Pompeo confident US, Turkey will resolve S-400 row

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday he is &quot;very confident&quot; the U.S. and Turkey &quot;will find a path forward&quot; amid an ongoing row about Ankara’s determination to procure an advanced Russian air defense system. </p> <p>&quot;There’s great opportunities for the United States and Turkey to work closer together,&quot; Pompeo told reporters at the closing of a gathering of NATO foreign ministers marking the alliance's 70th anniversary. </p> <p>Pompeo said his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday was positive, voicing hope bilateral tensions will be resolved.</p> <p>Turkey's purchase of the Russian surface-to-air S-400 system has led to significantly strained ties with Washington, which earlier this week suspended delivery of parts and services necessary to Turkey's receipt of the F-35 stealth fighter jet.</p> <p>U.S. officials have suggested Turkey buy the U.S. Patriot missile system rather than the Russian S-400 system, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems and exposes the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge, including covert efforts to obtain critical information on the jet, which could then be relayed to Russia.</p> <p>In response to the U.S. concerns, Cavusoglu said Wednesday the system would be for Turkey's use.</p> <p>&quot;It doesn’t have to be integrated into the NATO system, and this is not our aim. It is for our own use,&quot; he said. &quot;This system will not see any NATO system, including F-35s, as an enemy.”</p> <p>The Pentagon said Wednesday it transferred the third of Turkey's F-35 jets to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, with a fourth to be delivered Friday. </p> <p>Turkish pilots are currently training on the advanced fifth-generation fighter jet at the base, and the Pentagon said their training will continue despite the suspension of parts and services announced on Monday. </p> <p>Turkey joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program in 2002 and has invested more than $1.25 billion. It also manufactures various aircraft parts for all F-35 variants and customers.