Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-12-03

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

Wednesday, December 3, 1997

Markides meets Clerides on elections

ALL Greek newspapers yesterday gave wide coverage to the meeting between President Clerides and Attorney-general Alecos Markides at the presidential palace.

Phileleftheros reports that the late afternoon meeting produced no results concerning Markides's intentions whether or not to confront Clerides in the February elections.

The paper says Markides tried to find out if Clerides is adamant about running for president.

Phileleftheros says Clerides made it clear that his candidacy is for real and that, barring unforeseen circumstances, his name will be on the February ballot.

Simerini says the picture is no clearer now following the presidential palace meeting.

It notes that both sides claimed the meeting was held to discuss government business and that it did not focus on the elections.

Diko's press spokesman said yesterday that the candidate the party is holding talks with will make his intentions clear in the next few days.

Alithia reports that the Clerides-Markides meeting was crucial as the president made it abundantly clear that under no circumstances will he withdraw his candidacy.

The paper says Markides again left everybody guessing as to what his intentions are regarding the elections.

Machi says that during their meeting Clerides asked Markides to declare openly what his intentions are.

The paper notes that the urgency of the meeting is indicated by the fact that it caused Clerides to delay his meeting with EU Commissioner Hans Van den Broek by 15 minutes.

Haravghi is the only paper to be positive that Markides has decided to stand for the presidency.

It notes that Markides has been under a lot of pressure from Clerides's aides and Disy sympathisers not to run against the president.

Agon says Markides did not make his intentions clear following Monday's meeting at the presidential palace.

The paper says that following the 90-minute meeting Markides said he would not comment on the issue.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1997

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