ANKARA (Marmara)–Turkish Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu has issued a decree calling on all Turkish commanders to suspend military relations with France. The decree also requires the cancellation of all scheduled plans and procedures with the French armed forces for the coming year.
Ankara has taken action against the French recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the form of economic boycotts. Now it has resorted to damaging military ties between the two countries. The Turkish army–navy–and air force must comply with General Kivrikoglu’s decree by canceling all cooperation with France. This includes the cancellation of all visits and meetings between Turkish and French military officials scheduled for 2001.
The decree will allow the reversal of this decision upon the display of friendly actions by France.