"Cyprus Defense Minister Yiannakis Omirou warned Monday that the case of two "Israelis" detained on suspicion of spying could have a serious impact on relations as officials ruled out any possibility of a negotiated release. "If they are proven to be agents of ("Israel's" foreign intelligence service) the Mossad, then there is a certainty that there will be consequences for relations between the two countries," Omirou said in an interview with Cyprus public radio from Athens. "Certainly this is something which worries us especially in the context of the "Israeli"-Turkish military alliance which provides for the exchange of intelligence between the general staffs of the two countries," he said. Greek-Cypriot politicians have expressed great concern about a series of military cooperation agreements "Israel" has signed since February 1996 with Turkey, which controls the north of the divided east Mediterranean island. The leader of Omirou's EDEK socialist party, Vassos Lyssarides, a prominent hawk behind the government, was more direct in his accusations against the Jewish state".

"I believe this is a spying case -- what else could it be for heaven's sake -- and that those for whom the "Israeli" agents were working was certainly "Israel" and as a consequence Turkey," he told reporters. Udi Argov, 37, and Igal Damari, 49, were arrested after a midnight raid Friday on a flat in the village of Zygi on the south coast of Cyprus. They were remanded in custody for eight days on Saturday on suspicion of spying against the country's National Guard. Cypriot officials ruled out the possibility of a negotiated release for the two men as promised by "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend. "The position is that the file must be completed and I don't think that the police have the possibility in this case of releasing anybody without instructions from the proper authorities that is (myself)," said Attorney General Alecos Markides. Omirou vowed that "in no circumstances will political considerations be taken into account. "And Justice Minister Nicos Koshis denied that "Israel" had even made any representations for the men's release."

"No-one has said they should be released and none has come to the ministry to intervene on their behalf because there is justice in Cyprus and there is an investigation," he said. "We have equipment of new technology and the law will take its course and if they are guilty then there is a due legal process." The "Israeli" prime minister had promised to secure the men's release and the Hebrew press reported that "Israeli" Attorney General Eliyakim Rubinstein was personally directing diplomatic efforts. "Every "Israeli" citizen is important to us. We will look into this and will certainly bring them home," Netanyahu said. The comments sparked anger in Cyprus with the island's second largest party describing them as "provocative and unacceptable." "They are an indication of the mentality which characterizes the "Israeli" government," said the communist party AKEL which regularly wins 33 percent of the vote and holds 19 seats in the 56-member parliament.