Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-03-11

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

Wednesday, March 11, 1998

Clerides proposal discussed in Athens

THE talks of President Clerides in Athens and the death of a National Guard soldier of meningitis were the main news items on the front pages of Tuesday's Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that Clerides has prepared a plan for the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the EU accession talks which was to be finalised during his talks in Athens with Greek Premier Costas Simitis yesterday.

The paper says that the plan proposes that the Turkish Cypriot members of the delegation be appointed by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The plan safeguards that the functioning of the Cyprus delegation does not in any way contravene the constitution. Furthermore, it is noted in the plan that when disagreements arise in the ranks of the Cyprus Republic delegation these are dealt with at a later stage so as not to hinder the on- going talks.

Regarding the death of the young soldier the paper says that doctors did not suspect meningitis but diagnosed a case of flu instead. The ministries of Defence and Health have ordered separate probes into the incident.

Simerini says that Clerides and Simitis will review many alternative proposals for the inclusion of Turkish Cypriots on the Cyprus negotiating team for the EU talks.

The paper says that the Cypriot and Greek governments aim to satisfy European expectations that the proposal is a generous one while at the same time trying to safeguard against any violations of the sovereignty of the Republic.

In preparing the plan care has been taken so that probable withdrawal of the Turkish Cypriots from the talks does not affect the process.

Alithia says that the Americans are distancing themselves from the issue of Turkish Cypriot participation on the EU negotiating team.

The paper says that the Americans are right now more concerned with the plans by the Cypriot government to deploy the S-300 missiles. The State Department's Special Co-ordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller has tried to convince President Clerides that Cyprus has more to gain by not deploying the Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles.

On the issue of the missiles Agon says that the Russian government has turned down a US request that it delays delivery of the missiles.

The paper says that about ten days ago American officials met Russian officials of the Foreign and Defence ministries to request the delay. According to the paper the Cypriot government has been notified of the US move.

Machi says that Thomas Miller was to present Denktash yesterday with concrete proposals to help restart the intercommunal talks.

The paper says that the American diplomat would undertake to stop the deployment of the S-300s if the Turkish Cypriot side returns to the negotiating table and participates in the EU talks.

Haravghi highlights a press conference by Akel leader Demetris Christofias during which he blamed George Iacovou's failure to get elected during the February presidential elections on the decision of Edek and the United Democrats not to back him.

The paper says that Christofias said that his party will try to win over voters who do not belong to Akel but appreciate its stance on the national issue and agree with its social policies.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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