Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-10-31

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

Saturday, October 31, 1998

'Junta member cheques scandal'

FORMER Greek junta member Vassilis Venizelou featured in every paper yesterday. His visit in July caused a scandal as many consider him to be a criminal for his part in the 1967 coup in Greece which is often blamed for the subsequent Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Clerides and other government figures gave permission for him to enter Cyprus despite being on the stop-list. The latest scandal is that cheques funding left-wing political parties, Venizelou's most staunch opponents, were authorised by the man himself.

The papers are divided in their portrayal of the issue, depending on their political viewpoint.

Communist Haravghi recalls Venizelou's visit and accuses right wing Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades of bringing up the issue of the cheques to divert the public's attention from the implications of the visit.

Simerini focuses on "Confusion and questions on the price of the S-300s." It questions conflicting comments by Anastassiades, deputy president of the House defence Committee Antonis Karas and Committee member Doros Christodoulides.

Right-wing Machi calls the Venizelou issue a "Boomerang for Akel" after Anastassiades revealed the existence of cheques allegedly signed by Venizelou. The paper also questions whether the police have human rights after the outcry on the apparent excessive violence used against the illegal immigrants being held in Larnaca.

Alithia continues in 'scandalous cheques' vein, saying that the cheques were signed by Venizelou's associate. Attention was also given to EU accession talks with Greek government spokesman saying: "Accession is a matter of time, now."

Phileleftheros focuses on a wide range of stories.

It reports church opinions that investigations into allegations against Bishop Chrysanthos of Limassol are being dragged out unnecessarily. But it places most emphasis on the S-300 missiles, with comments from Russian ambassador Georgy Muratov denying that there are any problems in the process. Reports to the contrary, Phileleftheros quotes him as saying, are simply attempts to undermine the "clear and honest relationship between the two countries".

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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