Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 99-03-19

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

Friday, March 19, 1999

Clerides looking for incorruptibles

THE RESIGNATION of Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides, triggered by the departure of the government spokesman a day earlier, completely dominated all of yesterday's front pages.

All the papers highlighted the fact that events had forced a cabinet reshuffle onto President Clerides and there was much speculation about the people being tipped to become ministers.

Politis reported that the Clerides was looking for "incorruptibles" to appoint as ministers. There were endless rounds of contacts and meetings at the Presidential Palace, as representatives of the parties participating in the government - Disy and the United Democrats - tried to persuade Clerides to make changes to his cabinet line-up.

Both parties had urged Clerides to appoint people of good reputation from all political backgrounds so that the government would have broader appeal. The paper tipped the Governor of the Central Bank Afxentis Afxentiou, Auditor Michalakis Zambellas and bankers Marios Clerides and Marios Ioannides as candidates for the Finance Minister's job.

Phileleftheros reported that Clerides was under pressure to set up a cabinet that had a wider support base in order to send out the message that there would be more co-operation and a concerted effort to clean up public life and give younger people a chance.

Clerides refused to commit himself, keeping his cards close to his chest and, as a result, speculation was raging. The paper said the following would stay in the government: Nicos Koshis (Justice), Yiannakis Cassoulides (foreign affairs), Costas Themistocleous (agriculture), Ouranios Ioannides (education) and Leontios Ierodiaconou (Communications). Christodoulos Christodoulou could be moved from the finance to the interior ministry.

Haravghi claimed that all the supports that had propped up Clerides were collapsing, one after the other, leaving the government without any public backing. It quoted Akel leader Demetris Christofias repeating this sentiment and claiming that the government had lost its mandate to govern.

The other two opposition parties, Diko and Edek, had also criticised the government for being unable to stay in touch with public feeling. Diko dismissed Disy's calls for a unity government as indicative of Clerides' resounding failure to set up a strong and effective government.

Simerini's front-page editorial was very critical of the Clerides government, which "has lost its trustworthiness and its control of things". It ridiculed the reshuffle, pointing out that, until two days ago, Clerides had flatly denied that he would carry out one, only to change his mind. "Now he will reshuffle his cabinet as there is an abundance of ministerial candidates on the 'market'."

It also criticised Clerides' mentality in boasting that "I can find a new spokesman today if wanted to." The leader concluded: "On 18 September 1998 he (Clerides) said: 'A time will come when no respectable person would accept a public post'. It seems that time has not arrived, even though it appears to be approaching."

Alithia was left with the thankless task of defending Clerides and his government's handling of the Michaelides issue. It praised the president for standing by his minister, and refusing to accept "wild allegations" as proof of guilt.

The two resignations had made a reshuffle necessary and the paper gave the following advice: "The public is not expecting the president to appoint people who are liked by or close to establishment circles... but to appoint personalities who have a wider acceptance because of their proven qualities and abilities..."

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999

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