Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Hurriyet Daily News

Friday, November 14, 2008 01:48

Turkey-Obama ties hurt by four obstacles

ANKARA - Turkey fears issues about Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Armenian genocide allegations will cause rifts between the new U.S. administration and the Turkish government. Despite recent progress in many of these areas, Obama and Biden’s links to certain interest groups could endanger an already rocky relationship

Despite the high expectations voiced about the new leaders of the United States, Obama and Biden’s foreign policy could present additional problems to Turkish diplomacy, according to an analysis undertaken by Turkish diplomats.

"There are four major issues where we could face serious disagreement with the new administration; Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan and the so-called Armenian genocide claims," a senior Turkish foreign ministry official told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Cyprus problem
It is certain the new administration will continue to back ongoing talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots to reach a comprehensive settlement. Biden’s strong ties with the Greek lobby in Washington is seen as a matter of concern. Some Turkish experts believe that as the platform for the solution has already shifted from the United Nations to the European Union, Washington’s impact on the process will be limited.

However, Turkish officials point out it was only recently that Turkey’s views on Cyprus have gained legitimacy and weight in Washington, during the Bush era. "Therefore, we have to re-start efforts to arrive at the same level with the newcomers," officials said.

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/dome ... sp?gid=244

[Get Real!]

Some may recall that prior to Bush Turkey never made any incursions into Iraq and was always at odds with the US for not being “allowed/able” to go after the Kurds. This of course became a non-issue once Bush Jr came to power because as we all know the madman’s warmongering had pretty much given a green light for everyone to attack!

If Obama goes back to the more reserved, calculating, and law-abiding stance that the US had pre-Bush then that would definitely be a problem for Turkey with regards to the PKK issue.

When it comes to Cyprus though, the problem has predominantly fallen into the hands of the EU so I doubt Obama will have as much an impact as in the Kurdish issue.

[paliometoxo]

thats great news its time for america to be on our side not the turks

[Oracle]

I find this report interesting because of an admission which confirms what we have been concluding in the background on this forum:

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=19590

.... especially in the wake of the recent meetings at the:

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20103

.... that finally Turkish experts are confessing:

Some Turkish experts believe that as the platform for the solution has already shifted from the United Nations to the European Union, Washington’s impact on the process will be limited.

The stalemate towards a Cyprus solution was due to the UN being sabotaged by Turks and Bush (and especially the Annan plot).

We are finally on the right path in further forging our EU connections, and it is the cherry on the cake, to have an Obama, that is (hopefully) strong enough to resist the Turkish tampering with his tactics.

[observer]

thats great news its time for america to be on our side not the turks

Making it a doubly odd time for RoC to open an embassy in Cuba.

[Oracle]

thats great news its time for america to be on our side not the turks

Making it a doubly odd time for RoC to open an embassy in Cuba.

Yup! .... Obama loves Cuba

Obama pledges Cuba policy change

Mr Obama made the remarks at a fundraising luncheon in Miami
Democrat Barack Obama has said he will seek direct diplomacy with the communist government in Cuba if he is elected US president.

The frontrunner for his party's nomination for the presidency was speaking to Cuban exiles in Florida.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7418131.stm

[observer]

Probably forced into it by RoC's bold step.

[paliometoxo]

well the eu dont want turkey either...