President Canceling Missile Deployment

The president of Cyprus said he was canceling plans to deploy Russian-made missiles on the island nation in a reversal likely to reduce tensions with Turkey, which had threatened military action to block the deployment. President Glafcos Clerides’ decision was announced after a meeting of the Greek Cypriots’ policymaking National Council, made up of political party leaders. Other Greek Cypriot leaders have insisted that the S-300 antiaircraft missiles be deployed to counter Turkey’s defense of the Turkish Cypriot northern part of the divided island. The decision could affect the survival of Clerides’ government.