Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-10-14

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

Wednesday, October 14, 1998

Damning evidence against the Bishop

MOST papers carried previews of the Holy Synod's meeting, scheduled for yesterday, to discuss what to do about the Bishop of Limassol Chrysanthos, after the investigative report on his dealings by a special Synod-appointed committee.

Simerini said that the investigative committee in its general observations had identified 15 points which were damning to Chrysanthos, also noting that he had refused to provide copies of documents requested by the committee.

Some of the points included were: that he co-operated with people of questionable reputation; that he had foreign bank accounts without permission from the Central Bank; had personal shareholding in foreign companies; had used the Bishopric's documents and seal for personal business transactions; was involved in the transfer of large amounts of cash which may have been part of a money laundering exercise.

Phileleftheros claimed that new information that allegedly implicated the Bishop in serious crime had been received by the investigative committee which had passed it on to Attorney-general. The information was not included in the committee's report.

Despite Chrysanthos' refusal to resign, the Archbishopric was said to be in talks with the government about the issue. It has asked whether the authorities' investigations into Chrysanthos' activities would be closed if he resigned. The Attorney-general, however, is determined to press ahead with the investigations.

Machi reported that the Holy Synod was to advise the Bishop to resign. If he refused to do so, the Synod would suspend him until the completion of the police investigations, it said. The Bishop said that the committee's report contained no practical proof of any wrongdoing.

Haravghi reported that the intentions of UN deputy special representative Ann Hercus regarding the proximity talks remained unclear. According to reliable information, Hercus' effort would focus on securing the cancellation of the missile deployment.

It said Hercus had the full backing of the US and Britain in the pursuit of this objective. The government spokesman said he had not been briefed on the matter.

Alithia led with a story about US envoy Richard Holbrooke's effort to broker a deal with Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic over Kosovo. It said that there was a glimmer of hope that Nato air strikes would be prevented.

While Nato was keeping up the pressure on Milosevic, Holbrooke was due back in Belgrade to continue his negotiations, it said.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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