Tensions high in Mediterranean over oil field

LIMASSOL, Cyprus — Warnings and threats backed by gunboat diplomacy have electrified the eastern Mediterranean region, where news of a possible major oil and natural gas field has created visions of unexpected wealth.

At stake are prospects for a major revenue source capable of transforming the economies of a large area centered on the divided island of Cyprus. Initial estimates from preliminary surveys indicate the possibility of $4 billion worth of oil below the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, in antiquity the center of the world as it was known to Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Defying Turkey’s claims to a share of the suspected treasure, the Greek Cypriot government has solicited tenders for exploration, and an estimated 40 international firms have shown interest. They include companies from the United States, France, Russia, China, Britain, India and Brazil.

A sudden appearance of Turkish warships south of this Cypriot port reminded all concerned of the pitfalls lying ahead, similar to those that stymied efforts to explore for oil in parts of the Aegean Sea between Turkey’s Anatolian landmass and the Dodecanese islands of Greece.

Diplomats worry that the escalating exchange between Turkey’s capital, Ankara, and its Hellenic antagonists may further dampen faltering efforts to end the ethnic split on Cyprus.

Turkey’s tensions rise

Already, diplomatic sparring has provoked a rash of bellicose headlines in Cyprus and Greece, presaging an increase of tension with Turkey, which has some 30,000 troops in the north of Cyprus.

Turkey and the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus demanded recognition of their rights in the area known as “Eratosthenes” earmarked for exploration south of Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot government, which controls 63 percent of Cyprus, protested to the United Nations secretary-general and the president of the Security Council against Turkish claims.

The presence of Turkish warships near the shores of Cyprus “constitutes not only a dangerous provocation and a threat to the regional peace and stability, but also an unconcealed and irresponsible violation of fundamental principles of international law,” the Cypriot statement said.

“The republic of Cyprus does not represent the whole of the island,” said the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. “Therefore laws on the issue enacted by the Greek Cypriot government or agreements made with other interested parties have no validity for us.” The statement referred to a preliminary agreement on exploration rights signed by Cyprus with Lebanon and Egypt, without mentioning the island’s Turkish Cypriot community.

Naval exercise held

“Turkey is determined to protect its rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean and will not allow attempts to erode them,” the Turkish statement added.

Immediately after publication of the document, three Turkish warships taking part in the naval exercise “Mediterranean Shield” approached the limits of Cypriot territorial waters.

Ankara declared that the ships had no “specific mission” in the area, which was swept by war jitters. In a carefully crafted statement to Turkish television, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, chief of Turkish General Staff, said the ships were on a routine patrol and “there was no need to send new warships to the area.”

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