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While world attention has been focused on a Turkish-Israeli military showdown over aid flotillas to Gaza, a possibly even more dangerous dispute is unfolding between Turkey and Israel-allied Cyprus. Tensions between the two countries are at their highest level in years, as the Greek Cypriot government in the divided island’s southern half went ahead with plans to have Texas-based Noble Energy start offshore exploration for natural gas in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
As Noble moved its drilling rig last Thursday from Israeli waters, where it had also been exploring for natural gas, to Cyprus’ 800,000-acre Aphrodite field, located off its south-eastern coast, Turkish warships and aircraft shadowed the transfer. The Turks, however, stayed outside of Cyprus’ territorial waters and airspace and did not interfere with the American company’s operation.
Noble received an exploration license for the Aphrodite field from the Greek Cypriot regime, and test drilling was expected to start on Monday. The Aphrodite field borders Israeli waters where “massive gas fields” were discovered.
Turkey strongly opposes the Greek Cypriot exploration plan, ostensibly because it does not include, and therefore will not benefit, Turkish northern Cyprus. It has called on the Greek Cypriots to halt all exploration.

Read More: http://frontpagemag.com/2011/09/21/showdown-in-cyprus/