US condemns Turkey’s redeployment of survey ship Oruc Reis to eastern Mediterranean


Jamie Prentis
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The US has deplored Turkey's redeployment of a research vessel to the eastern Mediterranean and accused it of intimidation.

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the move would damage efforts to resolve Turkey's maritime dispute with Greece.

"Turkey’s announcement unilaterally raises tensions in the region and deliberately complicates the resumption of crucial exploratory talks between our Nato allies Greece and Turkey," she said.

"Coercion, threats, intimidation, and military activity will not resolve tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. We urge Turkey to end this calculated provocation and immediately begin exploratory talks with Greece. Unilateral actions cannot build trust and will not produce enduring solutions."

In August, Turkey sent a survey ship and naval escort into contested waters, alarming both Cyprus and Greece, which in turn began military drills. On Monday, Turkey announced the seismic research ship Oruc Reis would return to the eastern Mediterranean despite warnings of EU sanctions.

Ankara has rejected criticism of its exploratory activities and said it was operating on the Turkish continental shelf.

Germany also urged Turkey to end “provocative acts” in the region and said the redeployment of the ship was a major setback to efforts to ease tensions with Greece and Cyprus.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, speaking before a visit to Greece and Cyprus, said Turkey must show an interest in diplomatic talks over disputed maritime boundaries.

"If there should be renewed Turkish gas exploration in the more controversial sea areas in the eastern Mediterranean, this would be a serious setback for efforts to de-escalate," Mr Maas said.

"Ankara must end the cycle of detente and provocation if the government is interested in talks.”

He said Germany backed Greece and Cyprus in the dispute and called on Turkey to ensure dialogue with Athens was not hampered by unilateral measures.

Mr Maas dropped a visit to Ankara from his itinerary because of the situation.

"My decision only to travel to Nicosia and Athens today is owing to the current developments that we have been talking about," he said.

Talks on resolving the situation will take place at an EU summit this week.

Greece said Turkey’s move on Monday was illegal and accused Ankara of stoking tensions in the wider region.

It also said it would not hold talks with Turkey until the ship is withdrawn.

Greece "will not sit at the table for exploratory talks while the Oruc Reis and escorting warships are out there", Minister of State George Gerapetritis told Parapolitika radio.

Ankara and Athens this month agreed to set up a system to prevent military conflict, including a hotline to avoid accidents in the sea and air.

The two governments also signalled their intention to resume exploratory talks aimed at building confidence and resolving disputes last held in 2016.

Country-size land deals

US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:

Louisiana Purchase

If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.

Florida Purchase Treaty

The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty. 

Alaska purchase

America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of  Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".

The Philippines

At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million. 

US Virgin Islands

It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.

Gwadar

The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees. 

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Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

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Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
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Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Where to buy

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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