Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-03-18

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Wednesday, March 18, 1998

Turkey key to any Cyprus progress

WAITING for the arrival of the UN chief's Special Adviser Diego Cordovez for talks yesterday, Greek newspapers diverted their attention to Monday's sandstorm and a variety of political issues.

Phileleftheros says that following his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Cordovez will consult with the UN chief to decide as to whether there will be a meeting between the UN Secretary General and the Turkish Cypriot leader.

The paper says that there is a possibility that the two men will meet in Geneva on March 26.

According to the paper all foreign envoys working on the Cyprus problem have diverted their attention to Turkey in an effort to get the Turkish side to adopt a more positive stance on the resumption of the Cyprus talks.

Regarding the sandstorm the paper says that several people with chronic respiratory problems visited town hospitals on Monday to be treated.

Simerini says that it has been decided by the Greek and Cypriot governments that the new commander of the National Guard will be General Demetris Demou. Demou had served as commander of the Greek force (Eldyk) in Cyprus in the past.

The paper says that Cypriot Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou will travel to Athens on Thursday for talks on the issue.

Regarding the sandstorm the paper says that it has caused widespread damage to plantations on the island. The water shortage problem will also be further intensified as people will use more water to clean cars and buildings.

Machi reports that according to the president of the National Struggle Committee for Missing Persons, Father Economos Christoforos, there is information that 14 Greek Cypriots missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion have been sighted alive.

The paper says that the information came from a Greek Cypriot living abroad. According to the informer he saw the missing persons himself.

Haravghi reports that the main aim of British and American envoys is the resumption of the Cyprus talks and the cancellation of the deployment of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

The paper says that the possibility of the adoption of confidence-building measures will offer a face-saving way to stop the deployment of the missiles.

Alithia reports that two American experts are currently in Cyprus to tackle the water shortage problem with joint projects in which both communities will participate.

The paper says that the two Americans yesterday met with Cypriot Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous. The Minister stated after the meeting that the government is ready to participate in such projects.

Agon says that Diko's parliamentary spokesman, Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed his intention to quit his post, but will continue as one of the party's House of Representatives members.

According to the paper Papadopoulos has said that he is forced to be abroad for several days each month, something which interferes with his duties as parliamentary spokesman.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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