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Turkey-Greece Energy Dispute Heats Up

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Tensions between Turkey and Greece are escalating as both
   sidesvowto defend their territorial rights.

   The increasingly acrimonious dispute centerson a scramble for energy
   inthe contestedwaters of the Eastern Mediterranean.Athens and Ankaraare
   both backing their wordswithdisplays ofnaval force,andfears of a
   confrontation are growing.

   On Monday, the GreekKathimerininewspaper published what it described as
   Greek defense"deterrent scenarios" against Turkey. The scenarios
   include using force if Ankaragoesahead with planned drilling near the
   Greek Island of Crete.

   Ankara says the drilling is part of a deal struck last year with
   Libya's internationally recognized Government of National
   Accord.'¯Under the Libyan agreement, Turkey can search for energy in a
   large swathe of the Eastern Mediterranean. But Athens insists the deal
   violates the territorial waters of some of its Greek Islands.

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