Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-07-16

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Thursday, July 16, 1998

A double-edged message to the US

Phileleftheros' main story yesterday was President Clerides return from Moscow, a trip which the paper described as sending a double-edged message to the Americans.

It says that on the one hand Clerides is pushing his demilitarisation proposals and on the other expressing his determination to purchase extra Russian hardware.

Apart from cementing the S-300 missile deal the matter of buying T-80 armoured vehicles and a batch of medium-ranged missiles were also discussed, the paper said.

The medium-range Russian missiles could replace the Italian manufactured Aspide missiles because of difficulties with the supplier.

Machi was keen to report Nicos Sampson's interview on Antenna TV about his part in 1974 coup. Sampson once again denied he took any part in trying to overthrow Makarios and said the coup was orchestrated to topple the military junta in Greece not to destroy the legal government of Cyprus.

The S-300 missile saga took a back seat on Alithia's front page in favour of the three-day Cyprus Airways strike declared by pilots for next week.

Cyprus Airways management informed Alithia that the strike would affect 153 flights - 34 from Eurocypria - ground 25,000 passengers (including 6, 000 Eurocypria passengers) and cost the company a staggering £1.85 million (including £350,000 losses for the charter wing).

Commerce Minister Nicos Rolandis is quoted as saying the strike would be a catastrophe for tourism in a year expected to break arrival records.

Predictably, Haravghi offers its front page as a reminder of the July 15 coup and the Turkish invasion that followed soon after.

With pictures of tanks and crying children, the paper marks the "Black Anniversary" stating "Don't Forget".

Simerini highlights the gripes of the Medical Association, which claims private doctors are being strangled by the state health sector. Private doctors herald the much delayed National Health Scheme as the only saviour.

Doctors blame the rift between nurses and top children's surgeon Eleni Theocharou on the intolerable pressures put on the health sector.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article