By Jean Christou
GREECE and Cyprus fuelled already intense speculation over the Russian S- 300 missiles by remaining tight-lipped as to their fate after a key Athens meeting yesterday.
But neither side ruled out that the controversial missiles might end up in Crete, instead of Cyprus.
Whatever the decision, however, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis made clear it would ultimately fall to the Cyprus government.
“There is one principle: Cyprus decides,” Simitis said after the two-hour meeting with Clerides, which was also attended by the foreign and defence ministers of both countries.
“In this case and in every other case the Cyprus government will decide, and there will be consultation with Greece as well,” Simitis said.
“There are ongoing discussions. If we say what we will do if something happens or when we will do it, we damage our own efforts.”
Speaking to journalists, both leaders blamed Turkish threats and Turkish intransigence for the need to deploy the missiles, and repeated that the controversial system was purely defensive.
“Greece and Cyprus have nothing to gain from creating tension,” Simitis said.
“Turkey has something to gain from creating tensions. Turkey is the one trying to create excuses.”
Turkey has repeatedly threatened military action if the missiles are deployed in Cyprus.
Simitis said any defensive measures taken had the sole aim of protecting Cyprus against escalating Turkish threats.
He pledged that Greece would stand by Cyprus, whatever decision it took, and that obligations relating to the joint defence dogma always remained valid.
“They (armaments) are not being bought as a means to an end, but we want them to help promote a peaceful and democratic way for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions,” Simitis said.
“The defensive S-300 air system, about which there has been so much talk recently, is part of the effort Cyprus is making for her defence.”
President Clerides said he agreed fully with the statements made by the Greek Prime Minister.
“Our effort was always for a peaceful solution, but of course, should Turkey carry out any threats, there can be no doubt that we will both be ready and will defend ourselves,” Clerides said.
Greece is thought to be trying to pull the Americans into a broader security arrangement that would give Cyprus an excuse not to deploy the missiles.
Greek officials quoted by the Associated Press yesterday said
Athens has discussed the possibility of a Cretan deployment with the United States.
The press in Greece and Cyprus have worked themselves into a frenzy over the past week with speculation on the fate of the missiles.
Yesterday’s talks had been billed in the media as a crunch meeting at which a final decision would be taken on the missiles.
The Cyprus government had sought to play down the meeting as “routine”, saying it was being held to exchange views and assessments about all parameters of the Cyprus problem.
