Turkey's "Anatolian News Agency" quotes a senior Cypriot source as saying that Israel plans to send 20,000 soldiers to the Greek part of the island to protect its energy sources in the area. The report adds that at least 30,000 Israeli workers and their families will move to Limassol to work on planned joint Israeli-Cypriot projects.
On February 16, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Cyprus Prime Minister Dimitris Christofias to discuss matters of joint interest to the two countries in the region.
Although the substance of the meeting remain confidential, the "Anatolian News Agency" has disclosed new details about the meeting, quoting a senior Cypriot source who claims that the Cypriot president explicitly asked Netanyahu to persuade Israeli businessmen to suspend investment in the Turkish controlled part of the island. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The Cypriot official also claims that Netanyahu offered to Christofias to finance all expenses for a drilling rig in the Mediterranean, a project planned by both countries. In exchange, Netanyahu asked that all the employees and crew for the projects (about 10,000 persons) should be Israeli and come with their families, with the result that, according to the "Anatolian News Agency", 30,000 Israeli citizens would reside in Greek part of Cyprus.
To meet the security arrangements created by such a large number of Israelis, Netanyahu proposed that 20,000 soldiers would protect the civilians and energy facilities. "The Israelis are coming, and they are here to stay," the "Anatolian News Agency" quotes the official as saying.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 21, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012