Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-08-22

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Saturday, August 22, 1998

Edek seeks apology over Vidzilaios

MOST front pages were dominated yesterday by the row over President Clerides's refusal to apologise for allowing the coupist Vidzilaios to enter Cyprus last month.

Phileleftheros focused on the reaction of Edek, reporting that Clerides's comments when he returned to Cyprus on Thursday after a two-week holiday failed to dampen the socialist party's anger.

Edek has set a deadline for the president to apologise publicly for allowing Vidzilaios to enter Cyprus. If Clerides fails to do so, Edek will consider terminating its partnership in his government, the paper said. Edek leader Vassos Lyssarides has accused Clerides of lacking the "political courage" to admit his error.

Under the title "Clerides considers Edek's sensitivities", _Alithia _offered a different interpretation of Clerides's comments on the Vidzilaios affair. Quoting "reliable" government sources, it said the president was fully aware of public feeling against the coupists, but believed there was no need to apologise because he had approved Vidzilaios's entry on humanitarian grounds -- so that he could help resolve the will of a deceased friend.

Haravghi dismissed the humanitarian reading of the president's stance as "questionable" and said his failure to apologise was a further goading of the people of Cyprus.

Simerini led with Thursday's US air strike against Sudan and Afghanistan. It insisted the bombings were a ploy by US President Bill Clinton to divert attention from the Lewinsky sex scandal. "The attack occurred at precisely the same time Monica Lewinsky was giving additional testimony to independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr," it said.

Machi said US envoy to Cyprus Thomas Miller made "outrageous" offers to Turkey during his recent visit to Ankara. He allegedly proposed that, in exchange for a halt to Cyprus's EU accession process, Turkey accept a moratorium on military flights over the island.

The proposed alternative, the paper said, was that the Denktash regime should withdraw its insistence on international recognition as a pre- condition for restarting intercommunal talks. In return, Washington would seek a "postponement" of Cyprus's EU accession bid.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article