WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- The United States indicated Wednesday that strategic concerns might have delayed an expected transfer of U.S. arms from Germany to Greece.
Four years ago, Germany sought Washington's permission to transfer some of the weapons it received from the United States to Greece. The United States has not yet decided whether to allow this transfer.
"In reviewing these requests, we seek to balance the legitimate arms sales that support the national security of our friends with the need for restraint against transfer of arms that might prove problematic," said State Department's deputy spokesman Adam Ereli when asked to comment on this situation at a briefing in Washington.
He said there's no predetermined timetable for such transfers.
Although Greece is a close U.S. ally and a NATO member, observers cite Turkish objections for the delay in the transfer.
Like Greece, Turkey is also a close U.S. ally and a member of NATO.
