PHILELEFTHEROS “Bitter climate” There was an intense climate yesterday when the National Council met to discuss the intense atmosphere that was developed before the referendum. The National Council met to find ways to adapt to the new situation and discuss the role of President Papadopoulos in encouraging the no vote and also of DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades who campaigned against the President. Anastassiades referred to the attack against him when a grenade was thrown into his house and said Papadopoulos had been responsible for causing this climate.
POLITIS “Embargo end for tourism” The European Union has agreed to allow Europeans and tourists to move freely from the south of the island to the north. Yet the government has shown no concern that this will affect their tourism, even though it has been discovered that certain foreign organisations have already begun preparing for the new tourist destination.
HARAVGHI “They spoke and listened” The National Council yesterday continued discussions on the Cyprus problem and how to move forward after the referendum. They focused their attention on the Greek Cypriot stance. In the coming weeks they do not foresee any new negotiations or talks and President Papadopoulos will call upon those needed when the right time arrives. Papadopoulos said the priority now was to explain the resounding ‘no’ in the referendum and to counter Europe’s disappointment and encourage them to continue to try and solve the Cyprus problem.
MACHI “Unacceptable claims” Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday said that the claim of responsibility by the Cypriot Nationalists’ Organisation for the attack on DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades’ home is being investigated by the police. There have also been further threats against Anastassiades. Chrysostomides condemned these acts and wondered “if these fools who take such actions understand the harm they are doing to their country.”
ALITHIA “Foreigners worry while government doesn’t” Even after yesterday’s proclamation by the Cypriot Nationalists’ Organisation, the police refuse to accept that the attack on Anastassiades was politically motivated. This was obvious from the Justice Minister’s statements. Police said there was no evidence to back up Nicos Anastassiades claims that the motives were political. The police then claimed the Organisation was not a radical one and that the person responsible for the attack was probably a paranoid individual.
SIMERINI “Tassos will not reshuffle” President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that he will not reshuffle the government but only fill in the two vacant ministerial positions. This is what he said at the National Council meeting but avoided saying who would fill the positions and when. Papadopoulos asked the ministers not to pay attention to what was written in the media regarding a reshuffle. He has decided not to reshuffle the government, as he does not want to give the message that he is replacing or moving any minister as punishment or for their stance in the referendum.
