Cyprus plays with fire

In ordering missiles from Russia, the Cyprus government is playing with fire. It claims the weapons are defensive, and it is probably not foolish enough to attack Turkish occupying forces in northern Cyprus, which outnumber the Greek Cypriot National guard. But it is not much less foolish to believe the security of Greek Cypriots in the remaining three-fifths of the island can be improved by engaging in an arms race.

Turkey has gathered the Turkish Cypriot population in an easily defensible zone large enough for their needs. It has no motive for expanding that zone or renewing hostilities unless the Greek Cypriots appear to pose a military threat. The latter should realize they have no interest in appearing to challenge Turkey's military superiority on the island, unless they think they can recover the north by force.

What is President Glafcos Clerides up to? The most plausible answer is that he has engaged in deliberate brinkmanship, hoping to frighten the international community into putting more effective pressure on Turkey to expedite a political settlement. That is irresponsible, because it involves taking a terrible risk for a very uncertain gain.

-- Financial Times, London