Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lordo]

Curious to see Merkel taking an uncharacteristically strong line with Erdoğan while in Ankara the day before yesterday and even taking the unprecedented move of meeting the leader of the opposition, Kılıçdaroğlu. Does this signal a cooling by the West towards Erdoğan, or the opening of a breach between the US and Europe?

Of course, with Trump playing the islamophobic card for all it is worth for the benefit of the bigots within his support base, he is unlikely to make any displays of warmth towards Erdoğan for the time being.

tim trump does not know his arse from his elbow and well suited to erdogan. they speak the same language. they talk about defeating terror and terrorise the populations they control. i am afraid we are in for a very rough period for the next 10 years. i gather the no camp in terggy is gaining strength but there is nothing to say this will be a fair vote. he will just as easily switch boxes with his votes like he did last time. It seems we need a new mustafa kemal and i am sure somebody will come along sooner or later to take him about with all his hodjas.

[Tim Drayton]

i gather the no camp in terggy is gaining strength but there is nothing to say this will be a fair vote.

That's the way it's looking and fingers crossed. If the West really wants to be shot of the lunatic, and I am not convinced it does, all it needs to do is send in vast numbers of observers to make sure that the vote isn't rigged - or how about letting a proper campaign take place like telling the Turkish authorities that the police should not prevent 'no' campaigners from even handing out leaflets in the street. The same applied to the 1 November repeat general elections when there were massive numbers of reports of irregularities.

[Tim Drayton]

A poll shows 23% of AKP supporters and 69% of MHP supporters supporting 'no' which is good indeed. There is still a long time, though, and Erdoğan holds the strings in his hand.

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turk ... landi.html

[Kikapu]

Erdoğan called Trump shortly after his victory, and they were reported to have had warm discussions.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-e ... SKBN1343I8

Tim, it's not like you to misread my post. I said since Trump became president almost two weeks ago. The article you have posted by reuters is from November 9th, 2016 right after the elections when Trump became President elect.

By all indications, Trump is ignoring Erdogan as the USA is now giving heavy arms to PYD & YPG in Syria, which is not to Erdogan's liking. It's coming to bite Erdogan in the ass with his accusations of the USA being friends with so called terrorist organizations (PYD & YPG) which the USA differs on how they see these groups.

I'm sure Erdogan has tried calling Trump in the last two weeks, but he is either getting the busy signal, or the recording saying, "please leave your name and number and we will get back to you as soon as possible"! (if that's you Erdogan, don't hold your breath waiting for it)

Trump-Erdoğan phone talk expected soon

Another key aspect is the fact that Trump and Erdoğan has still not yet held a phone conversation, although two weeks have passed since the former was sworn in. Diplomatic sources say the first contact between the two presidents is expected to take place soon, either over the weekend or early next week.

Trump has so far held a number of phone talks with leaders across the world including Russia, France, Germany, Egypt, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, etc. He has welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May and (briefly) King Abdullah of Jordan in Washington. Meanwhile, Mexican President Enrique Peria Nieto cancelled his trip to Washington after a spat with Trump, who also cut short his phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull amid a row on a refugee deal.

Given this picture, the first contact between Trump and Erdoğan will be very important in shaping the future of ties under the new administration, particularly on issues concerning Syria, the Middle East and the fight against ISIL.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/trumps ... sCatID=429

[Paphitis]

If Trump takes a hardline on Turkey and continues with the program of upgrading the Kurds status then he could well be the perfect President!

Early days, but if the current trend continues, I will build a Trump statue and it's going to be big!

[Kikapu]

If Trump takes a hardline on Turkey and continues with the program of upgrading the Kurds status then he could well be the perfect President!

Early days, but if the current trend continues, I will build a Trump statue and it's going to be big!

Well, Trump appears to piss off Erdogan big time by using the phrase "Radical Islamic Terrorist" and now giving heavy arms to PYD & YPG. There's something cooking regarding future of Turkey as we know it, and I don't think Erdogan likes the smell of it. Time will tell. This may help resolve the Cyprus problem also.

[GreekIslandGirl]

If Trump takes a hardline on Turkey and continues with the program of upgrading the Kurds status then he could well be the perfect President!

Early days, but if the current trend continues, I will build a Trump statue and it's going to be big!

Well, Trump appears to piss off Erdogan big time by using the phrase "Radical Islamic Terrorist" and now giving heavy arms to PYD & YPG. There's something cooking regarding future of Turkey as we know it, and I don't think Erdogan likes the smell of it. Time will tell. This may help resolve the Cyprus problem also.

Hi Kikapu

How do you square Trump's (apparent) stance with that of Teresa May's who has gone and effectively rearmed Turkey to fight the Kurds?

[Paphitis]

If Trump takes a hardline on Turkey and continues with the program of upgrading the Kurds status then he could well be the perfect President!

Early days, but if the current trend continues, I will build a Trump statue and it's going to be big!

Well, Trump appears to piss off Erdogan big time by using the phrase "Radical Islamic Terrorist" and now giving heavy arms to PYD & YPG. There's something cooking regarding future of Turkey as we know it, and I don't think Erdogan likes the smell of it. Time will tell. This may help resolve the Cyprus problem also.

Power to Trumps elbow. Bless him!

[Paphitis]

If Trump takes a hardline on Turkey and continues with the program of upgrading the Kurds status then he could well be the perfect President!

Early days, but if the current trend continues, I will build a Trump statue and it's going to be big!

Well, Trump appears to piss off Erdogan big time by using the phrase "Radical Islamic Terrorist" and now giving heavy arms to PYD & YPG. There's something cooking regarding future of Turkey as we know it, and I don't think Erdogan likes the smell of it. Time will tell. This may help resolve the Cyprus problem also.

Hi Kikapu

How do you square Trump's (apparent) stance with that of Teresa May's who has gone and effectively rearmed Turkey to fight the Kurds?

If the American policy is to upgrade the Status of the Kurds, then there is nothing Turkey can do to fight it without pissing the Americans off. With Trump as the new Sheriff in town, it will be difficult for Turkey.

Which probably explains their new friendship with Russia. Turkey may be protesting against the Coalition and using the Russians to alter the Status Quo by accepting Assad as long as they can somehow fight the Kurds.

May just wants the money because she want a seamless transition for the economy as it BREXITs.

[repulsewarrior]

Erdogan is waiting for a "no-fly" zone, a safe haven he controls. What with his relationship with Putin, what with Trump wanting allies to pull their weight monetarily, he is hoping for a "deal" that will put this, and their friendship, together.

...it is the worst thing to happen, i think, these three as amigos; a "solution" by brutality of force (and occupation).

...on the other hand, Trump does not fall into the trap. Erdogan, no matter how long it takes will have to make nice, with the rest of the world where he is at this moment the "but one".