The Washington Times Publishes AHI’s Letter to the Editor on Turkey’s Latest Incursion on CyprusWASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Times published the American Hellenic Institute’s letter to editor, “Turkey’s Cyprus incursion nothing new,” January 20, 2015 and in its print version, January 21, 2015. AHI President Nick Larigakis wrote the letter in response to a January 11, 2015 “Newsmaker Interview” by Guy Taylor titled, “Cypriot union threatened by dispute over oil and gas rights.” Larigakis calls the interview with Turkish Cypriot negotiator Mr. Ergun Olgun a public relations ploy to avert attention away from Turkey’s latest violation of international law—its “gunboat diplomacy” in the eastern Mediterranean and incursion into Cyprus’ Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). Larigakis sets the record straight on Cyprus’ sovereign rights, especially with regard to exploring for energy resources within its EE, and on the position of the Cypriot government with regard to potential sharing of revenue from energy finds. Larigakis concludes, “Turkey’s choice to obstruct settlement talks and escalate tensions with “gunboat diplomacy” is regrettable. Turkey’s incursion into Cyprus’ EEZ is the latest in a long line of international law violations against Cyprus…. Mr. Olgun’s claim that the Cypriot government ‘has jeopardized’ the peace process because it seeks its sovereign right to develop its potential energy resources is simply ridiculous.”
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. # # # For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org and follow us on Twitter @TheAHIinDC. January 16, 2015 The Editor Dear Editor, Guy Taylor’s “Newsmaker Interview” with Turkish Cypriot negotiator Mr. Ergun Olgun (“Cypriot union threatened by dispute over oil and gas rights,” Jan. 11) is a public relations ploy by Turkey to lure the public away from Turkey’s latest violation of international law—its “gunboat diplomacy” in the eastern Mediterranean and incursion into Cyprus’ Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). To be clear, the Republic of Cyprus is the only internationally-recognized sovereign government established in 1960. Its President is Nicos Anastasiades. The republic has the sovereign right under international law to explore and exploit its natural resources within its EEZ. The United States has repeatedly stated it supports Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore energy in its offshore areas. Cypriot government officials, such as Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, have stated the island’s natural resources belong to all its people and that once a settlement is reached, potential revenues would be shared. Turkey’s choice to obstruct settlement talks and escalate tensions with “gunboat diplomacy” is regrettable. Turkey’s incursion into Cyprus’ EEZ is the latest in a long line of international law violations against Cyprus. Turkey illegally invaded Cyprus in 1974 and continues to occupy the EU nation today with more than 43,000 illegal troops and more than 180,000 illegal settlers. Mr. Olgun’s claim that the Cypriot government “has jeopardized” the peace process because it seeks its sovereign right to develop its potential energy resources is simply ridiculous.
Sincerely, Nick Larigakis |
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The Washington Times Publishes AHI’s Letter to the Editor on Turkey’s Latest Incursion on Cyprus
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