Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-04-28

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

Tuesday, April 28, 1998

Cyprus peace conference in July?

THE upcoming new US initiative to solve the Cyprus problem and the latest developments on the issue attracted the attention of all Greek newspapers on Monday.

Phileleftheros says that US Presidential Envoy Richard Holbrooke's main aim when he comes to Cyprus early next month will be to secure the agreement of both communities in Cyprus to participate in face-to-face talks in July.

The paper says that the Americans are seriously considering the presence of American President Bill Clinton at the start of the talks to add more weight to their initiative.

On another issue the paper says that Akel deputy Andreas Christou is charging the during the restoration of Ayia Napa church in Limassol very old frescoes were destroyed.

Alithia is another paper which reports that the US is paving the ground for a peace conference in July to solve the long-standing Cyprus dispute.

The paper says that the American plans will take their final shape after Holbrooke meets both President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Cyprus next month.

According to the paper Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides still has some hopes that Turkey will change its intransigent stance on the Cyprus problem.

Simerini reports that Holbrooke has already prepared alternative plans of action in case he fails during his May trip to get the two sides to the negotiating table.

The paper says that one of his plans foresees the more active involvement of Bill Clinton in an attempt to pressure the two sides into a more positive approach of the problems which might arise.

To Tharros says that Washington wants the two sides in Cyprus to enter into negotiations without really placing a lot of importance on what the talks will be termed as.

The paper reports that the main aim of the Americans is to achieve progress so that the Russian-made S-300 missiles are not deployed in Cyprus.

Akel-backed Haravghi reports that the United States are aiming for an intercommunal peace conference in July.

The paper says that the conference will be presided over by Richard Holbrooke but will also have the blessings of the United Nations.

Agon reports that the Cypriot government is now more optimistic than ever for a solution because of the direct involvement of the Americans at a high level.

The paper says that the US is now prepared to use its influence with the parties involved to secure lasting peace in the area, something which is vital to American geo-political interests.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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