Turkish warships will reportedly take any step including opening fire to stop Cyprus’ exploration for oil and natural gas

Under the title “Fleet is the second step”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (16.09.11) reports that the Republic of Cyprus seems very determined in launching explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea, while Turkey seems very determined to prevent this from happening. According to the paper, the first step taken by Turkey to stop these explorations is the agreement with the breakaway regime to delimit their “continental shelf”.

Citing information obtained by a reliable source, Kibris writes that Ankara will deploy its fleet in the area, in case the Republic of Cyprus officially launches drilling for oil and natural gas. If the drilling does not stop with the moves of the Turkish warships around Cyprus’ 12th parcel named “Aphrodite”, it is said that the Turkish warships will take any kind of steps “including intervention with gunfire”.

Asked what will happen if Israel interferes in the situation, the same source argued that the scenario prepared by the Greek Cypriot side is in this direction and alleged: “They want to drag the actors in the Middle East into the Cyprus problem and this is a dangerous game”. The “official” expressed the view that President Christofias “is playing with fire” and that the negotiations process aiming at achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem will be “blown up”.

Meanwhile, Kibris reports that commenting on the agreement reached yesterday between Turkey and the breakaway regime to delimit their “continental shelf”, the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs issued a statement arguing that this was an indication of their determination to protect the “equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people over the natural resources on the island and its surrounding area”.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (16.09.11) describes as “crucial step by Ankara” the agreement achieved yesterday at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and refers to the developments under the title “Setting forth final opinion for natural gas in scathing terms”.

Under the title “Alarm”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (16.09.11) reports that the drilling in the Mediterranean will start next week. According to the paper, Turkey “is not carrying too far” the threat that its fleet will be deployed in the Mediterranean, but the Greek Cypriot National Guard, as it describes the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus, is ready for conflict.

Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis (16.09.11) refers to the developments under the title “Continental shelf: the answer to the Greek Cypriots”.

Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (16.09.11) wonders whether Israel will risk a “close contact with Turkey”.