Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-11-26

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

Wednesday, November 26, 1997

Diko to continue election consultations

THE decision by Diko's central committee to postpone a decision on whom to back as candidate for the February presidential elections made front-page news in all of yesterday's papers.

Phileleftheros publishes information from unnamed Diko sources that the party is currently holding consultations with both Attorney-general Alecos Markides and former Disy leader Yiannakis Matsis to see if they would stand for president with Diko's backing.

The paper notes that while Diko's executive committee agreed party leader Spyros Kyprianou should continue the consultations, they didn't know who this 'mystery' third person is.

It is also reported that the party has ruled out backing either Glafkos Clerides or George Iacovou for the presidency.

Alithia is another paper which introduced the name of Yiannakis Matsis in Diko's consultation for a candidate outside the party ranks.

The paper says Kyprianou conferred with Matsis yesterday. It adds that according to unconfirmed information Markides has assured Diko he will announce his intention to run for president as soon as he returns from abroad.

Contrary to the above reports some party members have admitted that nothing definite has yet been decided regarding an independent candidate.

Simerini bases its report on information from Diko sources to say that consultations between the party and Alecos Markides are at a crucial stage. The sources were optimistic a deal could be reached as soon as the attorney-general returned from abroad.

According to Kyprianou, the party should reach a final decision by the middle of next week at the latest.

Agon says Kyprianou intends to propose to Disy that both parties back Alecos Markides in the February elections.

The paper says Disy is certain to reject such a proposal. The report goes on to add that Markides has made it clear that he will be a candidate only if he secures the support of both Disy and Diko.

Machi reports that Diko decisions on the elections seem to have been put on hold pending a clear answer from Markides.

The paper says Disy MPs Yiannakis Matsis, Demetris Syllouris and Christos Pourgourides are trying to persuade Markides to stand for president.

Machi also reports Diko's vice-president, Dinos Michaelides, as saying that if Kyprianou decides not to run a party congress will have to be called to endorse this decision.

Haravghi is almost certain that the attorney-general will announce his candidacy as soon as he returns from abroad.

The paper says Diko has promised that it will not reveal Markides's name before he returns to Cyprus. The paper reveals that the final discussions to seal the deal between Markides and Diko were held on Sunday night.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1997

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