Cyprus airbase raises tension between Turks and Greeks

The completion of a military airbase at Paphos in the west of Cyprus has fuelled the confrontation between Greeks and Turks on the island.

The base is reported to be able to house six Greek fighters but could serve as a refuelling and rearming point for many more, enabling them to threaten the southern Turkish coast in the event of a conflict with Turkey in the Aegean. The base will be defended by Russian SA-300 missiles.

Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, said: "The planes which take off from Paphos airbase will not be able to find a place to land; their wings will be broken."

Turkey reacted angrily. In a statement it said: "Turkey will continue to take the necessary measures against any threat to the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as well as its own soil."

The government of Cyprus was eager to stress the purpose of the base was purely defensive. George Charalambides, the Defence Minister, said it "will be used only in incidents where Cyprus suffers an attack".