|
Russia May Want A Cyprus Naval Port In Exchange For A Bailout
The key graf in the report from Ekathimerini:
It is likely the Russians will ask for some form of compensation for such an investment. A naval port in Cyprus for the Russian fleet and access to the country's natural gas reserves are among the rewards Moscow might seek.
This sounds right to me. Gaining the (or at least a) concession on the natural gas reserves in the sea-bed around Cyprus would allow the Russians to maintain their strangle-hold on gas supplies to Europe. That's power in a very real way. The naval base idea is the insurance policy in case Syria goes belly-up for them and Tartus is no longer available. It lets the Russians keep their hand in the game.
And there's no reason why they couldn't bargain for both. |
Posted by: Uncle Phester 2013-03-21 |
