American Hellenic Institute is demanding that President Obama recall the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, accusing the envoy of making “unacceptable, disappointing and damaging” remarks that “undermine the administration’s position on Cyprus.”

Remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, James Jeffrey, Call into Question U.S. Policy on Cyprus and North Cyprus AHI Calls on President Obama to Recall U.S. Ambassador to Turkey

In a three- part interview with Turkey’s Sabah newspaper, dated February 3, 4, and 5, 2010, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey answered a large array of questions regarding Turkey’s role in the region today and overall U.S.- Turkish relations.

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.

As a result, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) calls on President Barack Obama to immediately recall Ambassador James Jeffrey.  AHI views the ambassador’s remarks as unacceptable, disappointing and damaging to U.S. interests.

Ambassador Jeffrey: Turkey  “doesn’t invade neighbors…It has security concerns in Cyprus.” AHI cites the following excerpts of the interview as reasons to recall Ambassador Jeffrey.

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

In Ambassador Jeffrey’s response, he says in part:

“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 neighbors.  It has security concerns in Cyprus and in Northern Iraq.

greekReporter