It is “apples and oranges” with Turkey, State Department official said.
As tensions escalate between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has negotiated a plan to expand America’s military presence in Crete.
Following a series of meetings between Secretary Pompeo and high-level Greek officials, the State Department reported, “Here at Souda Bay, we expanded the scope of the facility, which is governed by our bilateral defense cooperation agreement. We expanded the envelope where we can make U.S. investments… for purposes of our operational capabilities.”
The agreement includes stationing the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, permanently in Crete. However, the permanent positioning there and the extended cooperation with Greece should not be regarded as a sign of American unease in Turkey, the State Department maintained.
“So it’s apples and oranges in terms of our operations in Turkey, which are important but stand on their own than what we’re doing here in Greece,” according to a senior State Department official.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and leaders of America’s military, as they move ahead with adding U.S. military presence in Crete.
- For the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey as President Erdogan moves his nation farther from NATO ideals.
- For Americans stationed at military bases in Turkey.
Sources: New York Times, Washington Examiner
