Cyprus migh have oil and it smells like trouble is cooking...

[Alana]

Cyprus invites offshore oil exploration

By Philippos Stylianou

CYPRUS takes another important step forward in exploiting its possible undersea oil and gas deposits with the simultaneous publication today in the Official Gazette of the Republic and the EU Official Journal of the invitation to oil companies to submit applications for offshore licensing agreements.

Competent Commerce and Industry Minister Antonis Michaelides yesterday briefed the foreign ambassadors on the development at an open session in Nicosia, asking them to pass the information on to interested parties in their respective countries.

All embassies attended the briefing session at the Hilton Hotel, most of them by the ambassadors themselves and some through other representatives.

The first round of Cyprus offshore licensing starts on 15 February with an opening ceremony again at the Hilton, in which technical data as well as the legal and fiscal terms will be presented. The bidding for 11 offshore blocks of this round will close on 16 July.

During yesterday’s event it was officially announced that some of the major energy players, namely BP, EXON, MOBIL and India had already purchased the offshore data package prepared for Cyprus by PGS, a Norwegian company, and recently presented in London.

The Chinese ambassador Zho Yali told journalists that a large company in his country specializing in the extraction of oil had also shown great interest and bought all the seismic data concerning Cyprus.

Encouraging

Speaking to the press after the briefing, the Commerce Minister said that all indications up to now from the seismological investigation were quite encouraging about the existence of offshore fuel deposits in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.

"Of course, what interests the government and the people of Cyprus most of all is whether there are any fuel deposits and in what quantities, and I think we’ll know about this in the space of two years," Michaelides said responding to questions.

The Ministry’s Energy Director Solon Kasinis, who made a presentation of the PGS data, pointed out to the diplomatic gathering that Shell had as recently as this week carried out new drills in a successful area in Egypt’s exclusive economic zone quite close to that of Cyprus.

He also indicated that certain other seismic data were strongly suggestive of upward pressure in the seabed of Cyprus, according to the analysis made by French energy consultancy firm Beicip-Franlab.

More here

And though it seems possible, but we'll know in 2 years for sure, the invaders started talking of creating tension if we don't give them some:

Sovereign rights

At the close of yesterday’s briefing, the Minister of Commerce and Industry invited questions from the participants. One of the diplomats asked the Minister to comment on Turkey’s strong reactions, as he said, to the signing of the Lebanon-Cyprus delimitation agreement. Antonis Michaelides gave the following reply:

"I wish to remind anybody who have objections that Cyprus is a sovereign state, and EU and UN member and I think we are acting well within our sovereign rights. We accept nobody to challenge our rights."

and from another source:

‘All sides need to tone down the rhetoric’
By Elias Hazou

THE REPUBLIC of Cyprus has every right to exploit any and all resources that rightfully belong to it, and is not obliged to share these with anyone else, a defiant Foreign Minister George Lillikas said yesterday.

His remarks came in the wake of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s claim this week to a share in possible oil and gas deposits off the island’s coast.

In an interview with the trilingual weekly newspaper Dialogue, Talat said Turkish Cypriots and Turkey had “rights over Cyprus� and no deals could go ahead without their consent.

He also said he had protested in writing to both Egypt and Lebanon, which have signed agreements with Cyprus delineating the exclusive economic zones where exploration will take place.
“We will not give up what is rightfully ours,� said Talat, adding that if Egypt and Lebanon decided to enforce the agreements “they must know that this will raise tensions� .

He went on to suggest that the reason Greek Cypriots rejected the 2004 reunification plan was precisely because they did not want to share the subsequent oil profits.
[add: being a Cypriot who rejected the Annan plan, and being aware of the reasons most did, i assure you that this is a statement to create certain impressions]

Although not explicitly making the threats himself, the Turkish Cypriot leader was drawing on statements made in the past by former commerce minister Rolandis, who had warned that failure to take the north on board could be a reason for war.

However, sources said that late on Friday night Talat’s office sought to play down the threat aspect of the interview. It was also suggested that the meaning rendered in the English translation might have been somewhat more intense than in the original Turkish text.

Nevertheless, in an apparent dig at Rolandis, the Foreign Minister said yesterday that some on the Greek Cypriot side were inadvertently giving ammunition to Turkish interests.

“Unfortunately, some people in Cyprus, through their positions, beyond giving arguments to Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot leadership, are essentially, deliberately or inadvertently, placing the sovereignty of the state in question.�

Lillikas went on to describe Rolandis’ warnings as “danger-mongering.�

Later in the day, Rolandis released a statement in response:
“Seven years ago, Mr Lillikas and his party were deriding me when I was promoting the petroleum issue, while their newspaper Haravghi was publishing mocking pictures of myself in a sheikh’s attire. Now, they have chosen to remember oil and sovereignty?�

Speaking to the Mail, Rolandis, said there was still time to let Turkish Cypriots in on what could be a multi-billion pound oil deal in the south-eastern Mediterranean.

“I don’t know where he [Talat] is coming from, but in any case it would be a good idea to include the Turkish Cypriots in this,� Rolandis told the Mail yesterday.

The former commerce minister has argued that, even in the absence of a political settlement, economic cooperation could encourage rapprochement between the two communities.

“All Cypriots, Greek and Turkish, should share in our country’s wealth.� noted Rolandis.

Asked what, in his opinion, were the chances of tensions flaring, Rolandis cited history. In 1980, when Rolandis was foreign minister under the Spyros Kyprianou administration, an executive of a public relations firm the government had appointed in the United States advised that “in case we went along with drilling for oil, Ankara might consider further military action.�

And more recently, Rolandis noted, it was the fear of war that stopped oil activities by Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea (although in the case of the Aegean, there is no third country in the area which may pump its oil reserves).

Meanwhile the government repeated yesterday that it was the absolute sovereign right of Cyprus to exploit and resources on land or in the sea within its territory.

“Mr Talat’s comments cannot be taken seriously, and are not,� government spokesman Christodoulos Pashardis told the Mail.

Even the opposition, which maintains a conciliatory stance toward Talat, called the Turkish Cypriot leaders’ comments regrettable.

But DISY’s No.2 Averoff Neofytou yesterday added that all sides should tone down their rhetoric.

“Whoever is really interested in the good of the country should refrain from making public comments on the matter. And by that I mean everyone,� Neofytou told the Mail.

More here

And while our party representatives and ministers are arguing with each other, Talat is calling for US help To Take Action For Lifting Blockade On Northern Cyprus (this is from a news side of the occupied cyprus)

“I believe that the United States which takes steps to lessen the unhumanitarian restrictions on Turkish Cypriots, will also lead the efforts to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots… I ask the international society to listen to our call for justice,� said Talat.

Again, bear in mind that Talat is not a president of the Turkish republic of northen cyprus, because that is not a country, is the territory taken by force after the Turkish army invaded cyprus! Justice takes a lot of meanings lately!

But the US government, who speaks Talat's language apparently, heard the plea and will respond by sending a congressman! (from same source)

US Congressman Whitfield to fly direct to Northern Cyprus

A Kentucky congressman will lead a delegation to northern Cyprus next week in an effort to show support for the Turkish-Cypriot population on the divided island and improve U.S. ties with Turkey.

Rep. Ed Whitfield, a Republican who is co-chairman of the Turkey Caucus, will fly directly into Northern Cyprus with two other representatives to visit with Turkish-Cypriot leaders.

[add: this implies a recognition of the pseudo republic!]

The trip is a step toward ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots and marks the first time U.S. congressmen have flown directly into Northern Cyprus since the 1980s, said Thomas Weston, a U.S. ambassador who was the special coordinator for Cyprus until August.

The trip will start and end in Turkey, where the delegation is scheduled to meet with government and military officials.

“Improved relations with Turkey will strengthen U.S. foreign policy goals throughout the world,� Whitfield said, calling Turkey a “critical ally.�


The tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea has been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots make up nearly 80 percent of the population and live in the southern two-thirds of the island. Turkey, the only country that recognizes the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,� stations 36,000 troops there, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Last year, Turkish-Cypriot voters accepted a settlement plan sanctioned by the United Nations. But Greek Cypriots soundly rejected the proposal, which had garnered international support.

Since then, Weston said, international organizations decided that “measures should be taken to promote the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots and to end their isolation.�

“I think responding to that call on the part of the congressman is a very important step in showing support,� Weston said.

But Peter Papanicolaou, president of the Cyprus Federation of America, a New York-based umbrella organization that represents Cypriot-Americans, called the trip “a very huge step backward.�

Flying directly into northern Cyprus violates Cypriot law, he said, adding Whitfield’s group should arrive in the southern part of the island and meet with the Cypriot government before traveling north.

Weston said flying directly into northern Cyprus is not illegal “in the view of the United States or anyone else.�

Nick Larigakis, executive director of the American Hellenic Institute, a public policy organization in Washington, said the trip would hurt reunification efforts.

“It really spits in the eye of the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus,� he said.

Whitfield has been interested in Turkey since military officials at Fort Campbell extolled Turkey’s importance as an ally, said Jeff Miles, a spokesman for the congressman.

 

[Alana]

Additional thoughts:

Watching the course of things globally (how the psychopathic elite is determined to have everyone fight with each other so they can conquer all) and how things are "boiling" on this little island (whose political situation has been fragile since the mid 60s, with war looming near on several occasions since the 1974 invasion), plus this oil business now (and the need of the countries to be in possession of as much earth resources as possible due to global warming/ice age possibilities), i can't but think of a possible "attack" on the whole island from Turkey, the way i see things.

1. the US is preparing to attack Iran. though they already are surrounding Iran from east and west (Afghanistan and Iraq respectively) Turkey is a big country with borders with Iran on the NW, who will do it's bit to help the US when asked, as long as they get a "little present" too.

2. Turkey does not have good relations with neighboring Arab countries due to history, on the other site is Greece (speaking of good relations... ) and the other neighbor is Russia and how friends can they be if Turkey is best buddies (after Britain and Israel of course) with the US? It is more probable that Turkey will not enter the EU (several reasons, some of which i oppose because they are racist in nature, but also because the EU is going through a lot currently with its expansion, and will definitely pause it for a long while) and that leaves Turkey, where? A bully does not take no for answer easily. Will it invade Cyprus just to show power? Countries that were once empires, always has the expansionist bug in them it seems. But i might be all wrong. "Time" will tell.

Just some thoughts, possibly a little paranoid ones too

 

[PopHistorian]

FWIW, I don't personally think Turkey would attempt an invasion of Cyprus unless the major powers were engaged more heavily by something else. Yes, the US is tied up, but Russian and Chinese militaries are not. If and when all the major powers are engaging a significant number of their troops somewhere, then this would open the floodgates to possibilities of serious violence breaking out in many more arenas, or so I think. In anything, really, larger issues allow smaller ones to go under-addressed.

 

[Alana]

Hi AdPop,

in July/August 1974 the US was occupied with the Watergate scandal when the Cyprus invasion occurred. Why did not Russia or China or anyone interfere? Now we might have oil though.

Update on events that are getting "hotter". From a Greek news site:

Ankara rapped over Cyprus

The government yesterday chided Turkey for interfering with Cypriot plans for oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean and accused Ankara of fueling tensions and violating international laws.

“(Turkey’s reaction) is not productive... and in total contradiction with international law and the right of a sovereign government to negotiate international agreements,� Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said. “Ankara’s stance is being assessed and the appropriate action will be taken through diplomatic channels,� Koumoutsakos said, without elaborating.

Meanwhile Nicosia said it would protest to the United Nations and the European Union over Turkish warnings to Lebanon and Egypt not to press ahead with exploration deals signed with Cyprus and condemned Ankara for its “provocative behavior.�

“We consider Turkey’s threats to be the unjustified and groundless reactions of an incorrigible regional troublemaker,� Cypriot government spokesman Christodoulos Pasiardis said. “Nothing has changed,� Pasiardis added. “We are proceeding exactly as we planned, exercising, as an independent and sovereign state, our legal, inalienable rights that are safeguarded by international law.�

In the meantime, there were indications that Turkey’s threats may have had the desired impact as Lebanon assured Ankara that it was “committed to its excellent relations with Turkey� despite its exploration agreement with Cyprus. Hisham Dimashkieh, a senior official at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry “clarified that Lebanon stands at an equal distance from all friendly countries out of keenness to preserve the rights of all parties,� according to a ministry statement published in local media.

[add: keep that one in mind, and think what are the rights of Turkey regarding Cyprus' oil exploration deals? Also, is Lebanon with this showing that they recognize the occupied territories of Cyprus as a legal state? More further]

There were no reports yesterday of any response to Ankara’s warnings from the Egyptian government.

Cyprus signed agreements with Egypt in 2005, and Lebanon in early January delineating the sea boundaries between them. Previous studies have suggested the seas around Cyprus could contain reserves of between 6 and 8 billion barrels of crude with an estimated value of $400 billion.

Is Turkey bullying other countries in order to mess with the deals? US and Britain are "backing" us though, so nothing to worry about .... NOT!

And a Cypriot news site wrote:

Agreement gets US and UK backing
THE U.S. and Britain yesterday backed the right of Cyprus to make international agreements with other countries but said the oil and gas row highlighted the need to move forward with a Cyprus solution.

[add: with their backing of the Annan plan (really backing there, and financing the campaign to support it) we know what their ideal solution is: for Cyprus to remain divided but under the cloak of a Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot government, yet most of the refugees won't get to go back to their houses. Plus the British bases to remain in Cyprus ad infinitum!]

A statement made by the British High Commission to state television said it would be regrettable if the search for oil were to deepen the divide between the two communities on the island.

“We hope an early solution to the Cyprus problem will allow all Cypriots to benefit from Cyprus’ mineral wealth and the UK supports all efforts to that end,� the High Commission said.

“In the meantime the legal personality of the Republic of Cyprus and its rights under international law are not in doubt� .

The US embassy in Nicosia said there existed the sovereign government of the Republic of Cyprus and there existed an entire island that has acceded to the EU with the acquis suspended in the north.

“It’s important that whatever sort of development occurs in the offshore area on the continental shelf be done in a way that enhances prospects for reunification rather than creating greater animosity between the two sides,� said the statement.

“This dispute demonstrates once again why it is important for the Cyprus to be resolved as soon as possible.� [add: probably editor's mistake, it should have said "the Cyprus problem to be resolved", but it seems that the editor really got the gist of the statement]

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007

So we might have oil, we decide to explore the issue, sign up deals with neighbouring countries, Turkey creates a fuss about its "rights" and US with UK believe that the "solution" should be undressed imminently before the communities become more divided on the oil issue. Is this the picture or am i just biased?

The Turkish NTV, which i was unable to read myself, is all in turkish, announced today (according to Cyprus press, could not find an english article), that there were Turkish army ships today in Eastern Mediterranean close to the shores of Cyprus. The foreign minister of Turkey, Levent Bilmant, reported that this was not true and it was reported to NTV by a journalist who said he saw them himself. The head of the Turkish army, Yasar Buyukanit, said that there are already army ships in the Aegean and Mediterranean sea, there's no need to send there more.

Oh, found it: No increased naval activity in the Aegean or the Med: Turkish Commander

Turkey has spoken out strongly against an agreement between Lebanon and the Greek Cypriot administration to explore for oil and gas in the waters between the two countries.

Güncelleme: 18:04 TSİ 01 Şubat 2007 Perşembe

ANKARA - The Chief of the Turkish Chief of General Staff on Thursday denied that Turkey�s naval forces had stepped up activities off the coast of the island of Cyprus.

Responding to media claims that Turkey had deployed additional warships to the area to demonstrate its opposition to Greek Cypriot plans to jointly explore for oil and gas with Lebanon in the waters between the two countries, General Yasar Buyukanit said there was no need for Turkey to send further vessels to the area.

“We have ships patrolling the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean,� he said. “We are acting jointly with Foreign Ministry. Thus, we don’t need to send new ships there.

That's good news! (sarcasm)