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DATE=7/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235362
TITLE=RUSSIA / CYPRUS (L)
BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AND VISITING CYPRIOT 
PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES HAVE REAFFIRMED A CONTROVERSIAL DEAL 
TO SUPPLY THE DIVIDED ISLAND WITH RUSSIAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES.
V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS THE TWO MET 
MONDAY AT THE KREMLIN.
TEXT:  AN AIDE TO PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SAYS THE RUSSIAN AND 
CYPRIOT LEADERS DID  NOT  DISCUSS A TIMETABLE FOR DELIVERY OF THE
S-300 ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES.  BUT THE AIDE, SERGEI PRIKHODKO, 
SAYS THE TWO REAFFIRMED THEY WILL MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER 
THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ARMS DEAL.
        ///  PRIKHODKO ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  ///
THE KREMLIN AIDE SAYS "MILITARY-TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN 
RUSSIA AND CYPRUS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF BILATERAL RELATIONS." 
RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS IT HAS ALREADY TRAINED CYPRIOT 
FORCES ON HOW TO USE THE WEAPONS SYSTEM.  IT IS EXPECTED TO BE 
DELIVERED TO CYPRUS LATER THIS YEAR.
RUSSIA HAS COME UNDER CRITICISM FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR GOING 
AHEAD WITH THE ARMS SALE.  WESTERN CRITICS CHARGE THAT DEPLOYMENT
OF THE GROUND-TO-AIR MISSILES WILL ONLY ESCALATE TENSIONS ON 
CYPRUS.  RUSSIA ARGUES IT IS SIMPLY A COMMERCIAL DEAL NOT AIMED 
AT SPARKING NEW CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOT 
COMMUNITIES.
NEVERTHELESS, TURKEY HAS WARNED IT MIGHT USE FORCE TO BLOCK THE 
DEPLOYMENT, ARGUING THE WEAPONS SYSTEM IS A THREAT BOTH TO 
TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND TO TURKEY.  
PRESIDENT CLERIDES, WHO HEADS THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED 
GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT, TOLD REPORTERS BEFORE HE CAME TO MOSCOW
THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER DELAYING THE DELIVERY -- BUT ONLY IF 
TURKISH CYPRIOTS AGREE TO REUNIFICATION TALKS AND IF THE 
NEGOTIATIONS MAKE PROGRESS.  
CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDIDED SINCE 1974 WHEN TURKISH TROOPS INVADED 
FOLLOWING A GREEK-BACKED COUP.  REUNIFICATION TALKS ARE AT A 
STANDSTILL.  (SIGNED)
NEB/MLK/JWH
13-Jul-98 8:38 AM EDT (1238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.