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CNS Resources on the Missile Crisis over CyprusNext page: 1998 Chronology.
Cyprus, the S-300PMU-1 Missile System, and Regional Security:An Annotated Chronology, 1997[1]1997 January 1/5 Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides confirms that Cyprus has signed an agreement with the Russian firm Rosvoorouzhenie to purchase the S-300PMU-1 surface-to-air theater missile defense system. The value of the deal is estimated at $400-600 million although it is not clear how many S-300PMU-1 batteries or launchers are included in the contract. The S-300PMU-1 system is capable of intercepting and destroying aircraft at ranges of up to 150km, and incoming missiles at up to 40km. The Cyprus government says the S-300PMU-1 is a defensive system and will pose a threat only to Turkish military aircraft that violate Cypriot airspace. Cyprus President Glavkos Clerides says that Turkeys rejection of his proposal to demilitarize the island leaves Cyprus no choice but to purchase the S-300PMU-1 to counter the military superiority of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 1/5 Turkish Defense Minister Turhan Tayan says the S-300PMU-1 deal would "undermine peace in the region." Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan also threatens military action to block the missiles deployment, saying "if necessary, the Turkish armed forces will do their duty." Turkish President Suleyman Demirel declares that, "Turkey will not allow any threats against the Turkish Cypriot community or against Turkey." 1/5 Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, says that Greece is "ready to assist and defend Cyprus." He also said that any aggressive Turkish action would be met by an immediate military response from Greece. 1/11 The Washington Times reports that Turkey has threatened a pre-emptive strike if Cyprus proceeds with the S-300PMU-1 contract. 1/13 After meeting with Cypriot President Glavkos Clerides, US State Department official Carey Cavanaugh announces that he has received assurances from Clerides that the S-300PMU-1 system will not be deployed on Cyprus for at least 16 months. 1/16 Russian officials protest Turkish threats to prevent the S-300PMU-1 delivery to Cyprus. They say that Western opposition to the sale is an attempt to keep Russia out of the regional arms market. 1/28 Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, Georgy Muratov, says that Russia will proceed with the delivery of the S-300PMU-1 system unless the island is demilitarized. February 2/9 Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai denies Cypriot press reports that Israel is supplying Turkey with intelligence information to help impede delivery of the S-300PMU-1. April 4/18 The European Union (EU) announces that it will begin membership negotiations with Cyprus. June 6/22 Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidhis says that the S-300PMU-1 will not arrive until 7/98 at the earliest. He says this provides adequate time to negotiate the re-unification of Cyprus. 6/25 Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov states that contracts for the S-300PMU-1 deal "have been signed and the missiles will be shipped. There will be no retreat." August 8/4 Turkeys Foreign Affairs Minister Ismail Cem and Turkish Cypriot Foreign Affairs Minister Atay Rasit endorse an agreement to integrate the economies and armed forces of the two governments. 8/15 United Nations-mediated talks between Cypriot President Glavkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas conclude without making significant progress. 8/26 The Turkish coast guard halts and searches an Egyptian ship in the Marmara Sea reportedly carrying parts for the S-300PMU-1, but none are found. September 9/4 After searching four Russian and Egyptian vessels suspected of carrying the S-300PMU-1 to Cyprus, Turkish authorities warn that "ships carrying missiles to hostile countries will be regarded as a cause of war." Turkey has reportedly received satellite intelligence from the United States regarding ships suspected of transporting the S-300PMU-1. 9/12 Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas says that war will erupt if the European Union begins negotiations for Cyprus full membership in the EU. 9/17 In reference to the S-300PMU-1 deployment, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz says that the Turkish military general staff has been ordered to make "all possible military plans, including the last resort option of striking at the missiles." He also says that "Turkey may resort to every measure to ensure its security." 9/26 The Turkish newspaper Milliyet publishes a report from Turkish intelligence sources alleging that Greece has paid a $150 million installment on Cyprus S-300PMU-1 system, by diverting money provided by the United Nations Housing Fund. October 10/1 Janes Defence Weekly reports that Turkey plans to establish an air-defense system in Northern Cyprus in response to the expected deployment of S-300PMU-1. 10/6-12 Russian and Turkish officials reveal that they have been discussing the possibility of Turkey purchasing the S-300PMU-1 system, but say that no agreement has been reached. 10/9 During an interview on Cyprus television, Russian Ambassador to Cyrus Georgy Muratov says that any attack by Turkey on Russian vessels delivering the S-300PMU-1 to Cyprus will be deemed grounds for war. 10/9 The US Department of Defense (DoD) announces the sale of 138 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 129 ALU-129A/A launchers to Turkey for $62 million. The missiles will be used to enhance the defensive capabilities of Turkish F-16 fighter aircraft. The DoD also announces the sale of 20 RGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missiles to Greece for $35 million along with 90 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for $42 million. The DoD states that the sales are intended to strengthen NATOs southern flank, and will not affect the military balance in the region or relations between Greece and Turkey. 10/13 Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin says that if S-300PMU-1 missiles are deployed on Cyprus, Turkey will acquire "modern weapons to strike at the missiles." 10/13 During a visit to the island, US Special Representative to Cyprus Ambassador Richard Holbrooke calls for an "indefinite ban on military flights over Cyprus." Turkish officials respond by saying that Turkey would not agree to the ban, and that they are not prepared to make concessions to prevent the deployment of the S-300PMU-1 missiles. 10/22 Greek Deputy National Defense Minister Dhimitrios Apostolakis says that if ships transporting the Russian S-300PMU-1 missiles to Cyprus are attacked, or if Turkey occupies a Greek island, Greece will react at any cost. 10/23 In a prepared statement delivered at Istanbul airport, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas says that negotiations for Cyprus entry into the European Union are more dangerous than Cyprus' acquisition of the S-300PMU-1 missile system. 10/31 The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports that Russia has decided not to sell the S-300PMU-1 missile system to Greece, but will still sell them to Cyprus. November 11/5 On the final day of their Toros military exercise, Turkish aircraft and commandos destroy mock S-300PMU-1 sites on Cyprus. Turkish naval forces conduct a mock invasion of the island, using a landing craft previously used in their 1974 invasion of the island.
11/11 The US Department of Defense announces the sale of 30 Army Tactical Missiles (ATACMS) and associated parts and logistical support to Greece for an estimated $31 million. The sale complements a previous sale of 41 ATACMS approved in July 1996. According to the announcement, the sale "will not adversely affect either the military balance in the region or US efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question." December 12/19 Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Gennadiy Tarasov denies reports that Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov said Russia would halt the S-300PMU-1 sale to Cyprus in return for financial compensation. 12/23 Turkish Minister of National Defense Ismet Sezgin says Turkey will discontinue arms purchases from Russia if it proceeds with delivery of the S-300PMU-1 system to Cyprus.
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