Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-04-08

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

Wednesday, April 8, 1998

Parties criticise Holbrooke comments

COMMENTS made by the US President's special envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke that the US will end its mediation efforts in the Cyprus problem if the two sides do not appear willing to compromise as well as military issues related to the Cyprus problem were the main stories in Tuesday's Greek papers.

Phileleftheros says that Holbrooke's comments at Larnaca airport on Sunday came under heavy criticism from all Greek Cypriot political parties.

Diko's leader Spyros Kyprianou spearheaded the attack saying that he criticised the American envoy's comments in full knowledge of the fact that his reaction might have a cost on his political career.

According to the paper though the government reacted very mildly and made it clear that it wants the American diplomat to continue his mediation efforts.

On a different issue the paper says that if Italy does not provide Cyprus with the Aspide missiles the Cypriot government would seek to buy Russian- made ones.

Simerini reports that both the US and European countries have imposed an unofficial embargo of armaments to Cyprus in recent months.

The paper says that Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will make it clear to his Italian counterpart later this month that if Italy refuses to sell the Aspide missiles to Cyprus the Greek government will be forced to freeze all its orders for Italian-made military hardware.

Simerini also reports that the Council of Europe was to seek clarifications from Cyprus yesterday as to why the island's law regarding gay sex between consenting adults has not been amended.

Alithia says that the government seems to be on a collision course with the island's political parties regarding their reaction to the Holbrooke statements.

The paper says that the government fully supports the American initiative.

In a related story the paper says that the Washington Times in their Monday edition said that the EU does not aid a Cyprus solution with its negative response to Turkey's aspirations for EU membership.

Agon reports that a Diko Study Group analysed the presidential election results and expressed its concern for the party's future.

The paper says that a report prepared by the Group blames the party leadership for the disappointing election results.

Akel-backed Haravghi says that the Clerides administration chooses to praise the positive comments made by Richard Holbrooke while ignoring his negative remarks.

The paper also says that the government has not revealed the content of the long discussions of the American envoy with President Clerides.

Machi says that on Friday a former National Guard commander, Panayiotis Marcopoulos and General Demetrios Demou, rumoured to be the next National Guard commander, attended a dinner at the house of CIA official stationed at the American embassy in Greece.

The paper points out that Marcopoulos and CIA man Norton were both stationed in Cyprus when the first agreement for the removal of guard posts in areas bordering the Green Line was achieved.

The paper infers that the Americans are trying to secure a new agreement after Demou assumes his duties in Cyprus.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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