Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] US to do its best for Cyprus' reunification, says Burns

[02] DISY launches campaign for Clerides re-election

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[01] US to do its best for Cyprus' reunification, says Burns

Speaking at a Washington conference Saturday, organised by the American Hellenic Institute, Burns said Cyprus must be soon a reunited island and pledged that the US will try its best for this to be achieved.

The conference titled "Greece's pivotal role in World War II and in the early days of the Cold War" discussed the role of Greece during these periods.

In his speech during a lunch, Ambassador Burns emphasised on the strong ties connecting the US and Greece.

Once more, Burns criticised the US support towards the military Junta's dictatorship in Greece from 1967 through 1974.

The US Ambassador to Greece had earlier this month criticised this support during the official ceremony for assuming office.

He said Greece, the birth place of democracy, is important for the US interests and expressed his country's concern about the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as its support to the leadership role of Greece in the Balkans.

The US diplomat praised the Greek government about its efforts to modernise the country and improve Greece's economy.

The conference was very successful and among participants were many distinguished members of the academic community, businessmen and former US officials who had served in Greece during the period covered by the conference.

CNA DA/AP/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] DISY launches campaign for Clerides re-election

Thousands of DISY members, activists and friends gathered Sunday morning at the Nicosia International Conference Center to signal their party's campaign for the February 1998 presidential elections.

Addressing the all Cyprus DISY meeting President Clerides said he would be happy to withdraw from politics and leave others to assume office, but noted he feels that his candidacy would be necessary in reaching a Cyprus solution.

He said the momentum created for finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and for Cyprus' entry into the European Union had led him to the decision to seek re-election.

He expressed the conviction that the people of Cyprus will honour him once again and elect him as President of the Republic.

Clerides said during his term in office "we increased international interest towards a Cyprus solution, making it clear to everyone that Turkey and Denktash are to be blamed for the lack of progress."

He said the message was passed to the international community that the Cyprus problem was not a "dormant volcano but one ready to erupt" threatening the stability in the region.

Earlier this month President Clerides had announced his decision to seek re-election for a second five-year term at the end of a press conference for the achievements of his government in the past five years.

Opening the ceremony, DISY's Deputy President, Panayiotis Demetriou, expressed the conviction that Clerides will be re-elected as he has been "successful" and the only politician who could secure a Cyprus a solution.

He said Clerides' candidature was a "national" one, being supported by independent personalities and the majority of people.

DISY leader Nicos Anastasiades expressed the party's gratitude to everyone who successfully backed Clerides election in February 1993, urging them to do so once again.

Clerides, 78, was elected President of the Republic in February 1993, after two rounds of elections.

He was elected after DISY he founded in May 1976 formed an alliance with the centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO) led by former Cyprus President Spyros Kyprianou and the Liberal party of former Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis.

Clerides received 50,28 per cent of the vote (178.858 votes) and his rival George Vassiliou 49,72 per cent (176.870 votes). Vassiliou served as President from 1978 to 1993.

Anastasiades praised the achievements of the DISY-DIKO coalition government, describing its five-year term as the "era of a social state", and expressed the conviction that DIKO ministers would "be in Clerides' new cabinet."

DIKO leader, current President of the House of Representatives, is one of the six personalities, who have already announced their decision to seek election.

The other four are former Foreign Minister George Iacovou, who will run as an independent candidate supported by opposition left-wing AKEL, former House President Vassos Lyssarides, leader of the Socialist EDEK, former President George Vassiliou, leader of the United Democrats, and former Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis, leader of the Liberal Party.

Clerides studied law in England and was elected the first President of the House of Representatives, in 1960, a post he kept until July 1976.

CNA AP/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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