NICOSIA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus' main opposition party, the left-wing Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), launched a scathing attack on the government over its foreign policy on Wednesday.
AKEL accused the Cypriot government of "having tied Cyprus for good behind the U.S. chariot", after the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved a bill defining Washington's strategy in the eastern Mediterranean.
The bipartisan legislation contains a clause lifting an embargo on the sale of U.S. weaponry to Cyprus, which was imposed after a 1974 military action by Turkey against Cyprus in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece.
But the bill makes the lifting of the embargo conditional on Cyprus taking the steps necessary to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing, and on continuing cooperation with the United States in efforts to implement reforms on anti-money laundering regulations.
A similar bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Regrettably, these provisions justify AKEL's assessments that the bill turns our country into a field of international confrontation and puts at risk the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with other countries," party spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said.
"It is evident that these amendments have tied Cyprus for good behind the United States chariot and relations with Russia are very seriously threatened," Stefanou said.
He said the government "has hidden many things it has agreed with the United States behind closed doors".
Stefanou called on the government of Cyprus to give explanations, saying that it has a duty to tell the people and the parties the truth on the issue.
The government has not reacted to the accusations.
The U.S. legislation also contains other provisions related to Cyprus, as it provides that the United States can support trilateral cooperation agreements Cyprus and Greece have stuck with Israel, Egypt and Jordan, and most recently with Armenia.
Up to now, Cyprus has pursued an open policy on allowing military ships from any country, including Russia and the United States, to use its ports for refueling and recreation of crews.
The country also maintains close political, economic and trade relations with Russia.
