Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 99-07-13

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

Tuesday, July 13, 1999

Dearth of news opens door to talks speculation

A QUIET weekend in terms of news meant that speculation about the Cyprus problem featured prominently on most of yesterday's front pages. The arrest of eleven people in connection with a case of drug possession in Sotira was also given wide coverage.

Phileleftheros, quoting diplomatic sources, said that Washington had informed Nicosia that the US was determined to achieve results during the October talks. The Americans have made it clear that they "will not abandon their efforts at the first impasse they encounter, as had been the case in Troutbeck and Glion". They also consider it certain that Rauf Denktash will attend the talks.

"These are the messages that are continuously conveyed to Nicosia, although it is also quite clear that Washington has no intention to put pressure on the Turkish side to sit at the negotiating table and talk constructively," the paper said. Washington's contacts with Turkey were "very cautious" so as not to affect the relations of the two on other levels.

_Alithia

_ carried excerpts from an in interview given to the CyBC by foreign minister Ioannis Cassoulides, who warned the Turkish side not to take actions on the anniversary of the invasion that could prevent the resumption of the talks. He noted that any such actions could work against Turkey.

Cassoulides also took exception to comments by a US State Department officials who maintained that it would be difficult to prevent either side from raising any specific issue at the autumn peace talks. The Greek side would never accept discussing the confederation which Denktash planned to raise. It was up to the US to tell Denktash that his demands were "unrealistic", he said.

_Simerini

_ said that the Cyprus government had maps -- prepared in 1992 -- that related to the territorial and refugee issues and would be presented "in the event of serious negotiations". The maps were based on those prepared in the past by the UN, and envisage the return to their villages under Greek Cypriot administration of between 70 and 80 thousand refugees.

For the return of such a number of refugees, the Turkish side would have to hold on to 26 or 27 per cent of territory, compared to the 37 per cent it holds now. Areas with large pre-1974 concentrations of Greek Cypriots, such as Morphou, Kythrea and Famagusta would have to be returned.

_Haravghi

_ carried excerpts of a speech by the Akel leader Demetris Christofias, who repeated his party's regular warning that Cyprus negotiations would be taken out of the UN framework.

"The powerful of the West are promoting a variety of initiatives aimed at diverting the Cyprus issue from the UN framework and leading it to an unjust settlement that would be in interest of the people of Cyprus," he said. Turkey was being excessively arrogant because the West was violating principles and values and backing Ankara, the paper quoted him as saying.

_To Tharros

_ reported that it had evidence of a mobilisation of Turkey's war machine and of the reinforcement of occupying troops. Turkey's aim was to provoke a "heated incident" in Cyprus which would lead to the partition of Cyprus.

Political sources in Nicosia and Athens told the paper that Ankara was preparing to resolve its differences with Greece once and for all and to achieve its expansionist plans by pursuing a military solution to the Cyprus problem.

_Politis

_ led with a report claiming there was disagreement within the Holy Synod over the disposal of Church property by people close to the Archbishop. It also carried a short interview by Bishop of Paphos Chrysostomos, who alleged there were circles promoting a specific priest as successor to the Archbishop.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999

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