Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-10-11

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

Saturday, October 11, 1997

`New constitution being prepared'

THE CYPRUS problem and the S-300 missiles were the lead stories once again yesterday after the briefest of respites.

Alithia, reporting a speech by British envoy Sir David Hannay at the Belgian Royal Institute of International Affairs, said that the preparation of detailed legal documents for Cyprus was under way. The legal documents would cover issues such as sovereignty and political equality.

Once these documents were agreed they would become the new constitution of the bizonal, bicommunal, federal Cyprus. Sir David admitted that the drafting of a new constitution would not resolve all problems as there would still be a lack of trust between the two communities.

Phileleftheros reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was preparing his own document ahead of his visit to Washington. It would set out his positions on the latest Cyprus developments, the Russian missiles and the EU entry bid, the paper said.

Parallel to this, Denktash was trying to restrict the criticism he was facing from Turkish Cypriot parties and organisations over his handling of the EU issue. He was quoted as saying that he wanted "the support of his people" ahead of the US visit.

Haravghi reported that Denktash would demand recognition of the pseudo- state before sitting at a new round of negotiations if the EU Council of Ministers approved the Commission's decision to begin Cyprus's accession talks in 1998.

It quoted the pseudo-state's `foreign minister' as saying that "the parameters of negotiations would change after December 12", the date on which the EU Council of Ministers is expected to reach a decision on the entry talks.

Machi said Cyprus had already prepared its response to the mounting threat by Turkey over the deployment of the S-300 missiles. The National Guard had formulated a plan to provide air cover for the missiles, it said.

Another missile system, with its own radar, would be used to protect the S- 300 missiles, it said. The ministry of defence had asked the House to approve £11 million for the purchase of the missiles, it added.

Agon, under the headline "Drugs in Limassol schools", said there was an increase in drug-use by Limassol school students. Three incidents were reported at two schools in the last six days, it said.

Two of the three incidents had been reported to the police and were being investigated. The third incident, which was not reported, involved "group- smoking by students".

Simerini said the Cyprus justice system would be radically altered once the law on evidence is changed. The government has tabled a bill which would give more power to the courts to sentence suspects.

© Copyright 1997 Cyprus Mail

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