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August 16, 2010

US Threatens to Cut Off Arms Deal to Turkey over Criticism of Israel
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The Financial Times is reporting President Obama has personally warned
Turkey that unless it shifts its position on Israel and Iran, it could
be cut off from future US arms deals. During a meeting at the G20 in
Toronto, Obama reportedly met with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and
called on Turkey to cool its rhetoric about an Israeli raid that killed
nine Turks on a flotilla bearing aid for Gaza. In addition, Obama
criticized Turkey for voting against UN sanctions on Iran. Obama’s
warning to Turkey is seen as particularly significant because Ankara
wants to buy American drone aircraft that could be used to attack the
Kurdish separatist group PKK after the US military pulls out of Iraq.



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