address. Possible measures include reviewing cooperation in Turkish-American foreign policy, and delaying talks on the Lockheed F-35 fighter jet, the $1.2 billion USD deal with Boeing for 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and Patriot missile sales.

“The first retaliatory steps will be resigning from supporting the US in Iran and Afghanistan,” reports the Turkish daily.