Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-14

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] "Defense News" - No-fly zone

[02] AHI - Protest - S300s

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] "Defense News" - No-fly zone

It noted that although a no-fly zone would make the task of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) harder, it would be a step towards demilitarisation by reducing tensions here.

"All parties involved should embrace the idea of a no-fly zone over the divided island of Cyprus, if it means the Greek Cypriots will opt against deploying controversial S-300 missile batteries," the American's magazine July 13-19 issue noted.

It said that Nicosia's January 1997 decision to buy these air defence missiles has exacerbated already high tension levels in the region.

Noting that the missiles are not likely to be delivered before November, "Defence News" said "this delay gives both sides an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of a no-fly zone or other mutually agreed steps that would make the S-300s unnecessary."

It cited the no-fly zone proposal reiterated last week by Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos during talks with his US counterpart William Cohen, noting that Greece regards this as a first step towards demilitarisation of the island.

"Although administering a no-fly zone would make the Cyprus peacekeeping mission even more tedious, any step towards disarmament is preferable to growing hostilities," it added.

The magazine referred to Turkish denials towards any "concessions" to solve this problem and noted that Greece and Turkey "should compromise if the outcome is favourable to each."

"Turkey would achieve its desired end of scuttling the S-300 deal and both sides would avert the imminent possibility of armed conflict," it said.

The "Defense News" article concluded that "both sides have more to gain than lose" by choosing the no-fly zone option.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA DA/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1145:CYPPRESS:02

[02] AHI - Protest - S300s

In a letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, AHI President Eugene Rossides protested a call earlier this month by State Department spokesman James Rubin for the S-300s purchase to be cancelled, describing it as "ill-judged".

He also criticises the US administration for having created the S-300 issue in January 1997 where none existed and for siding with Turkey over the issue.

Rubin had said "the bottom line is that we want the deal to be cancelled. These missiles should not be delivered, should not be obtained, the sale should be cancelled, period, full stop."

"The administration's position is contrary to and in violation of the rule of law," the letter said.

It argued that, by failing to support Cyprus' sovereign right of self- defence, the US government violates basic international law, "which is also enshrined in the UN Charter, is harmful to the world-wide interests of the US."

"The position of our government is particularly odious as our government created the S-300 issue in the first place, when on January 6, 1997, the State Department violated international law by condemning Cyprus for buying this defencive system," it added.

AHI further criticises US administration's diplomatic tactics which "place all the burden for concessions on the Republic of Cyprus rather than on the real source of the problem, namely Turkey."

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

It noted that despite President Glafcos Clerides' repeated proposals that the S-300s purchase will be cancelled if Turkey takes steps on demilitarisation, the Turkish military-controlled government has not reciprocated, but has made new threats.

"Over the S-300 issue, the administration is siding with Turkey, the aggressor, over Cyprus, the victim," it said, noting "it is no wonder that the Turkish military reacts by new threats of aggression and by placing unacceptable preconditions in the way of negotiations" for a Cyprus settlement.

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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