US Might Sell Military Goods to Greece, Pompeo Says

The U.S. is considering selling military goods to Greece as part of the defense cooperation agreement the two sides signed Oct. 4, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Speaking with reporters, Pompeo also said the U.S. plans to pitch U.S. companies on doing business with Greece, warned Greece about doing business with China and did not rule out the possibility of sanctions or other measures against Turkey if it begins offshore drilling near Cyprus.

Pompeo said in one interview that he spoke with Greece about selling them military goods to “upgrade various components” of Greece's “hardware and software.” The two sides “talked about the potential for other equipment that America might sell and that Greece might buy from another democratic nation,” Pompeo said. “There’s lots of opportunities in that respect.”

U.S. wants to help Greece “bounce back,” Pompeo said at t press conference, pointing to U.S. companies such as Pfizer, Cisco and Tesla that are doing business in Greece. “We can make the case for Greece to American businesses,” he said. “Many more U.S. companies will recognize that Greece is adapting its business climate in a very favorable way.”

Pompeo also issued warnings about China, saying the U.S. doesn’t want China to “steal the property of Greek” citizens. “You’re asking to build out your high-tech sector, and if you open it up in the wrong way to China, you’ll do it, you’ll be successful, and then they’ll steal it,” Pompeo said in a speech in Athens.

The U.S. is “working to convince” Turkey that drilling near Cyprus “isn’t in anyone’s best interest,” Pompeo said. Cyprus condemned the Turkish moves in an Oct. 4 statement, saying the drilling operations are illegal because they are within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

“We’ve made clear that illegal drilling is unacceptable. Violating international rules of law is unacceptable,” Pompeo said after being asked whether Greece should “expect something more punitive” from the U.S. against Turkey. "We’ll continue to communicate that -- not only to Turkey. We do this all across the world … and the world -- not just the United States -- needs to hold nations accountable for this.”