US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit Greece and Israel on February 21, according to diplomatic sources.
According to Hellas Journal, the visit of the head of American diplomacy is considered extremely important as he is expected to take part in the strategic dialogue between Greece and the United States.
Besides, it is not excluded that there will be a quadripartite meeting with the participation of Greece, the USA, Cyprus and Israel, with the participation of Blinken.
Reactions from the Greek-American lobby
At the same time, the Greek-American lobby appears visibly disturbed, in the wake of the Wall Street Journal's report that the Biden administration is preparing to request congressional approval for the sale of new F-16 fighter jets to Turkey worth $20 billion.
The reaction of the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, Eddie Zemenidis, was characteristic, who posted a caustic comment on Twitter, writing characteristically:
"Guess that President Blinken may be satisfied with being foreign policy’s version of Patty Hearst. No matter - #NoJetsForTurkey campaign will go to entirely new level," Mr. Zemenidis wrote on twitter, referring to his recent text on ekathimerini titled: "Washington's Stockholm syndrome."
Expected, but still preposterous.
Can’t wait to hear @StateDeptSpox explain how this is consistent with CAATSA and the sanctions @SecPompeo imposed.
Or how @SecBlinken thinks that it is in 🇺🇸 interests to have F-16s used to create flashpoints WITHIN @NATO. https://t.co/secsz9N4Kr
— Endy Zemenides (@Zemenides) January 13, 2023
At the same time, Zemenidis also retweeted a post by the Armenian National Committee in the USA (ANCA), which said:
"President Biden's reckless proposal to sell F-16s to Turkey would arm an openly hostile state with advanced US weapons that will - without doubt - be deployed by Ankara against American interests, American allies, and eventually American forces."
#NoJetsForTurkey | President Biden's reckless proposal to sell F-16s to Turkey would arm an openly hostile state with advanced US weapons that will - without doubt - be deployed by Ankara against American interests, American allies, and eventually American forces. pic.twitter.com/QztZSkBAnQ
— ANCA (@ANCA_DC) January 13, 2023
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