Armitage to head U.S.-Turkey defense lobby, replacing Scowcroft
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
WASHINGTON — Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has been named chairman of the American-Turkish Council, which largely promotes defense trade between Ankara and Washington.
Armitage, who served in the administration of then-President George Bush, replaced former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, who served as chairman the leading pro-Turkey defense lobby for nine years. "Ambassador Armitage will begin his service as chairman, Jan. 1, 2010," ATC said on Nov. 13.
ATC, formed more than 20 years ago, has served to lobby the United States to expand defense cooperation and trade with Turkey. The council has included senior executives from such U.S. defense majors as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft.
Over the last three years, U.S. defense companies have stayed away from many Turkish military tenders. Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretariat introduced new requirements for bidders, including co-production and technology transfer, conditions blocked by the State Department.
Executives said Armitage, who flew to Ankara in mid-November, plans to persuade the Defense Department and State Department to relax defense export restrictions to Turkey, a leading member of NATO. They said Armitage would argue that Turkey fills a unique strategic position, the only NATO ally that neighbors Iran, Iraq and Syria.
"Gen. Scowcroft and Ambassador Armitage will travel to Turkey November 16-20 for senior-level discussions with Turkey's government, military and business leadership," ATC said. "This timely visit will assure the smoothest possible transition for ATC."
In September 2009, ATC invited visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan for a luncheon to review relations with the United States. Instead, Erdogan sent his deputy, Ali Babacan, in a 70-minute discussion on U.S.-Turkish defense and energy relations.