USA Turkish Times - Ankara uneasy with US ambassador's statements

Ankara uneasy with US ambassador's statements

Turkey is concerned about a recent statement covered in the Greek press reporting that U.S. Ambassador to Greek Cyprus Ronald Schilcher said that it is the sovereign right of Greek Cypriots to make agreements on oil and petroleum exploration. Turkey will make a diplomatic move to the United States if the news reported by the Greek press is true, Turkish diplomatic sources told the Turkish Daily News yesterday. The same sources said Turkey's clarification would include these views: "Turkish Cyprus also has rights and authority over the maritime areas around the Island of Cyprus. Moreover, the Greek Cypriots do not represent the Island as a whole. Consequently, neither the legislation adopted nor the bilateral agreements concluded by the Greek Cypriot authorities have any effect. In addition, it must also be kept in mind that Turkey has legitimate and legal rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Parts of the maritime areas that are subject of bilateral agreements intended to be concluded by the Greek Cypriot authorities also concern Turkey's stated rights and interests."

In January, Lebanon and Greek Cyprus signed an agreement for oil and gas exploration off the eastern Mediterranean. A similar agreement was signed between Greek Cyprus and Egypt four years ago. Turkey warned Lebanon and Egypt not to press ahead with an oil and gas exploration deal with Greek Cyprus, saying Turkey and Turkish Cypriots also had rights in the region.

“The countries, which have suspicions about Greek Cyprus' right to sign deals on oil exploration, should pursue legal and peaceful procedures,” Schilcher was quoted as saying by a Greek Cypriot radio station. Turkish sources also underlined the need to solve the Cyprus problem in line with peaceful means and international law, quoting the words of Schilcher.

What we would urge is that the parties refrain from any actions that might be misinterpreted by the other side; that there be full transparency so you don't have any misunderstandings that might result in mishaps.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean McCormack on Feb. 1. said: “What needs to happen is that the parties should get back to the root causes of the dispute. And the pathway, we believe, to that is open via the United Nations. U.N. Undersecretary General Ibrahim Gambari has made some proposals in this regard and we would urge the parties to look at those seriously.” Ankara prefers to adopt McCormack's words rather than Schilcher's.

DUYGU GÜVENÇ
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

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