Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-11-15

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

Saturday, November 15, 1997

Peace efforts move to Brussels

US ENVOY Richard Holbrooke's efforts to find a way of allowing the Turkish Cypriots to participate in Cyprus's EU accession talks was one of the lead stories in all of yesterday's papers.

Alithia, quoting government spokesman Manolis Christofides, said Holbrooke was searching for a formula to ensure the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the accession talks. The US had no intention of promoting Turkish Cypriot participation in a way that would challenge the legal status of the Cyprus Republic.

Christofides was quoted as saying that, irrespective of statements made by the Turkish side, the US would never pursue the "equal participation" of the Turkish Cypriots in the talks.

Phileleftheros, in a report from Brussels, said Holbrooke's diplomatic contacts were focused on the participation of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey's EU relations.

Most diplomatic efforts were directed at Greece. Athens was being asked to agree to the inclusion of Turkey in the permanent European Conference, in which all applicant countries were participating. It was for this reason that Holbrooke met Greece's deputy foreign minister.

Haravghi led with a report on the press conference given by Akel presidential candidate George Iacovou. It said: "In a convincing tone, modernising spirit and with well-documented positions on all aspects of the Cyprus problem and domestic policies, Iacovou presented a comprehensive programme to the people".

The paper said Iacovou would lead Cyprus into the 21st century. His central slogan is "New breath, new course, new society".

Machi saw Iacovou's presentation differently. It said the Akel candidate was "subdued, evasive on many questions and long-winded in his replies in order to take up time". He showed that he would be unable to attract wide support, it concluded.

It led with Iacovou's comment at the press conference that if elected he would scrap the dogma of the Unified Defence Area and transform it into a "defensive policy with Greece".

Simerini said Diko leader Spyros Kyprianou had called for the removal from his post of Interior Ministry permanent secretary, Thanos Michael. Akel and the United Democrats agreed that Michael's comments on the departure of minister Dinos Michaelides were inappropriate.

Michael had said Michaelides had shown courage in refusing to leave the ministry when ordered to do so by Kyprianou. The paper said the parties felt Michael should not have taken a political stand, especially as he would be the public servant in charge of the February elections.

Agon said that President Clerides's candidacy in the 1998 elections was not negotiable.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1997

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