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DATE=1/6/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-208302
TITLE=U-S CYPRUS MISSILES (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS PROTESTED RUSSIA'S SALE OF SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES TO CYPRUS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATEDEPARTMENT.

TEXT: CYPRUS HAS SIGNED A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE RUSSIAN S-300 ANTI AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM FOR A REPORTED 660 MILLION DOLLARS. THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SAYS IT NEEDS THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT HAS NO AIRFORCE AND MUST HAVE A DETERRENT AGAINST AIR ATTACK. TURKEY TAKES A DIFFERENT VIEW. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL NOT TOLERATE DEVELOPMENTS THAT CHANGE THE MILITARY BALANCE IN THE MEDITERRRANEAN.

THE UNITED STATES TAKES A SIMILAR VIEW. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT THE SALE TO BOTH CYPRUS AND RUSSIA. HE SAYS THE MISSILE SALE COMPLICATES EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE PEACE INCYPRUS.

THE CYPRIOT DECISION INTRODUCES A NEW AND DESTABILIZING MILITARY ELEMENT ON THE ISLAND AND IN THE REGION AT THE VERY TIME THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS EXPLORING WAYS TO FOSTER POLIITICAL COOPERATION TO SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCE A SETTLEMENT. CYPRUS IS ALREADY ONE OF THE MOST MILITARIZED REGIONS IN THE WORLD. TURKEY MAINTAINS A VERY LARGE MILITARY FORCE ON THE ISLAND AND BOTH SIDES ARE ALREADY HEAVILY ARMED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE PAST HAS SHOWN THAT IMPORTING WEAPONS BRINGS ONLY ARMS INCREASES BY THE OTHER SIDE. MR. BURNS SAYS THIS NEW MISSILE SYSTEM WILL TAKE THE ARMS BUILDUP ON CYPRUS TO A NEW QUALITATIVE LEVEL. WHILE THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS URGING BOTH SIDES TO RETURN TO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS, TURKEY IS IMPLYING A THREAT TO USE MILITARY FORCE TO PREVENT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE RUSSIAN MISSILES. THE STATE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THAT ESCALATION.

WE CERTAINLY HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE NO MILITARY REACTION, THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY BEYOND THE BOUNDS.

THE UNITED STATES CALLS ON BOTH GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO REDUCE TENSIONS BY REDUCING DEFENSE EXPENDITURES, ENDING PROVOCATIVE MILITARY EXERCISES AND IMPROVING SAFETY ALONG THE CEASEFIRE LINES. BY PURCHASING ANTI AIRCRAFT MISSILES, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A STEP DOWN THE WRONG PATH. (SIGNED)

NEB/PT

06-Jan-97 6:10 PM EST (2310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America