Erdogan Halts Trade with Israel, Threatens to Attack Cyprus

Now just to you... beware of the source... it's Israel National News... a very right wing Israeli newspaper. They like to do propaganda... and at this time, it's good business to fear monger about Turkey.

But it is true that Cyprus and Turkey never had a good relation...

Erdogan Halts Trade with Israel, Threatens to Attack Cyprus

The threat to attack Cyprus, reported by Globes, concerns “Block 12,” where the American-based Noble Energy firm plans to explore for gas. It is located north of the Israeli oil and gas field Leviathan, which Hizbullah has warned belongs to Lebanon.

Last week, Turkey’s Minister to the European Union, Ag'mn Bag'is, said the drilling, planned to begin October 1, "is precisely the reason our warships are in the area. That is why we built our army and trained our soldiers. It is illegal to explore waters that do not belong to them."

So we even have a ``date``... October 1.

We should monitor the situation closely... but my guess is that the threat to attack Cyprus is total bunk. And it's not like Greece, Cyprus main ally can afford to fight...

Another source...but a old one.
Turkey threatens 'necessary response' if Cyprus goes ahead with exploratory gas drilling

Turkey on Friday threatened to show the "necessary response" to any move by Cyprus to start exploratory drilling for offshore gas deposits.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Cyprus had no right to go ahead with efforts to search for gas before a settlement to reunify the divided island will be reached.

And the Cyprus ``issue`` won't be fixed for a while...

But Israel is putting themselves in between them...
Greece, Israel sign cooperation agreement

Greek Defense Minister Panos Beglitis met with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak in Jerusalem and signed a cooperation pact in the security sector between the two countries, defense officials said on Monday.

To add to this there's about 100 000 Russians living in Cyprus. Let me tell you Turkey attacking Cyprus would sure piss off Russia...
Press reports in 2011 state now over 100,000 people of Russian origin living in Cyprus.

Not only that, the Brits have two military bases on Cyprus.
British Forces Cyprus

British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the UK sovereign base areas of Dhekelia and Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus. The United Kingdom retains a military presence on the island in order to keep a strategic location at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, for use as a staging point for forces sent to locations in the Middle East and Asia. BFC is a tri-service command, with all three services based on the island reporting to it. At present, there are approximately 3,500 personnel serving in Cyprus.

Seems to me October 1 there will be either a bluff called or a military confrontation. I doubt Turkey would attack Cyprus... worst case scenario, they sink a few ships.

reply to post by Vitchilo


First, Turkey threatens Israel and now Greek Cyprus? Who's taking any serious notice of Erdogan? Who really even cares what comes out of the mouth of Erdogan? Just because Israel ruffled his feathers.....what an idiot!

probably trying to work up some way of getting EU admittance and a cut of the gas rights

reply to post by Vitchilo


I thought the deal between Israel and Greece occured just after Turkey downgraded diplomatic status with Israel and announced plans to not only protect the floatill wiht Turkish warships, but to also visit gaza.

As far as the oil / gas fields, they need to chekc with the UN on that. Territorial waters extend from 10-12 miles out. An EEZ (exclusive economic zone) extends out 200 miles from shore. Since the Med is rather small, you will have over lapping claims.

As far as Cyprus goes, nothing new there. Thats been going on for sometime to no conclusion.

It is just another example of how two of the smallest nations in the eastern med , yet again failed to understand the changes in world .

It's such a real shame really whats going on between Israel and Turkey. I genuinely really like the Turkish people and I have'nt met one yet I don't like.

Erodogan is a smart man and as stubborn as Netanyahu is....both are right wing conservatives. Erodogan has every right to stick up for the loss and treatment of his countrymen aboard the Flotilla at the hands of the Israelis but Israel has every right to protect her borders including the Israeli coastal waters just as Turkey would of his.

In time this will all blow over and a new era will begin between the two nations but if Erodogan goes too far he will pay a price....it's called a Turkish Revolution, and relations between Turkey and the White House will wane.

Originally posted by bluemirage5

It's such a real shame really whats going on between Israel and Turkey.

Totally agree on this point .


I genuinely really like the Turkish people and I have'nt met one yet I don't like.

Partially agree on this point . I have met lots of Turks I didn't like . I also met far more Turks that I liked .

Erodogan is a smart man and as stubborn as Netanyahu is....both are right wing conservatives. Erodogan has every right to stick up for the loss and treatment of his countrymen aboard the Flotilla at the hands of the Israelis but Israel has every right to protect her borders including the Israeli coastal waters just as Turkey would of his.

Israel can't get any benefit from making an enemy of Turks . Also , Gaza is really not Israel . Turks accepts the right of Israel to exist just like and other nation .



In time this will all blow over and a new era will begin between the two nations but if Erodogan goes too far he will pay a price....it's called a Turkish Revolution, and relations between Turkey and the White House will wane.

edit on 8-9-2011 by bluemirage5 because: (no reason given)

USA is going to stay an ally to Turks .
If not , Russians , Muslims and Chinese are in line to take USA's place gladly .
Israel is not going to be able to provide the USA with what it needs in the new Middle East , Central Asia & Africa .
Turkey can do that .

Given the influence of Israeli lobby in USA ; it is in their interest to get rid of the coalition government in Israel and are using Turkey to do it . Turks are just a proxy in scenario .

Not sure what to make of all this.

I generally think this is Erdogan flexing his new found military muscle. The government recently jailed many of the military brass and many more resigned in frustration. This was mainly due to the secular military having differing agendas than the muslim government. With the resistant brass out of the way, the military is much more compliant to government orders.

I cannot imagine in a million years Turkey, a NATO ally, attacking Cyprus. As said earlier, it houses British bases and uprwards of a million Russians. Allies and neigbours alike will be incensed, and most likey pushed into action.

Originally posted by bluemirage5
It's such a real shame really whats going on between Israel and Turkey. I genuinely really like the Turkish people and I have'nt met one yet I don't like.

I think we should be careful attributing the actions of the Turkish government to the population of Turkey. Not everyone was happy when this government was put in place, and we can see this with revocation of some laws / protections to military personnel.

Turkey has had a number of military coups in the past, difference being though they immediately held elections to form a new civilian government. That language was removed, as well as protections for the military officals who woyld be involved.

The current Turk government has actually gone through and arrested a number of senior / flag level officers. In this area Turkey reminds me of Iran - attempting to act bigger than they actually are.

reply to post by Xcathdra


You're quite right; like Obama, I strongly doubt Erdogan would win another election but I do see a Turkish revolution on the horizon within 2 years.

reply to post by 23432


Your post is all wrong on all counts.

The USA have plenty of allies within the vacinity of Turkey.

This is just Erdogan having his usual spat and is not to be taken seriously.

Your comment on Israel's coalition Govt.......your comment is a load of nonsense.

Now....with Turkey threatening Greek Cyprus.....there was an alleged attack on their naval base just recently.....I hope Turkey was'nt involved in that!

reply to post by Vitchilo


I don't know how reliable that news is, but the idea of Turkey attacking Cyprus is terribly stupid.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 and falls under the European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy.

To attack Cyprus would be to attack the entire European Union.

I don't know who would actually respond though. It could even help tear the EU apart over a reponse to Cyprus. It could also get Turkey kicked out of NATO.

Originally posted by bluemirage5
reply to post by Vitchilo

 

First, Turkey threatens Israel and now Greek Cyprus? Who's taking any serious notice of Erdogan? Who really even cares what comes out of the mouth of Erdogan? Just because Israel ruffled his feathers.....what an idiot!

Seems like their balls grew after the agreement with the U.S. to install the ballistic missile shield.Seems kinda U.S. sponsored?

reply to post by Daedal

There have been no decisions on the US ABM system.

What we have now is more mobile than what was previsouly suggested. We have the ability to use US Naval warships in an ABM capacity, negating the need for a permanent land based one.

Turkey is attempting to become a regional power player and nothin more. They are attempting to pick up where Egypt left off.

Latest :

Cyprus: Exploratory drilling for gas to begin soon

U.S. firm Noble Energy will soon begin exploratory drilling to confirm oil and gas deposits beneath the sea bed off Cyprus' southern coast despite Turkey's attempts to prevent such a move, the island's president said on Tuesday.

Dimitris Christofias didn't specify a date for the start of drilling which officials have said will begin early next month.

We'll see... Bluff or war?

reply to post by Vitchilo


It depends on the arrogance level of the Turkish Prime Minister, who is attempting to lay claims to parts of the ocean they dont have legitimate claims to, unless they are going to do what China does and consider the EEZ as an extension of national territory, which it is not.

Cypress is a member of the EU, and has filed complaints with the UN as well as the EU (albeit the southern part of the island because of that issue with the coup back in the day and the Turkish invasion of the island. Coincidentally, the Northen, Turkish, half is NOT part of the EU.

Ironic....

In addition to Cypress, Israel and if im not mistaken Lebanon all have legitimate claims. Ironic that Turkey, who does NOT have any claims, is interfering.

If Turkey deploys their military in an effort to thwart foreign nations from UN mandates / EEZ resources - They are the aggressor.
If Turkey escorts the floatilla and violates the blockade - they are the aggressor.


It doesnt matter who fires the first shot. Its going to come down to a violation of national sovereignty. Sending military vessels into any of those situations, where Turkey has NO valid / legal reason for being there, IS the agression. Ironic since some of the people supporting turkey condemn Israel for the same thing.

The (not so) funny thing is,Turkey doesn´t seem to care anymore about the EU Membership it wanted...though thats understandable,with the EU collapsing right now...come to think of it,didn´t all this Anti-Israel (and i use this Term loosely) start just recently?

Seems like even Turkey knows that Europe (and the US probably too soon after) is finished,and is now waiting for it to descend into Chaos to start something big...and i think other Middle Eastern Nations think the same.

Well Turkey is run by idiots if they still want to be part of the EU after all the proofs that it's a total scam and a total failure.

Anyway we'll see soon what happens. Me thinks we'll see a military coup way before an actual war happens.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Me thinks we'll see a military coup way before an actual war happens.

My thoughts have gone to this as well... However, with the recent changes in how those laws work, and the arrest and removal of Generals who are known for taking that action, im not sure where the loyalty of the new command staff lies?

The Constitution or the Leadership....