Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-12-10

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

Thursday, December 10, 1998

Holbrooke back in the spotlight

US PRESIDENTIAL envoy Richard Holbrooke's reported involvement in efforts to find a way of preventing the deployment of the missiles in Cyprus was yesterday's leading story.

Simerini reported that Holbrooke would be actively and directly involved in the efforts to find a formula that would lead to the cancellation of the missile installation. He would also prepare the ground for the development of a US peace initiative after spring's general elections in Turkey.

Holbrooke had had three telephone conversations with President Clerides recently, exchanging views about the missile issue. At the weekend he is expected for talks in Turkey, and from there he would fly to Athens for further consultations. The possibility of visit to Cyprus could not be ruled out.

Phileleftheros said that Holbrooke had given no indication about the direction his efforts would take, restricting himself to general positions such as the introduction of confidence-building measures.

A US source told the paper that the effort to settle the missile issue would be stepped up in the next few days, while UN deputy representative Dame Ann Hercus would continue to handle peace efforts. Her frequent meetings with Clerides suggested that UN wanted to speed up procedures.

Haravghi said the UN Secretariat, in co-operation with the US, was preparing a proposal for the reduction of tension and defence spending. It described the formula as "life jacket for Clerides", because it would minimise the political cost of cancelling the missile deal for the president.

Quoting House President Spyros Kyprianou, it said that UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan was in consultation with members of the Security Council with regard to the preparation of the proposals for reducing tension.

Alithia reported that Germany's special representative for Cyprus, Detlef Graf zu Rantzau, seemed to share the view of some foreigners for the unilateral disarmament of Cyprus. "Even if Cyprus was armed to the teeth" it would not be "defendable if attacked by a determined foe," he said.

He added that the ideal security for Cyprus would be to have the best possible relations with neighbouring countries. A settlement of the Cyprus problem would be a step in this direction.

Machi, continuing its anti-Akel rhetoric, said the communist party would impose a man of its choice as the new general-secretary of the Peo trade union federation. This decision had met with the opposition of union members who considered the party's choice an outsider.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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