Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-08-21

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Friday, 21/08/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus calls on US to see who is to blame for tension in Cyprus

[01] Cyprus calls on US to see who is to blame for tension in Cyprus

According to press reports, after meetings in Ankara, the US State Department co-ordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, came away empty handed on a proposal for a halt to flights by Greek and Turkish military planes over Cyprus.

Describing his discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit as "useful", Mr Miller is reported to have said "Look at my hands; as you can see they are empty".

Moreover, speaking on his return from a holiday cruise in the Aegean, President Glafcos Clerides said yesterday he would be briefed about US contacts in Ankara when he meets with Mr Miller.

President Clerides said "the government has no plans to postpone the arrival of the S300 missiles."

The government has indicated it would consider postponing deployment of the missiles if Nato enforced a no-fly zone.

"For the time being, the decision of the National Council is still valid," he said.

The Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, has decided to deploy the missiles unless there is sufficient progress towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem or moves leading to the demilitarisation of the island.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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