Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Turkey's President Turns up Heat on Cyprus, Stoking Fears of Clash

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ratcheted up
   tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, declaring he will do whatever is
   necessary to protect Turkey's interests over energy exploration rights
   in Cypriot waters.

   "We will not tolerate any action which overlooks the rights and
   interests of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean,"
   Erdogan said late Wednesday.

   The Mediterranean island has been divided into Northern Cyprus,
   recognized only by Turkey, and Cyprus since 1974, following a Turkish
   military intervention sparked by an Athens-inspired coup.

   An internationally recognized government led by Greek Cypriots runs
   Cyprus and has declared an exclusive economic zone around the island to
   search for hydrocarbons.

   Ankara contests the Greek Cypriots' sole rights to search for energy
   and has sent exploration ships to Cyprus.

.