Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

I had to laugh when I read that the Turkish Foreign Minister accuses Israel of breaking International law.

How many times has Turkey broken International law...I've lost count.

Omer you have to be realistic in these matters. Israel has broken most, but hers are legalised by the USA. Turkey does not have such protection. It's not her fault.

I agree the US unblinded support to Israel is the only indifference. But Turkey bombs Kurds everyday. They arrest and probably torture Kurdish children for throwing stones and imprison them for years. When I watch Turkish tv footage of the way people surround police tanks in Diyarbakir which they pelt with stones I sometimes mistake it for the occupied territories of the West bank.

I agree with you, It is no different. The Kurds are oppressed and occupied.

What is more remarkable is the PKK's targeting of officers rather than soldiers in their fight and also trying to limit fighting so that the populations do not start attacking each other like what happened in Cyprus in 63.

[Get Real!]

So are you saying that Australian Federal Law applies in International Waters?
If so, how far? All the way to South African Territorial Waters, for example?

Only the section that separates them with New Zealand. Sheep shagging is taken very seriously in Australia and they have a zero tolerance to the importation of this Kiwi pastime/sport.

[Khadijah]

Shame the topic degenerated to such a level guys^

[Khadijah]

Can you imagine an army who had to do this; http://www.mako.co.il/news-military/sec ... =978777604

[denizaksulu]

No doubt the Israeli's ( and before them the colonial powers)have treated the Palestinians badly and always over react in a similar manner to any perceived or genuine threat to there nation.

BUT

A certain amount of hypocrisy going on here....

Lets examine the Israel question and actions from a comparison with the GC situation.

The area or present Israel was historically occupied by the Jewish people
They were invaded, occupied and scattered around the world a number of times by assorted empires,great powers and peoples.
They eventually regained there independance by removing British control.
They are surrounded by non democratic or hostile nations with a different belief system.
They have enclaves of the country's former owners\rulers\inhabitants prior to them reclaining there homeland who are somewhat pissed off.

Any of this sound familiar

So now you ( hypothetically)replace the relatively benign TC govt with a hardline, self admitted islamic jihad\terrorist one who shoots rockets into Nicosia etc on a regular basis and encourages suicide bombings throughout Cyprus.

Are you seriously telling me that the Greek cypriots would not impose a similar embargo and enforce it in the same manner without giving a shit about the "international community" ????

NO. it certainly does not sound familiar!!! Think about it and come again!!

[Paphitis]

How did these "innocent activists" expect the IDF to respond, when they greeted soldiers with knives and clubs? Ships of fools. Cyprus has agreed to no longer permit their launch from the island.

Israel is not the only one.

The Royal Australian Navy, and Australian Customs also board vessels in International Waters. In fact there is a policy to intercept vessels before the enter territorial waters.

All that is needed is mere suspicion of illegalities such as people, drug or arms smuggling or even mere suspicion of illegal fishing within the EEZ.

If international law is being violated, then there is the ICJ.



Why where the IDF boarding these ships in international waters?

nothing to boast about here for the ozzie navy Paphiti. Israel boarded Turkish and Greek flag vessels and murdered 10 of its crew in international waters.

The captain of the Greek vessel was on the radio asking Greek Navy whether he should surrender this vessel under Greek flag to the Israelis and the Greek naval commander told him to stay put. A Greek cruiser sped to the area but by the time it arrived the Israelis had taken the ship and its crew to Israeli shores.

Greece just withdrew from millitary exercises with Israel, Turkey is preparing a bigger reflex jerk.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending the Israelis. The loss of life is tragic.

It all boils down to this. The vessels were intercepted and boarded by armed IDF who probably were going to instruct that they should turn back. Did any of the crew pull out a weapon or behave in a manner which was threatenning?

Over here DT, boats are intercepted and boraded daily in the Aussie EEZ. The boarding parties are fully armed with live rounds. Most vessels are boarded in International Waters. All that is required is suspicion of intent on breaking Australian Federal Laws, and if evidence is found on board to prove that there is intent, the vessels are aprehended and the crew are charged. If the boarding party is attacked, then there is potential for loss of life, because the RAN boarding party is prepared to defend itself. The Steyrs are not there for decoration. And yes, there have been instances where live rounds have been fired.

Now, if International Law has been violated, then there are grounds for action within the ICJ. But I doubt whether this will change Australian Federal Law.

"Most vessels are boarded in International Waters. All that is required is suspicion of intent on breaking Australian Federal Laws,...."

So are you saying that Australian Federal Law applies in International Waters?
If so, how far? All the way to South African Territorial Waters, for example?

In matters of security in particular, yes!

Usually, vessels are boarded in the EEZ. About 200 nms. But vessels have even been intercepted even further, and far closer to South Africa and Antarctica in fact. The Russian Pantagonian Tooth Fish Fleet has been intercepted near Heard Island which is closer to South Africa than Australia. Australia claims an an EEZ there as well.

[SKI-preo]

From what I understand the crew and activists pulled guns on the Israelis. This was a stupid move. Having said that the loss of life is tragic even if it is the life of a moron.

[denizaksulu]

From what I understand the crew and activists pulled guns on the Israelis. This was a stupid move. Having said that the loss of life is tragic even if it is the life of a moron.

If what you say is true, do they have the right to defend themselves against an armed attack?

[Nikitas]

So far the Israeli authorities have not said a thing about guns.

[SpartanGamer]

So are you saying that Australian Federal Law applies in International Waters?
If so, how far? All the way to South African Territorial Waters, for example?

Only the section that separates them with New Zealand. Sheep shagging is taken very seriously in Australia and they have a zero tolerance to the importation of this Kiwi pastime/sport.

It seems the Welsh do have something in common with Australia!