France to build up military base in Cyprus

by Upstate NY Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 09:56:45 AM EST

The only news I found on this comes from the Moonies.

Apparently, Cyprus is very willing to give France a military berth on the island. From the French perspective, this will allow France to become a bigger player in the Middle East--if it so wishes (and of course we're not at all certain about the French will in the Middle East at this point). From the Cypriot perspective, this will mark the entry of the first non-Brit, Turk, Greek, military berth on the island in centuries.

The key question of course: how big will the air base be? How big a military force will be stationed there, and to what end?

This development may have the potential of making France a major player in the region, and of complicating Cyprus-Turkey relations by a huge factor. A permanent military berth there makes France an informal party to discussions about the Cyprus problem.

France to build up military base in Cyprus | 18 comments (18 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

Hmm, it makes me wonder just what the French are thinking about....

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia

by whataboutbob on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 10:19:21 AM EST

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 1)

Cyprus is in the EU now, and the UK is useless for an EU foreign policy.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 10:23:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

Right now I'm thinking about a nice, cool, glass of orange juice, but all I have is a lousy glass of warm diet coke.

But more seriously I have no idea what this would be for, albeit to avoid having to ask for landing/flyover permissions. Ultimately it must have something to do with oil.

by Alex in Toulouse on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 10:25:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

Uh, yea, the French government, that is...

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia

by whataboutbob on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:06:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

I can't help myself since my return from Poland, I just want to tease people. I can't control it.

by Alex in Toulouse on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:07:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

Well, the flight from France is longer. Plus, a helicopter ride from France to the Middle East may not be workable ;^)

This is simply a short flight. And, you don't run the risk of having someone take a run at your ship with explosives.

by Upstate NY on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:11:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

Can anyone find confirmation that this is for real? All I can find on Google News is this article from the Turkish daily Hürriyet, which is not exactly authoritative.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:20:29 AM EST

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

France in military talks with Cyprus

However the deal could be marred by Turkey if Ankara decides to raise objections. Turkey has repeatedly blocked or tried to block any military involvement by Cyprus in international organisations but France is unlikely to bow to Turkish pressure on the issue.

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)

by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:34:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

It is believed that the use of the Paphos air base in Cyprus is the most critical part of the agreement for France. "What Cyprus has to offer is infrastructure in the vicinity of war zones," said the source.
Cyprus and France are also close allies and while the invitation to the French to come to an agreement on the use of the air base, it is believed France also wants to deepen its military ties with the island as part of its strategy to develop a strong European military network.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:47:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

..........as part of its strategy to develop a strong European military network.

France is forcing the EU towards a stronger military network? Arrgh...building a new empire....

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)

by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 02:43:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 1)

France is getting ready for the EU to ditch NATO.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 03:05:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (4.00 / 3)

I suspect this is just logistics related to the Lebanon crisis.

French warships have been cruising off the coasts of Lebanon since the beginning of the conflict last month. The French government has chartered ferry ships and air flights to evacuate civilians from Lebanon (under warship protection); all of these stop in Cyprus first. That's just geography.

Having a supply base here makes sense, especially if French troops are to be deployed in south Lebanon.

Just my EUR 0.02

by Bernard (bernard) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 06:15:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

What, you don't trust the Moonies as a news source? Come on!

by Upstate NY on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 11:39:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

I'm sure you saw the report about the Senate dining room going back to serving French fries.

So all I'm going to say is that the timing sure looks suspicious...

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 12:12:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

I was just joking. Anything to come out of the Washtimes is certainly suspect.

by Upstate NY on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 12:21:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

I guess my snark might have been kind of oblique, I didn't mean to suggest I was taking youyr comment at face value. Sorry.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 12:26:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (none / 0)

LOL, and here I thought they were!

by Upstate NY on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 05:38:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: France to build up military base in Cyprus (4.00 / 2)

I presume the Cypriots are hoping that drunk French soldiers will behave better than drunk British ones.

It might work, unless the two armies meet each other.

by Gary J on Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 at 03:06:37 PM EST

France to build up military base in Cyprus | 18 comments (18 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Go to: [ European Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]

France to build up military base in Cyprus

Top Diaries

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

The end is Nigh?

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

The law of conservation of transness

Recent Diaries

Integrating Ukraine Into NATO Family

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

Incident Ukrainian War Display Gets Int'l Attention

German Climate Activists Group Outlawed

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

Targeted Assassinations: a Bankrupt Strategy

The end is Nigh?

Hijacking Peace by Zelensky for War Escalation

UA Drone Attack On Moscow

Rightwing Operation New EU 'Enlightenment’

Energy (and Other) Events Monthly - May 2023

May 2023

The law of conservation of transness

US Provoked Conflict In Europe

U.S. Will Be Ousted From Middle-East

Settler Extremism Blessed by Jerusalem Leaders