Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-12-10

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

Wednesday, December 10, 1997

Markides still undecided on candidacy

SPECULATION was ripe again yesterday in the Greek press as to whether Attorney-general Alecos Markides will stand as a candidate in next year's presidential elections.

Phileleftheros reports that Markides is not expected to make a final decision before meeting President Clerides once more to discuss the latest developments.

The paper says Markides is expected to reach a final decision in the next three days.

According to the paper, even Edek members have been approached to offer their views on a possible Markides candidacy.

Simerini says President Clerides has asked Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades to tone down his party criticism of Alecos Markides.

The paper says that a meeting between Clerides and Markides is still to be arranged. The president is leaving for the EU summit in Luxembourg tomorrow.

Alithia, in a front-page story, says Disy was expected to reject formally yesterday Diko's proposal that both parties back Markides in the elections.

On another issue, the paper says that British Prime Minister Tony Blair, during his meeting yesterday with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz, would make it clear that a solution of the Cyprus problem is a pre- condition for an upgrading of Turkey's of relations with the EU.

A member of the British Foreign Office said Turkey should not attempt to obstruct Cyprus's efforts to join the EU.

Agon says the National Guard intends to buy new Russian-made T80 tanks.

The paper says the new tanks are much more advanced than those the National Guard now has.

It says the new tanks will be bought for the same price as the older ones.

Machi says Clerides has rejected a request by Alecos Markides for a meeting.

According to the paper, Anastassiades informed Clerides of Markides's request but the President rejected the request.

The paper says that people close to Markides believe he will probably not stand for President, having failed to secure the backing of Disy and Edek.

Haravghi says Disy is trying to silence any critics within its ranks.

The paper says that people who have offered alternative views on the handling of the election issues, such as MP Demetris Syllouris, are being 'terrorised' in an attempt to silence them.

Syllouris had said that the party should not reject outright all proposals which do not envisage Clerides as Disy's candidate for the elections.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1997

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