Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-04-02

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

Thursday, April 2, 1998

Cyprus solution is top priority

THE latest developments in the Cyprus problem in connection with the formal start of Cyprus' accession talks with the EU were the main stories in yesterday's Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that according to Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides the government's first priority is the solution of the Cyprus problem with EU entry taking a second place.

The minister also said that Cyprus should not be punished because Turkish intransigence has left the Cyprus problem unsolved for so many years.

Alithia says that according to the US ambassador to Cyprus the start of EU accession talks should aid efforts to find a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

In a related story the paper says that US presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke will be in Cyprus during the first week of this month to try to break the impasse in the Cyprus talks. US diplomat Thomas Miller will also be in Cyprus during that time.

Simerini reports that after a meeting of UN Security Council members the American representative declined demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that he is recognised as the head of a state, and that the Cyprus talks be conducted between two states instead of the two communities from now on.

In another story the paper says that both Germany and France are now pressuring Greece to agree to the release of EU funds set aside for Turkey.

Agon says that Diko rebel Alexis Galanos has decided the formation of a new political party aiming to house all those who disagreed with their party's decision to back George Iacovou in February's presidential elections.

The paper says that Interior Minister and Diko vice-president Dinos Michaelides will be Galano's main ally in his new venture.

In another story the paper says that Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos received assurances from Russian President Boris Yeltsin that the S-300 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles will be delivered to Cyprus on time.

Machi also reports the Kremlin meeting between the Greek Minister and Boris Yeltsin.

It also says that the supreme commander of the Turkish armed forces will be in Russia on an official visit shortly and is expected to raise the missiles issue with his Russian counterparts.

The paper says that Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' proposal for a no-fly zone over Cyprus in return for the cancellation of the deployment of the missiles was discussed during his meeting with Nato Secretary General Javier Solana.

Haravghi highlights comments by Akel's Secretary General Demetris Christofias that there is a plan by government officials and powerful businessmen to privatise semi-governmental organisations.

Christofias said that rather than seeking to privatise them the government should instead try to modernise them so that they can be economically viable in the field of competitive market.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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