Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 98-11-06

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

Friday, November 6, 1998

Mixed reaction to Michaelides report

A VARIETY of lead stories graced yesterday's front pages.

Alithia published the Auditor-general's report about the allegations of corruption against Minister of Interior Dinos Michaelides. It said that President Clerides was awaiting the opinion of the Attorney-general as to whether any criminal offence had been committed by the minister.

The Chairman of the House Watchdog Committee, Christos Pourgourides, who had made the allegations, as well as members of opposition parties were expected to raise questions about the adequacy of the report, which, according to the paper, vindicated Michaelides.

Haravghi took the opposite line, claiming that the report was damning for Michaelides because it showed that the minister had used his position for personal gain. It alleged that Clerides and the Disy leadership were looking for ways of preventing a criminal investigation.

The Presidential Palace was afraid of the consequences of an appearance by Michaelides before the House Watchdog Committee and speculated that Clerides could sack the minister before then.

Simerini reported that complete confusion surrounded the issue of the S- 300 missiles. While Russia was awaiting the green light from the government to start the procedure for the deployment of the missiles, the political leadership was not due to take a decision until the National Council meeting in a week's time.

The responsibility for the delay had been put on Clerides, who wanted to see what would happen in the next few days before taking a final decision. The paper noted that another postponement would be tantamount to the cancellation of the missile deployment.

Phileleftheros predicted that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash would quit the latest round of contacts, initiated by the UN, in reaction to the start of substantive accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU next Tuesday.

Other reprisals by the Turkish side would the closing of the Ledra Palace checkpoint and the further integration of the occupied areas and Turkey. The latter was discussed by Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz during his visit to the north.

Machi reported that a "family tragedy" was behind the story of the Limassol doctor who had been writing out pethidine prescriptions for non- existent patients.

The doctor had been giving the pethidine injections to his son in an effort to help him kick a drug habit he had acquired while studying abroad. Police were investigating the case, the paper said.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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