By Jean Christou
U.S. STATE Department Special Cyprus Co-ordinator Thomas Miller arrived on the island yesterday talking of a possible Cyprus- American agreement on the deployment of the controversial Russian S-300 missiles.
“Clearly, the S-300s is an issue we are concerned about… We are working with the Cyprus government on this issue to find a solution that I think is mutually satisfactory,” Miller said, adding that the issue was going to be a topic of his consultations in Cyprus.
Speaking on arrival at Larnaca Airport at the start of his 24-hour visit, Miller said if such an agreement were reached it could open the way forward for an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem.
“A mutually satisfactory solution to this issue could lead to new opportunities to get focused back on what is my job, our objective,” Miller said.
“The objective is, has been and will be a solution to the Cyprus problem. It is important to stay focused on that.”
Miller is on the island for talks today with Unficyp Chief of Mission Dame Ann Hercus, who recently began shuttle talks with the island’s two leaders with the aim of reducing tensions and persuading Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table.
Denktash pulled out of talks last year when the EU announced it would open accession negotiations with Cyprus. The controversial missile deal has further complicated efforts to find a solution.
The government has said it would only consider not deploying the S- 300s if there was progress in talks for a settlement or for demilitarisation.
A suggestion – believed to have come from the Americans – that the missiles be deployed on the Greek island of Crete – has recently caused a rift between Nicosia and Athens, which supports the face-saving idea.
Miller said if the future of the missiles was agreed he could go to Turkey and possibly receive a positive answer from Ankara before next April’s elections there.
But Miller warned there was no possibility of substantive efforts on any front before the Turkish elections.
Judith Baroody, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy and Director of the American Centre, told the Cyprus News Agency earlier yesterday that Miller’s visit was “part of a general trip to the region.”
“Miller’s consultations with Dame Ann underscore the strong US support for the Hercus shuttle talks and the US’ continuing close co-ordination with the UN in its efforts to achieve a reduction of tension on Cyprus and progress towards a lasting settlement,” she added.
After he leaves the island later today Miller will join US
Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke in Istanbul to take part in a meeting of the bi-communal Brussels business group on Sunday and Monday.
Holbrooke and Miller will then travel to Athens on December 14 to meet with senior Greek officials. Holbrooke will return to the US on December 15.
“Ambassador Holbrooke has no plans to travel to Cyprus,” Baroody said in response to conflicting reports that the top US trouble-shooter might be due here next week.
