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US initiative within 45 days?
THE CYPRUS problem has started to re-appear on the front pages, with
speculation about a new diplomatic initiative mounting, although the
Yugoslavia crisis remains the major issue.
Alithia
reported that the United States were expected to undertake initiatives on
Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations within the next 45 days. The initiative
will take place within the context of the G8 summit - consisting of the
world's seven richest countries and Russia - and will involve the drafting
of a paper of principles which will be passed by the UN Security Council.
This summer, the UN Secretary-General will be given a mandate by the
Security Council to call the two sides to a conference with a broad agenda
and featuring all aspects of constitutional and territorial issues. Talks
about the matter had advanced considerably. Greece's deputy Foreign
Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis had been discussing the matter with the US
ambassador to Athens. In Greece there was "restrained optimism", the paper
said.
Phileleftheros
claimed that the US had no intention to "bother" Turkey with demands about
Cyprus and her relations with Greece, as a result of Ankara's participation
in the Yugoslavia war effort. The crisis had been exploited to the full by
Turkey whose contribution to the war effort was considered very important
by the Pentagon. For the US, all efforts were concentrated on how to
intensify operations against President Milosevic and on no account would
they want to jeopardise relations with allies by pursuing other objectives.
This thinking had affected the approach the US was to adopt in the Cyprus
peace efforts. The US intends to get other countries involved in a new
initiative, expected to take place in the autumn.
Simerini
claimed there were differences between the generals of the Pentagon and the
generals of Nato over the way the war against Yugoslavia was being
conducted. The paper claimed that the Pentagon opposed the use of Apache
assault helicopters because the safety of the crews was endangered and
there was a possibility that the war would spread to Albania where the
'copters were based. Nato chief Wesley Clark had been pressurising
Washington in order to allow the use of the Apaches despite the dangers
mentioned above. This was seen as proof by analysts that Nato's operations
in Yugoslavia have been far from effective, the paper concluded.
To Tharros
reported that Nato had given itself another fortnight in which to get a
deal in Yugoslavia through the use of air strikes. This was said during a
secret briefing of representatives of Nato member countries by Nato's
General Clark last week. The stepping up of the air strikes was inevitable;
as the paper predicted, "They will flatten Yugoslavia" with bombings of
"unprecedented savagery".
Haravghi
devoted its front page entirely to the Sixth Peace March, which started in
Xylotymbou and went through Dhekelia base. "Thousands march against the
murderers," said the headline on the front page which carried six pictures
from the anti-Nato walk.
Politis reported the
existence of a ring of Moldovan and Ukrainian extortionists who allegedly
took half the savings from foreign prostitutes, when the latter were about
to return to their countries. The paper claimed that policemen were also
involved in the racket as they would step in and demand the money if the
threats of the extortionists had failed.
© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999
