The US State Department rejects Turkey’s threats on Cyprus oil

The European Union and now the US State Department have rejected Turkey’s threats on Cyprus oil. Turkey has threatened military action in order to prevent drilling off Cyprus southern cost. These threats were made as a response to the Republic of Cyprus decision to grant drilling rights to foreign operators. Yes, this is the same Turkey that aspires to join the EU club as it actually sees itself as an island of civilization in an ocean of backwardness and deprivation. Funny stuff. Here is what the US State Department had to say:

Question: The Republic of Cyprus has recently announced a partnership to obtain oil and gas exploration licenses in the Mediterranean Sea. What is the United States’ position on Cyprus’ request for bids? Is a US-based company among the bidders? Does the US company need to consult with the U.S. government before submitting its bid?

Answer: The Republic of Cyprus (ROC) has announced the results of bids to obtain oil and gas exploration licenses in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. An American firm is among the bidders. The ROC is a sovereign nation with the right to request bids for oil exploration within its own economic zone. The involvement of U.S. firms in such investment is a business decision.

2007/707

Released on August 21, 2007

SECRET/EYES ONLY

The recent release of official State Department documents on Cyprus has sent the Cypriot media a-buzz with none stop talk of Kissinger’s role in the Invasion. I bet the release of these State Department documents barely made coverage in the US media; but here, the topic of discussion on TV, in the press and at the dinner table is the talk of the United States and its backing of the Turkish Invasion. The video clips below are this weeks MEGA documentary on Kissinger's role in the Cyprus invasion. I may, in the near future, update the videos below to include English subtitles; but before I can do this, I need to first familiarize my self with video editing software.

MEGA Documentary Part One


MEGA Documentary Part Two


MEGA Documentary Part Three

US gave full backing to Turkish invasion of Cyprus

I truly enjoy visiting the States as each trip brings new sights and experiences. If you ever planned a trip to the Southern part of the States, then you are familiar with Southern hospitality and the generally friendly people who love to “small talk.” 

Southerners love to talk, you will always find at least one person (at the mall, the café or even when you are at a table enjoying the Southern cuisine) that comes up to you and offers that cheerful hello.

I recall a brief conversation with one particular lady who wanted to know why there was such a high level of hostility to the US. “The people there don’t like us” she said.

“That’s not true,” I said. “You shouldn’t believe everything you read in the press.”

Who was I kidding? As much as I hate to admit it, there is strong resentment against the US here in Cyprus. 

Where is this resentment born from in the first place?

The resentment stems from the perceived support of the Greek junta and for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Are these perceptions accurate? Well, take a look below at what the press has recently reported and decide for yourselves.

The United States gave full blessing to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, even assuring Turkey that it would "get them a solution involving one third of the island.''

This cynical US involvement is revealed in the latest batch of secret official State Department documents released for publication under the 30-year rule.

The American stand has long been known, but this is the first time that it has been confirmed so completely by an official State Department document.

This is clarified in the very first paragraph of the document which is stamped ``SECRET/EYES ONLY.''

It declares that the only conceivable settlement of the Cyprus problem "will have to rest on a de facto division of the island, whatever the form."

While admitting that the United States ``has the clout'' to prevent the invasion, the document nevertheless advises against doing so "before the fighting stops."

The document is dated August 14, 1974, the exact date of the second massive wave of the Turkish invasion of the island. It is headed: ``Memorandum for the Secretary - Cyprus Actions'' from Helmut Sonnenfeldt, one of the top State Department officials dealing with Greco-Turkish affairs.

The document even includes a map detailing the plan of action of the Turkish invasion force. This is headed ``Map done by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research projecting Turkish moves on Cyprus, August 13, 1974.''

It is worth noting that this plan was the one followed exactly by the Turkish troops, a further proof of the close American involvement in the Turkish invasion planning.

Here is the full text of the document:

THE COUNSELOR 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
WASHINGTON 
August 14, 1974 
SECRET/EYES ONLY 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY 
FROM: Helmut Sonnenfeldt 
SUBJECT: Cyprus Actions

You wanted some brief ideas on what we do next.

Nothing I can think of will stop the Turks now from trying to secure by force what they demanded in their ultimata. In fact, as has always been true, the only conceivable modus vivendi will have to rest on a de facto division of the island, whatever the form.

If the Turks move fast and can then be gotten to stand down, it may pre-empt Greek counteraction and then give us a chance to try for a deal. (It may also save Karamanlis).

While the Soviets can serve as a bogey, we must keep them at arms length. They cannot become the arbiter between US allies. Their interests differ drastically from ours: we want a modus vivendi between Greece and Turkey, they want a non-aligned Cyprus, preferably with Greece or Turkey or both disaffected from NATO.

Thus, we should

urgently try to contain Greek reaction; 24 hours at a time;
bluntly tell the Turks they must stop, today, tomorrow at the latest;
warn the Turks that Greece is rapidly moving leftward;
send high-level US man to Athens to exert continuing direct influence on Karamanlis;
assuming the Turks quickly take Famagusta, privately assure Turks we will get them a solution involving one third of the island, within some kind of federal arrangement;
assure Greeks we will contain Turk demands and allow no additional enclaves, etc.
You should not get involved directly till the fighting stops; then you must since there is no alternative and only we have the clout.

I do not think Brussels/NATO is the place to use when the time comes. The Greeks are probably too sore at NATO and the vehicle of a ministerial meeting is awkward. Anyway, you need Ecevit and Karamanlis.

London may be unacceptable to the Turks because of Callaghan’s blast at them. 
You should not shuttle.”

This may mean Geneva. Washington, at the President’s initiative, would be all right but hard to get the parties to come to. 

Also provocative of the Russians. New York would make it difficult to keep the Russians away.

You could also try Rome.

Cypriot journalist rejects accusations by Turkey

From Toplum Postasi:

Incirli rejects accusations by Turkey

Mr Incirli stated: “I believe they wish me dead, not that they want to kill me, thanks to the EU factor they can’t do that.”

By Alkan Chaglar

Turkish Cypriot journalist Serhat Incirli talks to Toplum Postası about his feelings regarding the recent case brought against him by Turkey and the reasons behind it. Mr Incirli who writes a daily column in Afrika newspaper, formerly known as Avrupa newspaper, was questioned because of an article he wrote in on the 15th and 17th of July 2004 about the Turkish Army and the status quo in Cyprus. Mr Incirli is accused of ‘insulting Turkish national values’.

Asked about what he said that offended the Turkish Armed Forces, Serhat said: “I believe what they (the Turkish government) are demanding in Cyprus is something they would never give to the Kurds in Turkey. But the columns that I wrote are not strictly about the Kurdish problem; it’s about Turkish racism. The Turkish constitution has racist undertones in its wording.”

Referring to the conduct of politicians in both Turkey and Cyprus, Mr Incirli said: “When you look from a European perspective, many politicians in Turkey and Cyprus like Süleyman Demirel, Bülent Ecevit, Rauf Denktaş and Devlet Bahçeli, the semantics of their speech is racist. I’m not saying that this is their intention, but they should be careful not to present that image.”

This is the first time Turkey is opening a case against a Turkish Cypriot, however, Mr Incirli has both Cypriot and British dual nationality. Commenting on the implications of the case against him on Turkish-EU aspirations, Mr Incirli stated: “I believe they wish me dead, not that they want to kill me, thanks to the EU factor, they can’t do that.” Referring to the importance of the EU factor in the improvement of human rights in Turkey, Mr Incirli said: “If they cannot reach EU standards on freedom of speech, nationalists or fascists will do some terrible things in both Turkey and Cyprus.”

Previous posts on Mr. Incirli can be found here and here.