Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-10-22

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Wednesday, October 22, 1997

Diko set to end coalition

THE decision by the executive committee of co-governing party Diko to suggest to the central committee that they quit the coalition with Disy was the most widely covered news story on the front pages of yesterday's Greek newspapers.

Phileleftheros says that Diko's central committee will vote on the proposal in early November, something that enables Disy officials to make the necessary moves to secure the launch of a fresh partnership.

The paper says that some officials are having thoughts about proposing an alternative candidate who would draw the support of Disy, Diko and other members of the electorate.

Reporting on the almost certain split of the coalition Simerini says that following Diko's decision opposition parties are expected to intensify their contacts with the party in order to strike a deal for the February presidential elections.

The paper says that the main concern of Disy officials for the time being is to find the right persons to fill the positions of Diko-backed ministers in the Clerides administration who will quit their post once the split is made official.

Alithia says that while Diko has strongly put forward its intention to quit the coalition its has not `burned the bridges' linking it to a possible new deal with Disy.

It says that both President Clerides and Disy leader Nicos Anastasiades reacted very cooly to Diko's announcement, in the hope that the coalition can be renewed.

Agon says that President Clerides, commenting on Diko's decision said that it is the democratic right of Diko president Spyros Kyprianou and his party to end the coalition.

Clerides said that he will announce his decision about whether he will be a candidate for the presidential elections during the first days of November.

Machi says that Kyprianou is not ruling out a partnership deal with Disy in the second round of the elections. But the paper says that he has also now given the green light to other parties to approach Diko with proposals for a coalition.

The paper says that, commenting on the government spokesman's comments that it will be news if Glafkos Clerides does not stand for a second term, the President said that the spokesman might be surprised by his decision.

Haravghi says that the Diko ministers of the Clerides administration have made it clear that they will abide by the party's decisions.

The paper says that all Monday morning Disy officials were in consultation with President Clerides in an attempt to defuse the crisis and avoid a clash with their co-governing partner.

© Copyright 1997 Cyprus Mail

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