Cyprus Conflict

[Colwyn]

We seem to be entering a new period of hightened tension in the Eastern Med. Turkish/Israeli relations are today possibly worse than they have ever been since the founding of Israel. And now a new conflict between Turkey and Greek Cyprus may be brewing. Troubled waters ahead?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14968737

[tel]

Can never understand how the Greeks came out smelling of roses with their input to matters as the Turkish response was their legal right.

[ovacik2]

The value of the TL could take a hit. !! ??

[starman™]

Never mind the value of the TL. What about the other consequences?
Turkey sends warships to escort Gaza type flotillas, skirmishes start between Israeli and Turkish gunboats, wave of nationalism hits Turkey (remember Kardak 1995), Turkey already being pushed by some Israeli polticians to be entered on the terrorist supporting states list etc etc

[Colwyn]

As a reaction to the increasingly aggressive Turkish position, the  Greek Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos warned Turkey a few days ago that "any attack against Cyprus will be regarded as an attack against Greece."

Middle East and Balkans News

http://middleeastinfo.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/israel-and-cyprus-go-ahead-with-oil-exploration-despite-turkey-s-protests/

[starman™]

and Turkey will freeze talks with the EU whilst Cyprus holds the presidency.
Sounds so much like a fight middle school children do.

[Ovacikpeedoff]

The Turkish invasion in 1974 and the subsequent establishment of the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus have been deemed by the UN to be illegal. The only country to recognise Northern Cyprus is Turkey. The impact of the invasion was the forced repatriation of over 120,000 Greek Cypriots to the south of the island. What people forget is that when the invasion took place some 82% of the population of the Turkish occupied area were Greek Cypriots. The Turkish government has been found guilty of numerous breaches of the Human Rights Act including the forced expulsion of Greek Cypriots and the occupation of their lands by Turkish citizens.The Greek Cypriots are not as innocent as they make themselves out to be as they massacred some 300 Turkish Cypriots prior to the invasion.

Although the Turks and the Greeks take primary blame for the situation in Cyprus, Britain and the Americans have also played a major part in the problem. The Americans secretly supported the Turkish invasion.

Turkey will never gain EU membership until the Cyprus situation is resolved. The current tensions are economic rather than nationalistic. It is the supposed deposits of natural gas around the island is the driving force now.Although t holding of the presidency of the EU by Cyprus has not helped.

Some might say that the current actions of the Turkish government towards EU membership and Isreal is the AK party moving closer to fundemental muslim states.

In a way the sabre rattling of the Greek government is similar to that of Argentina and the Falklands, generate a bit of nationalism helps take the mind off the deep economic problems Greece has.

[maximumtom]

As yet , the PM is all talk for internal consumption amongst the AKP faithful. He would be a very unwise leader to start actions on so many fronts at the same time - Israel, Cyprus, Greece, PKK, Armenia, Syria. He is also stalling the US on the missile shield and he hasn't a good word about the EU - the guy is rapidly running out of friends ( with any clout). He has also put many of his generals in prison to keep the journalists company, so is lacking a little in military commanders at the moment. Of course, he might believe his own rhetoric and try to do the impossible just to save face.

[tel]

Interesting replies and lets hope the situation doesn't escalate. Surely Turkey only said they would do likewise and explore the sea rather than threaten to attack. I must read again LOL. As for the Turkish invasion of 1974 I was under the impression That Britain,Greece and Turkey agreed that if either Greece or Turkey tried to upset the balance (eg the Greek alleged coup etc) then the other would have the right to restore the balance by force.

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Right to restore the balance but not to annex half the island.