EXPERTS OPPOSE DEMINING EFFORT IN CYPRUS

NICOSIA [MENL] -- A government proposal to remove the nearly 20,000 minesbetween Greek Cypriot and Turkish forces has been termed as dangerous to thedefense of the Republic of Cyprus. The proposal by the Greek Cypriot government, experts said, would removea key element in the republic's deterrence in face of 35,000 Turkish troops.They said the republic -- amid reconciliation talks -- is already vastlyinferior in military capability to that of the breakaway Turkish Republic ofNorthern Cyprus.