Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-04-07

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

Tuesday, April 7, 1998

Holbrooke issues ultimatum to both sides

A WARNING by US presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, that the US will halt its mediation efforts if the two parties in Cyprus don't adopt a conciliatory stance was the main article on the front pages of all Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that rather than the US directly pressuring Ankara, Holbrooke is attempting to `tempt' Turkey through concessions by the European Union.

The paper says that what Holbrooke's methods cause a lot of concern in EU circles.

A European diplomat said that it is improbable that the EU will agree to concessions towards Ankara given its state of economy and democratic institutions.

On another issue the paper says that according to reports in Greek mainland newspapers Turkish secret agents were to blame for fires which destroyed forests on Greek islands in the past years.

Alithia says that according to Holbrooke the solution of the Cyprus problem passes through Brussels.

The American envoy said that if there are improved relations between Turkey and EU the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem will be greatly aided.

Holbrooke said that the EU was right in opening its doors to Cyprus but went wrong in shutting Turkey out.

Alithia also reports that Holbrooke aims to bring Clerides and Denktash to the negotiating table in May and then, later this summer go ahead with plans for a Dayton-type meeting in the US for a final push to solve the Cyprus problem.

According to Simerini Holbrooke's comments before leaving Cyprus on Sunday amount to an ultimatum to both Denktash and Clerides.

The paper says that the American diplomat made it clear that the US will not waste the rest of this century going back and forth in search for a Cyprus solution if the two parties do not want one.

Agon says that some high-ranking Diko members have asked that party leader Spyros Kyprianou resigns his post in favour of parliamentary speaker Tassos Papadopoulos so that the party can reform to face the challenges of the future.

The paper says that the majority of speakers during the weekend congress of the party criticised the party's choice for February's presidential election.

Haravghi says that Akel General Secretary Demetris Christofias has asked for more openness on issues regarding the Cyprus problem.

Christofias said that the National Council should assume its right role which is to consult the President on the Cyprus problem after it has all the necessary information in front of it. He also accused the government of being a passive watcher of developments in the Cyprus problem instead of assuming a more active role.

To Tharros says that following Holbrooke's departure the US ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill will now try to get the two sides to agree to a military dialogue.

The paper says that there will be attempts to launch a discussion on the subjects of partial demilitarisation, the removal of certain guard posts from the Green Line and the cancellation of the deployment of the S-300 missiles.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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