By Martin Hellicar
RUSSIA’S Ambassador to Nicosia Georgi Muratov yesterday took his turn to beat off international criticism of his country’s controversial deal to sell S-300 missiles to Cyprus.
“Such pressures are a violation of the sovereign right of Russia and the Cyprus Republic to develop relations in any sector, including military co- operation,” Muratov said after a morning meeting with President Clerides.
On Monday, Clerides issued a statement vowing the government would not bow to “threats and blackmail” concerning the missiles.
Turkish officials have been busy repeating threats that deployment of the Russian-made ground-to-air missiles could mean war, while international opposition to the deal has been mounting.
Muratov described such objections as “incomprehensible” and “totally against the rules of international justice.”
“I want to say that we predicted there could be reactions (to the missile deal), we know how to stop these, but,” he added, “we also say that no country with status or self-respect could bow to pressures.”
The government remains adamant the £200 million ground-to-air missiles will arrive unless there is significant progress towards a settlement or a demilitarisation deal, but has put back delivery till October.
Muratov reconfirmed the deal was still on. But opposition to remains as strong as ever.
The Reuters news agency yesterday quoted a US official in Manila as saying Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had reiterated US concerns about the deployment of the S-300s.
“The seriousness of the situation is recognised by everybody, but they haven’t identified a way out yet,” the official said.
Back in Nicosia, Muratov dismissed suggestions the missiles’ radar system could pose a security risk for Nato. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stated on Sunday the radar system could be used to gather information on Turkish and Nato military activity for Cyprus and Russia.
“We have a special agreement with Nato for deep, wide co-operation and I do not know of any Nato involvement on this issue,” Muratov said.
Later in the day, Government spokesman Christos Stylianides dismissed reports the Greek government was unhappy with the pressure it was being put under because of the missile deal.
He revealed that the decision to order the missiles had been taken jointly by Nicosia and Athens.
“It was a joint decision, as part of the Common Defence Dogma,” Stylianides told his daily press briefing.
“The greek government is totally in agreement with the position of the Cyprus government. The decision to buy the S-300s is supported totally by both Greece and Cyprus.”
