DATE=12/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243479
TITLE=CYPRIOT MISSILES (L ONLY)
BYLINE=CHRIS DRAKE
DATELINE=NICOSIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  POLITICAL LEADERS IN CYPRUS HAVE DELAYED A DECISION ON 
WHETHER TO TAKE DELIVERY OF A CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILE 
DEFENSE SYSTEM.  INSTEAD, CYPRIOT LEADERS PLAN MORE TALKS WITH 
GREEK OFFICIALS NEXT WEEK IN ATHENS.  TURKEY HAS THREATENED TO 
DESTROY THE MISSILES IF THEY ARE DELIVERED.  AND THE UNITED 
STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE LED AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT 
THEIR DEPLOYMENT.  AS CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, THE DELAY
WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER A FIVE-HOUR MEETING OF THE CYPRIOT NATIONAL 
COUNCIL WHICH GROUPS LEADERS OF ALL GREEK-CYPRIOT POLITICAL 
PARTIES.

TEXT:  THERE ARE DEEP DIVISIONS AMONG THE POLITICAL PARTIES ON 
WHETHER TO DEPLOY THE MISSILES.  SO, IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING 
THAT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING LASTED SO LONG -- AND STILL 
FAILED TO REACH A FINAL DECISION.

PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES FEELS THIS WEEK'S U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS ON CYPRUS MEET HIS CRITERIA FOR CANCELLING THE 
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY OF THE DEFENSE SYSTEM.  THAT VIEW WAS 
SUPPORTED BY BOTH U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITAIN'S PRIME 
MINISTER TONY BLAIR.

BUT HIS CRITICS!INSIST OOTHING IN THE RESOLUTIONS SUGGEST 
"SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS" HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS REUNITING THE GREEK 
AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES, OR THAT THE CHANCES OF MAKING HEADWAY 
LOOK POSITIVE -- TWO OF THE MAIN DEMANDS FOR CANCELLATION.

INADVERTENTLY SUPPORTING THEIR VIEW IS TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER 
RAUF DENKTASH, WHO HAS ALREADY REJECTED THE LATEST U-N CALL FOR A
RESUMPTION OF TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.  HE IS STILL INSISTING
ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN TWO INDEPENDENT STATES RATHER THAN TWO 
COMMUNITIES.  AND THE MAINLAND TURKISH GOVERNMENT AGREES.

WITH SO MUCH INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO SHELVE THE MISSILE DEAL, 
IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT MR. CLERIDES HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A 
FACE-SAVING WAY OUT.  BUT HIS POLITICAL OPPOSITION SAYS TO GIVE 
IN NOW WOULD MEAN HUMILIATION FOR CYPRUS, BECAUSE IT FAILED TO 
SECURE ESSENTIAL AND RELIABLE PROMISES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL 
COMMUNITY TO PERSUADE TURKEY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN NEGOTIATIONS.

JUST WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE MEETING IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK IS  
NOT  KNOWN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GREEK GOVERNMENT ALSO OPPOSES 
THE MISSILES' DELIVERY.

HOWEVER, THE GENERAL FEELING HERE IS THAT WHATEVER THE POLITICAL 
COST TO MR. CLERIDES, THE MISSILES PROBABLY WILL  NOT  BE COMING 
TO CYPRUS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/CD/JWH

24-Dec-98 9:49 AM EST (1449 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.