DATE=12/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243479
TITLE=CYPRIOT MISSILES (L ONLY)
BYLINE=CHRIS DRAKE
DATELINE=NICOSIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: POLITICAL LEADERS IN CYPRUS HAVE DELAYED A DECISION ON
WHETHER TO TAKE DELIVERY OF A CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILE
DEFENSE SYSTEM. INSTEAD, CYPRIOT LEADERS PLAN MORE TALKS WITH
GREEK OFFICIALS NEXT WEEK IN ATHENS. TURKEY HAS THREATENED TO
DESTROY THE MISSILES IF THEY ARE DELIVERED. AND THE UNITED
STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE LED AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT
THEIR DEPLOYMENT. AS CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, THE DELAY
WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER A FIVE-HOUR MEETING OF THE CYPRIOT NATIONAL
COUNCIL WHICH GROUPS LEADERS OF ALL GREEK-CYPRIOT POLITICAL
PARTIES.
TEXT: THERE ARE DEEP DIVISIONS AMONG THE POLITICAL PARTIES ON
WHETHER TO DEPLOY THE MISSILES. SO, IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING
THAT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING LASTED SO LONG -- AND STILL
FAILED TO REACH A FINAL DECISION.
PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES FEELS THIS WEEK'S U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS ON CYPRUS MEET HIS CRITERIA FOR CANCELLING THE
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY OF THE DEFENSE SYSTEM. THAT VIEW WAS
SUPPORTED BY BOTH U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITAIN'S PRIME
MINISTER TONY BLAIR.
BUT HIS CRITICS!INSIST OOTHING IN THE RESOLUTIONS SUGGEST
"SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS" HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS REUNITING THE GREEK
AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES, OR THAT THE CHANCES OF MAKING HEADWAY
LOOK POSITIVE -- TWO OF THE MAIN DEMANDS FOR CANCELLATION.
INADVERTENTLY SUPPORTING THEIR VIEW IS TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER
RAUF DENKTASH, WHO HAS ALREADY REJECTED THE LATEST U-N CALL FOR A
RESUMPTION OF TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. HE IS STILL INSISTING
ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN TWO INDEPENDENT STATES RATHER THAN TWO
COMMUNITIES. AND THE MAINLAND TURKISH GOVERNMENT AGREES.
WITH SO MUCH INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO SHELVE THE MISSILE DEAL,
IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT MR. CLERIDES HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A
FACE-SAVING WAY OUT. BUT HIS POLITICAL OPPOSITION SAYS TO GIVE
IN NOW WOULD MEAN HUMILIATION FOR CYPRUS, BECAUSE IT FAILED TO
SECURE ESSENTIAL AND RELIABLE PROMISES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TO PERSUADE TURKEY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN NEGOTIATIONS.
JUST WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE MEETING IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK IS
NOT KNOWN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GREEK GOVERNMENT ALSO OPPOSES
THE MISSILES' DELIVERY.
HOWEVER, THE GENERAL FEELING HERE IS THAT WHATEVER THE POLITICAL
COST TO MR. CLERIDES, THE MISSILES PROBABLY WILL NOT BE COMING
TO CYPRUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/CD/JWH
24-Dec-98 9:49 AM EST (1449 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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