Montreux warning from Cem Gürdeniz: It counts as direct interference in our sovereignty.
The remarks made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander in a press briefing sparked controversy, as they were interpreted as an intention by the U.S. to violate the Montreux Convention. Reacting to Wallander's statements, Gürdeniz said, "Interfering with the implementation of Montreux counts as direct interference in our sovereignty."
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U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander made a statement regarding the Montreux Convention during a press conference held the other day, saying, "We can work together with countries bordering the Black Sea, including Turkey, to move away from conflict. Turkey had implemented the relevant article of the Montreux Convention, of which it is the guardian."
Wallander's remarks were interpreted as a desire by the U.S. to terminate or amend the Montreux Convention. Retired Admiral Cem Gürdeniz reacted to Wallander's statements on social media. Stating that "Neocon imperialism knows no bounds," Gürdeniz wrote the following:
"In yesterday's press conference, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Ms. Celeste Wallander requested that Ankara change its implementation of Article 19 of the Montreux Convention, which has been in effect since February 24, 2022, and interpret it in a way that would open the straits to NATO warships, and specifically stated that she wants to work with Turkey on this issue. As a state that is the owner of the Montreux Convention and the Turkish Straits, interfering with the implementation of Montreux counts as direct interference in our sovereignty. Instead of stopping the war in the Black Sea that it caused to start due to NATO expansion, the U.S. wants to prolong it by continuing to provoke Russia. Turkey must never make a mistake on this issue. On the other hand, one must look at where the U.S., as a state in the midst of collapse and chaos, gets the audacity to do this, despite not being a party to the Treaty of Lausanne or the Montreux Convention. In a conjuncture where Sweden's NATO membership was approved in parliament just yesterday with the full participation of the ruling party and the main opposition, the speech of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense should not be considered much of a surprise. Neocon imperialism knows no bounds. It will demand more after every concession Turkey makes."