This statement was considered by observers as a clear referrence to Greek-Turkish relations. Cyprus military overflights Greece and Cyprus yesterday stressed that there are no negotiations and no agreements on a possible moratorium concerning the flights of warplanes over the island republic. He made the statement when replying to press questions on a reported proposal for an eight-month moratorium proposed by Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides to US State Department official Carey Cavanaugh on the condition that progress was made in political negotiations for settlement of the Cyprus problem. No agreement on ban, Clerides says President Clerides has indicated he would not commit himself at this stage to a ban on flights of Greek military aircraft over Cyprus. The president has also made it clear that the joint defence doctrine with Greece will continue to be to be strengthened and noted that plans for the construction of an air base in Cyprus would go ahead.
Farmers reject govt.
Earlier yesterday, farmers' groups rejected a package of measures put together by Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, saying that they would continue their protests and hold out for a meeting with the prime minister who was expected to make a statement today, after a session of the inner cabinet, which will deal exclusively with the issue. In a related development, a Thessaloniki public prosecutor has filed a lawsuit against anyone responsible for obstructing traffic, as much of Macedonia remained blockaded, particularly around the city, whose airport could only be reached with difficult y. Access to roads leading to Athens and central and western Macedonia was difficult to impossible. The air force chief described the S-300 as effective, and stressed that Greece will have to choose between this and the Patriot system in the next few months. The new system will cover Greece's needs for the next 20 or 30 years, he added.