Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-03-10

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

Tuesday, March 10, 1998

Miller holds vital Cyprus talks

THE visit to Cyprus by the US State Department's Special Co-ordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller, to discuss the Cyprus problem was the main news item in Monday's Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that plans for the deployment of the S-300 missiles would be the main topic of discussion during Miller's talks on the island.

The paper says that the American diplomat would try to convince President Clerides that it would be to the best interest of Cyprus not to deploy the Russian-made missiles.

On another issue the paper says that Sir David Hannay has made it clear that the government's invitation to the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the EU accession talks must be a `generous' one.

The proposal will be judged for its sincerity and effectiveness by the 15 EU member states.

Simerini says that Miller considers it vital that a good climate is created in Cyprus to facilitate the speedy resumption of the Cyprus talks.

The paper says that the American diplomat will have to overcome the intransigent stand that both Denktash and Ankara have adopted on the Cyprus problem during recent months. He is scheduled to visit both Athens and Ankara after he wraps up his contacts in Cyprus.

On the issue of missing persons the paper says that Thomas Miller has indicated that the remains of only one person were discovered by the US investigating team near the occupied village of Ashia. There had been rumours that the remains of a second person had been discovered in the area where the remains of Andreas Kasapis had been found.

Alithia reports that according to Thomas Miller, US presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, remains committed to finding a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Miller said upon arrival at Larnaca Airport that the US will continue their efforts for a solution but was not in a position to guarantee the success of the initiative.

According to Agon the Cyprus government is `irritated' by the fact that Denktash's letter to Clerides was handed over to the President by the UN.

The paper says that the letter was in an envelope carrying the stamp of the self-proclaimed `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'. According to the paper the UN has in this way indirectly recognised Denktash's illegal regime.

Haravghi says that Miller's visit to Cyprus has a two-fold aim.

The first is to convince the Cyprus government not to deploy the S-300 missiles and the second to pressure Denktash into adopting a more conciliatory stance on the Cyprus problem.

The American diplomat plans to engage in talks covering the whole spectrum of the Cyprus problem, and does not appear willing to look at isolated aspects.

To Tharros says that the following weeks will be crucial in the future prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The paper says that Miller's two-day visit will be followed by a visit by Richard Holbrooke.

According to the paper political analysts believe that the Greco-Turkish disputes will not escape the attention of the American diplomats in their effort to overcome the deadlock in the Cyprus talks.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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