US and Turkey meet at White House

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a news conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday n Washington. - Photo by Evan Vucci of The Associated Press
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a news conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday n Washington. - Photo by Evan Vucci of The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump says he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are "very good friends," but their meeting Wednesday at the White House failed to resolve an issue that has badly strained relations between the two NATO allies.

Trump and Erdogan concluded a visit without achieving an agreement on Turkey's decision earlier this year to accept delivery of a Russian air defense system that poses such a threat to NATO security that the U.S. suspended Turkish participation in the multinational F-35 fighter jet program.

The Turkish president told reporters he might be persuaded to use the U.S.-made Patriot system "as well" as the Russian S-400. Trump said they would agree to keep working on the issue.

The dispute over the competing air defense systems is a major component of the tension between the two countries. Turkey has also come under fire on Capitol Hill for its incursion into Syria last month to attack the Kurdish forces who fought with the U.S. against the Islamic State. And Turkey has been criticized for repression of political opponents, journalists and others.

Turkey, meanwhile, is angered at the U.S. for supporting the Kurdish forces it views as a threat and for refusing to extradite a Muslim cleric it accuses of fomenting a 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan.

Despite the differences, Trump said he believes the two sides can substantially increase trade, which amounted to about $24 billion in 2017.

Erdogan used the meeting as a chance to defend his military offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, some of whom have links to the separatists who have waged a violent campaign in Turkey for decades.

"We're just fighting terrorists, period," he said. "If you don't fight back, you will have to pay a very hefty price."

His words failed to placate members of Congress and others who accuse Turkish-backed forces of killing Kurdish civilians and causing a humanitarian crisis in the incursion, which prompted the U.S. last month to hurriedly evacuate a small number of American troops from near the Syria-Turkey border.

"There has been a callous disregard for civilian lives, including attacks on residential areas," said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress didn't think Trump should meet with Erdogan at all.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said it was "mindboggling" and "appalling" for Trump to roll out a red carpet for Erdogan after the invasion of Syria.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said lawmakers have significant concerns about both the S-400 and the attack on the Kurds, who "have risked a lot to stand with America" and battle the Islamic State.

National on 11/14/2019

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