Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-11-07

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

Saturday, November 7, 1998

Countdown has begun for Michaelides

THE ONE common story to catch the attention of all of yesterday's papers was the House Watchdog Committee's investigation into Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides. Michaelides will be called to defend himself on allegations that he amassed wealth in a dishonourable way.

Haravghi believes that "the countdown has begun for Dinos Michaelides." The paper continued that initial allegations by committee chairman Christos Pourgourides appear to have been proved correct. Auditor-general Spyros Christou has prepared a report on Michaelides' financial status and dealings. Haravghi quotes Pourgourides as saying that "the report says crushing and depressing things about the Cypriot Republic."

The left-wing paper's lead headline, however, was devoted to opposition deputies' condemnation of Junta collaborator Vasilis Vintzilaiou having been allowed onto the island earlier this year. Vintzilaiou had been on the stop-list for his part in the 1974 coup, but received entry permission from President Glafcos Clerides.

Simerini says the fuss being raised over Vintzilaiou is a smoke-screen to cover up the fact that left-wing parties are being funded by an associate of the Junta man. The paper documented the allegations flying between left and right-wing politicians at a House of Representatives meeting on Thursday. Disy president Nicos Anastassiades said that he had information on funding to Akel from a source that the left-wing party would not usually associate itself with. Anastassiades went on to say that he would give this information directly to Akel secretary-general Demetris Christofias and not to the media, as others might have done.

Phileleftheros focused on Ankara "thawing relations with the EU". It was reported that Athens saw Turkey's stance as positive, though Greek officials were not yet in a position to calculate the possible effects this might have on Greco-Turkish relations.

Alithia says "The EU satisfied everyone with their report on aspirant member countries." The paper went on to say that the EU "attained the impossible in a difficult and discouraging period in Greco-Turkish relations".

Machi headlined the allegedly improper supply of pethidine at the Limassol General Hospital. The paper reported that the police were going to carry out an in-depth investigation, while Health Minister Christos Solomis "is trying to lower the tone by calling the issue humanitarian".

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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