Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-20

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman indirectly announces Clerides' candidacy

[02] S-300s purchase not cancelled, says Clerides

1650:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman indirectly announces Clerides' candidacy

"It will make news if President Clerides will not be a candidate for the presidential elections," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides told his daily press briefing Monday.

He said everybody should respect the President's wish to personally announce his final decision on the issue later this month, after completion of his scheduled commitments on the Cyprus problem.

President Clerides leaves later today for Edinburgh, via London, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to be held from October 24 to 27.

Clerides, founder of ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party, was elected President in February 1993 with the support of the Democratic Party (DIKO) which maintains five ministers in his cabinet.

His partner in current coalition government, DIKO President, also President of the House of Representatives and former President of the Republic (1977-1988), Spyros Kyprianou, yesterday expressed dissatisfaction with Clerides' delay in announcing his decision.

Kyprianou, who had a meeting this morning with President Clerides, reiterated his firm stance to be a candidate for February 1998 presidential elections.

A meeting of DIKO's Executive Office, which got underway a while ago, will look into the matter and examine issues regarding Kyprianou's campaign for the elections.

Earlier this month United Democrats' leader and former President of the Republic George Vassiliou officially announced his own candidature.

An independent candidature was also announced by George Iacovou, who served as Foreign Minister in both Kyprianou and Vassiliou governments. He is supported by main opposition left-wing AKEL party.

Socialist EDEK party leader, Vassos Lyssarides and Liberal party President Nicos Rolandis, who had served as Foreign Minister in the past, also announced their candidatures earlier this year.

CNA MM/AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] S-300s purchase not cancelled, says Clerides

Commenting on reports published in the American magazine "Military Procurement International" (MPI) and cited by the Greek service of BBC, Clerides said:

"The reports have categorically been dismissed by the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus."

He said that when the Ambassador was informed of the reports he described them as "mid-summer night's dream."

The magazine said: "The US has obtained agreement from President Boris Yeltsin to renounce the Russian contract for the sale of advanced S-300 surface-to-air missiles."

According to MPI sources, "the US threatened to reduce or cut off its substantial aid to Russia unless it agreed to terminate the contract."

Asked whether there is a possibility of a crisis in the Cyprus problem, President Clerides answered in the negative.

He said there is tension in Greco-Turkish relations, but added "it is too soon to say whether this could cause a crisis."

President Clerides was speaking on departure for London. Between October 24 and 27 he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He will return to Cyprus on Thursday, October 30.

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article