Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-06-13

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

Saturday, June 13, 1998

Priest 'adopts hermitic existence'

PANCRATIOS Meraklis, the cleric over whom riots were fought outside the Nicosia Archbishopric in March 1996, was back on the front pages yesterday.

Simerini reported that Meraklis, who Archbishop Chrysostomos suggested was a homosexual and who is rumoured to be an Aids patient, had been ostracised from the Morphou diocese. The Holy Synod had informed Meraklis he was to pack his bags and go, the paper said.

The cleric has reportedly decided to adopt a hermitic existence, taking refuge in a relative's home somewhere in the Skouriotissa forest.

Simerini also reported on the "revealing" dress the British High commissioner's daughter, Cordelia Madden, wore to welcome President Clerides as he arrived for the Queen's birthday celebration in Nicosia on Thursday night. Clerides was thoroughly embarrassed at the same event last year when Cordelia paraded in a see-through dress, the paper said. This time round, Clerides was prepared for the worst and kept his eyes firmly off the young lady as he shook her hand, the paper said. Embarrassment was thus avoided even though Cordelia out-did herself with a dress full of revealing holes, Simerini reported. A picture of Cordelia in the said dress shaking the President's hand accompanied the story.

Haravghi, mouthpiece of the communist Akel party, alleged a "plot" by right-wing Disy to get rid of Justice Minister Nicos Koshis.

The paper said a four-member team within the governing party, headed by Disy vice-chairman Panayiotis Dimitriou, was working behind the scenes to oust the popular minister. Koshis himself had confided in a close friend his concerns about the Dimitriou's "activities", Haravghi said. The replacement of police chief Panicos Hadjiloizou was only the "tip of the iceberg" of the Disy conspiracy. But Hadjiloizou was sticking to his guns and refusing to give up his post, the paper added.

Right-wing Machi begged to differ, however. The government was determined to oust Hadjiloizou, the paper said. It quoted government spokesman Christos Stylianides as backing up an earlier statement by Koshis that Hadjiloizou was to retire at the end of June. In line to succeed Hadjiloizou is the lawyer Andreas Angelides, the paper said.

Phileleftheros said unprecedented security measures are to be implemented for the upcoming visit of Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos.

Officers from all sections of the police force will be enlisted to protect Stephanopoulos and his entourage, which includes Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. Even police chemists will be drafted in to inspect the food being prepared for the Greek president in the kitchens of his chosen Nicosia hotel. Blood supplies of his group will be kept on hand to cover any eventuality and the riot squad will be out in force shadowing his every move, the paper said.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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