Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-11-05

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

Thursday, November 5, 1998

Cyprus not convinced by Israel's assurances

YESTERDAY'S papers again highlighted Israeli president Ezer Weizman's visit to the island and his assurances that Israel would not join any Turkish attack on the island, despite a Turkey-Israel military co-operation agreement. All the papers stress that the government remained unconvinced by the assurances.

Haravghi reports on Weizman's statements that Turkey is important to Israel as it is the largest influential Arab country "that is not fanatical and that fights its fanaticism, something that is in everyone's interest, including Cyprus'".

The paper reports that Weizman was not "one hundred per cent sure" whether he had persuaded president Glafcos Clerides and the political leadership that the military agreement did not affect Israel's relationship with Cyprus or the Cyprus problem.

Simerini echoed these feelings with its headline, "Weizman did not convince the Cypriots after all." It continues with Weizman admitting that Israel could not sell F-16 fighter planes or other heavy weaponry to Cyprus or sign a military agreement with Nicosia similar to that signed with Turkey.

The paper also gave attention to a possible rise in fees paid at hospitals. Doctors believe that the 25 per cent proposed rise may not be sufficient.

Alithia reported on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's announcement that he will take unspecified 'measures' against the Greek Cypriot side when substantive EU accession talks begin on November 10. The paper says that the measures have "complete support from Ankara, but Cyprus is confident that the accession process will not be interrupted".

Phileleftheros continued in this vein, with reports of Denktash saying: "Our positions on November 9 will be completely different from that on November 10."

The paper also gave attention to special police Mmad possibly being divided into "two streams".

An elite team will be trained to counter terrorist activities and organised violence. These will receive extra training in Israel or the USA.

The remainder will continue on more regular duties, such as violence at football games.

Machi led with a Russian businessman's allegation that Bishop of Limassol Chrysanthos had cheated him out of $719,000. Sato Valeri, a permanent resident of Cyprus, claims he donated the money to build a Russian church. He says the money had not been used for that purpose and demands its return.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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