Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lit]

US and Turkey clash looms over Nato

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/097026a0-e2c9 ... abdc0.html

By Daniel Dombey in Washington, Delphine Strauss in Ankara and James Blitz in London

Published: October 28 2010 20:47 | Last updated: October 28 2010 20:47 The Financial Times

The US and Turkey are trying to stave off a clash at next month’s Nato summit after a year in which Ankara’s traditional ties to the west were strained.

At issue is Turkey’s reluctance to endorse Nato-wide missile defence plans, as well as its objections to language in the alliance’s new guiding “strategic concept”.

[Lit]

Iran suggests new nuclear talks be held in Turkey

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01208.html

The Associated Press
Sunday, November 7, 2010; 5:24 AM

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran is proposing that a new round of talks on its nuclear program with the United States and other world powers be held in Turkey, though no date has been announced.

[Lit]

Iran suggests new nuclear talks be held in Turkey

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01208.html

The Associated Press
Sunday, November 7, 2010; 5:24 AM

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran is proposing that a new round of talks on its nuclear program with the United States and other world powers be held in Turkey, though no date has been announced.

Should Turkey still be part of NATO?

Jonathan Kay November 6, 2010 – 10:30 pm

Fifty-eight years after Turkey joined NATO, it may be time for both sides to reevaluate the relationship. The primary threat to the West now comes from Iran, a country for which Turkey now acts as defender, apologist and — in regards to demonizing Israel — an active ally.


Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/201 ... z14av6L1b1

[Lit]

Should Turkey still be part of NATO?

Jonathan Kay November 6, 2010 – 10:30 pm

Greek Deputy Defense Minister Panagiotis A. Beglitis:

Mr. Beglitis said he does not know what the future holds for Turkey's place within NATO, but he said Greece "share[s] the same concerns with many, many colleagues within the alliance."

"I can tell you I would not be surprised to see a Turkey outside of the Western institutions and playing an autonomous strategic role in the whole region."

Turkish officials declined to comment on Mr. Beglitis' statements.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... s-to-iran/

[Lit]

Iran invites Turkey into space programme-report

Reuters: Iran has invited Turkey to cooperate in work on the Islamic Republic's space programme, which aims to put a man in space by 2017, the Turkish newspaper Haberturk said on Saturday.

http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?o ... &Itemid=26

[Lit]

Secretary Clinton: No Role for Turkey, Brazil in Nuke Talks with Iran

http://www.670kboi.com/rssItem.asp?feed ... d=29596550

Sec. Clinton & EU High Rep. Catherine Ashton: Photo Courtesy - U.S. State Department


(WASHINGTON) -- Secretary Clinton on Wednesday ruled out any other country’s involvement in talks between Iran and the P5+1 -- comprised of the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Russia and China -- even as Iran proposes to hold the next round of negotiations in Turkey, a country that, along with Brazil, tried to strike a nuke deal with Tehran earlier this year.

“It is a P-5 plus one meeting with the Iranians,” Clinton told reporters. “At this moment, the offer of discussions with the Iranians is in that forum, and that is the appropriate venue for any discussion on any issue to occur.”

The proposal to hold talks in Turkey can be seen as a shrewd diplomatic dismissal by Tehran, as Ankara and Brasilia have been more sympathetic towards Tehran’s efforts.

[Lit]

Secretary Clinton: No Role for Turkey, Brazil in Nuke Talks with Iran

No role and still no US ambassador for Turkey. :- (

[Lit]

Iran-Turkey ties lauded as "outstanding"

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/150629.html

Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:35PM

A senior Turkish lawmaker has praised ties with Iran, saying the Islamic Republic plays a significant role in establishing peace and security in the region.


Visiting Chairman of Turkey's parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Murad Marjan, emphasized the significance of enhancing bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic in a Tehran meeting with Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi on Thursday, IRNA reported.

Marjan also reiterated the importance of establishing regional peace and stability, noting that "as a rising regional power, the Islamic Republic of Iran plays a significant role in creating peace and security in the region."

The Turkish official further turned the spotlight on Ankara's enhanced cooperation with Iran on multiple fronts, including trade and commerce.

For his part, the Iranian vice president also hailed bilateral ties with Turkey, expressing satisfaction that the two country's relations are currently at their highest level.

Rahimi expressed optimism that ties between Ankara and Tehran would continue to develop and turned into an "outstanding" model of bilateral relations for the entire region and across the world.

"Efforts to further strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries could play a constructive role in bolstering bilateral political and commercial ties," Rahimi noted.

The Iranian official also stated that the two sided should make the most of their capacities to implement plans for an estimated $30 billion trade exchanges between Ankara and Tehran.

The Turkish parliamentarian said his government would do whatever it takes to execute plans towards realizing the aim of achieving the $30 billion bilateral trade volume.

HA/MB

[Lit]

EU official rejects Turkey as venue for Iran talks
By Glenn Kessler

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkp ... ey_as.html

The European Union's foreign policy chief has accepted Iran's proposal to meet Dec. 5 but has rejected Istanbul as a venue, according to a copy of the letter seen by The Washington Post.

The exchange is the latest in a lengthy debate over when and where to hold talks between Iran and six nations eager to negotiate restraints on Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran earlier this week proposed holding the talks on Nov. 23 or Dec. 5 in Turkey, but that would have meant that Turkish officials would host the event and presumably join in. The countries now involved in the long-stalled talks -- the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany -- are wary of adding another to the mix at this point.

[Get Real!]

...but has rejected Istanbul as a venue,

Well there go Turkey’s aspirations of becoming the East-West “mediator”!