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/ Resignations reflect government failure
/
THE resignations of the government spokesman, Costas Serezis, and the
Minister of Defence, Yiannakis Chrysostomis, dominated yesterday’s front
pages, as speculation mounted about who would replace them. Editorials
about the resignations were not very flattering for the government.
The decision of brokerage firms not to carry out any transactions, in
solidarity with the three firms that had been suspended by the Stock
Exchange for delays in issuing title deeds, also featured prominently.
Alithia
reported that the only decision reached so far was that Michalis Papapetrou,
deputy leader of the United Democrats, would become government spokesman.
Disy Paphos deputy Averof Neophytou was being touted as a possible Minister
of Communications, replacing the outgoing Leontios Ierodiaconou.
There was a question mark about the defence ministry, as the government
wanted to appoint a person of broader acceptance, rather than a party man,
said the paper. The two candidates preferred by the presidential palace
have both been ruled out. Former Edek deputy Efstathios Efstathiou was
ruled out after his party, which is in opposition, vetoed the move. Former
government spokesman Christos Stylianides declined the offer of the post.
Simerini, in a strongly-worded front page
editorial, lambasts President Clerides for lacking the will to exercise any
control over his cabinet. Ideally, ministers who had failed in their jobs
should have been relieved of their duties, while those who disagreed with
the government should have resigned. The only criterion for choosing a new
minister should be ability. "Unfortunately, the president and his advisors
do not follow this way of doing things," it said.
Instead, the president’s main objective, was to "destroy the opposition" by
giving ministries to opposition party members and "transforming the
government into a party motel". It concluded that if the president did not
adopt a rational approach in choosing ministers the next government crisis
"would jeopardise his own position as the main question has already been
posed: who is governing the country and how?"
Haravghi, in a front page editorial, said
the two resignations "confirmed the complete failure of the government".
Serezis ’ claims about being undermined by Disy exposed Clerides "who is
operating under the dictats and pressure of Disy". The cabinet reshuffle
would do nothing to improve the image of the government; a facelift of the
government was not what was required, said the paper.
"What Cyprus needs is a government that achieves results, which listens to
the problems of our people and which will be in a position to meet the
challenge of the 21st century. Clerides and his governments have proved
they cannot."
Machi
attacked Serezis for his "bilious" comments in announcing his resignation.
"To present himself as a resistance fighter, Serezis referred to the 1974
coup. He forgets that before the coup he was friendly with senior National
Guard officers who were Junta members and belonged to the Greek Junta that
had betrayed Cyprus. "
It added: "After the Cyprus tragedy it was no accident that Serezis found
himself in Athens, under the protection of Constantine Karamanlis, the
Prime Minister of the Cyprus betrayal."
Politis
said there was "a mutiny at the Stock Exchange", as stockbrokers decided
not to work, showing solidarity with three offices which had been suspended
for not fulfilling their obligations. Only £2.1 million worth of
transactions took place "with millions of pounds left in limbo".
Phileleftheros
said that the rift between brokerage firms and the Stock Exchange was
unbridgeable despite the intervention of Finance Minister Takis Klerides,
who received assurances that stockbrokers would call off their industrial
action for the time being.
© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999
