TURKEY yesterday increased its threats against the Cypriot government's plan to deploy long range missiles in Cyprus, warning of both military and political reprisals.
"It is out of the question for these missiles to be deployed," the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ms Tansu Ciller, said, despite a US call for Ankara to refrain from threats to attack.
Turkey "will not remain idle and allow the island to be transformed into a powder keg", she said, adding that her country would "do what is necessary, even if that means strikes".
Mr Rauf Denktash, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Ankara, threatened to send settlers into the deserted Greek Cypriot coastal resort of Varosha.
The US State Department warned Turkey on Thursday to stop threatening military action if the Greek Cypriots go ahead with the deployment of the Russian S-300 missiles. "It would be completely out of bounds for Turkey to take this action," Mr Nicholas Burns said. "There is no reason for the Turkish government to threaten anybody."
Greece, which has a mutual defence pact with Cyprus, yesterday welcomed the US criticism as "positive".
Ms Ciller said Turkey had protested to Russia over the missile deal with Cyprus. The contract was announced last Saturday, but the missiles are not expected to arrive for up to eight months.