The Washington Institute for Near East Policy said that the
government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan was endangering U.S.
interests in the eastern Mediterranean. The report, authored by analyst
Simon Henderson, said Washington has been encouraging such regional states
as Israel and the Republic of Cyprus to explore and develop crude oil and
natural gas resources in the sea.
"Ankara cannot be permitted to enjoy the benefits of a strong
relationship with Washington while undermining U.S. objectives in the
eastern Mediterranean," the report, titled "Turkey's Threat to Israel's New
Gas Riches," said.
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A U.S. company, Noble Energy, has been the prime contractor of Israeli
and Cypriot gas exploration projects in the eastern Mediterranean. But
Ankara has threatened both countries, saying it does not recognize their
sovereignty over the exploration areas. The United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea allows each country the right to exploit resources up to
200 nautical miles from its coast.
"Ankara's anger with Cyprus will likely grow after July 2012, when the
island holds the EU presidency for six months," the report said.
Comments
The U.S. should immediately halt its support of Turkey's genocidal attacks on the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq. Israel should match the Turkish anti-Israel activities with corresponding support for the Kurds, such as humanitarian aid, UN motions, and yes, military support. And the U.S. should shake off its blinders and do the same.
Syd Chaden
1:54 p.m. / Thursday, September 22, 2011
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