Greek Americans wants US ambassador in Turkey recalled

THE AMERICAN Hellenic Institute (AHI) has asked Washington to recall its ambassador to Turkey after he described Turkey as a country that “does not invade its neighbours”, and as being closer to the EU than Cyprus,

AHI said that in a three-part interview with Turkey’s Sabah newspaper, this month US ambassador to James Jeffrey answered a large array of questions regarding Turkey’s role in the region.

“Ambassador Jeffrey’s responses for the public record were alarming and bring into question the Obama Administration’s policy as it specifically relates to Cyprus,” said AHI, calling on President Barack Obama to immediately recall the ambassador.

“AHI views the ambassador’s remarks as unacceptable, disappointing and damaging to U.S. interests,” the organisation said in a statement, which included excerpts from the interview.

The interviewer, Nur Batur, asked the US ambassador:  “Do you still support Turkey’s EU process?”

Jeffrey’s response was: “Of course, I am hopeful.  Because the values of Turkey and the EU are very compatible.  Turkey is a democratic country.  It is a free market economy.  It is a peaceful country.  It doesn’t invade neighbours.  It has security concerns in Cyprus and in Northern Iraq.  Basically, Turkey is a country with peace and stability elements in the region and reflects European values…Moreover, geographically, Turkey is closer to the EU than Cyprus.  Cyprus was still an EU member when I last checked.  As a matter of fact, most of Turkey is closer to Berlin or Paris. Under these conditions what keeps Turkey out of the EU?”

He also said that Turkey was playing an important role in the region with its zero-conflict policy. Ankara’s approach in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Caucasus, in Balkans and Cyprus was “positive”, the ambassador added.

AHI said: “In essence is Ambassador Jeffrey justifying or supporting the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus when he states that Turkey has security concerns there?  Also, the ambassador uses flawed logic if he contends geography takes precedence above all other criteria to join the EU.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.