Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-03-31

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

Tuesday, March 31, 1998

Missiles to be deployed in Greece?

THE start of the accession process of Cyprus to the EU and rumours that Greece and Cyprus are discussing whether the S-300 missiles should be deployed in Greece instead of Cyprus were the main news items in Monday's Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that the meetings in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday would be largely ceremonial.

The paper says that substantive talks will start on Friday.

On another issue the paper says that the US is now pressuring the Cypriot government to lift the embargo on trade with the occupied areas. Pressure is also being exerted on Greece to lift its objections for the freeing of EU funds to Turkey.

The Americans see this as a good way to convince Turkey to adopt a more positive stance on the Cyprus problem.

The paper also says that government sources have denied rumours in the Greek mainland press that the S-300 missiles will be deployed in Greece instead of Cyprus.

Simerini is another paper that says that the Turks will `talk' only if Greece lifts its objections for the EU funds.

The paper says that both European EU countries as well as the Americans are pressuring Greece on this issue.

On the accession talks the paper points out that the government will not accept a delay of the accession procedure, as requested by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, so that the Cyprus problem is solved before EU membership.

To Tharros devotes much of its front-page stories on defence issues.

The paper says that according to Greek defence sources the S-300s will probably end up in some Greek defence ministry warehouse instead of Cyprus.

To Tharros also says that Italy has decided not to honour an agreement signed with Cyprus for the purchase of Aspide missiles.

Agon says that Diko dissidents have declined an invitation to participate in a party conference on Sunday.

The paper says that Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides and other `rebels' received an invitation ten days ago to participate but have decided to skip the party's Pancyprian conference.

Alithia highlights President Clerides' comments that Cyprus will not agree to a delay of the accession talks so that EU entry coincides with a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The paper says that Cyprus has made a `generous' offer to Turkish Cypriots to participate in the EU talks which was met by a negative stance by Denktash.

Haravghi publishes rumours about the S-300s being deployed in Greece.

The paper says that in such a case a parameter that will have to be taken into account is Russia's reaction. It says that Russian diplomats have given their full backing to Cyprus' decision and will not be very pleased to learn that the missiles will end up in Greece instead of Cyprus.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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