US pull back may add to militarisation

THE cancellation of the visit by the US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Richard Holbrooke to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, due to have begun today, and the indefinite postponement of Washington's "big push" towards a Cyprus settlement could escalate the arms race on the island.

Last December the UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, said Ankara had made the northern third of the island "one of the most highly militarised areas in the world" by deploying additional tanks and other equipment. Meanwhile the Greek Cypriots had purchased new tanks and armoured vehicles and strengthened their defence pact with Athens.

That such a build up could easily produce hostilities was demonstrated by last week's mini crisis between Greece and Turkey. Aware that a provocative move could lead to a Turkish military response, the Greek Cypriots called a partial alert during the tense stand off. Ankara, however, continued to reinforce its armoured divisions, prompting the Greek Cypriots to lodge a protest with the Security Council.

Last month the European Union presidency, represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, was given a polite brush off by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, on the ground that there was no "equality between the motherlands" of the island's ethnic communities because Greece was an EU member while Turkey was not.

It remains to be seen how Mr Denktash will receive the EU presidency co ordinator, Mr Frederico di Roberto.