THE KNIVES are finally out between the Papadopoulos and Christofias camps, after weekend accusations by AKEL that the President is consorting with former EOKA B operatives.
Speaking at the weekend, spokesman Andros Kyprianou cast a shadow on Papadopoulos’ support base, claiming the President had met with leading members of the 1970s paramilitary organisation widely blamed for the coup that led to the Turkish invasion.
“How can a resistance fighter, a man who is imbued with democratic convictions, as Mr. Papadopoulos himself has stated, meet with members of that organisation which constituted the Trojan Horse for the sacking of the Republic, and how does this affect his candidacy?” Kyprianou asked.
But Kyprianou did not give any details on these alleged contacts.
Moving on, the AKEL spokesman pointed out what he dubbed a glaring inconsistency in Papadopoulos’ policies; he said the President had the backing of the European Party, the only party that is openly hostile to a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
“One has to wonder what the President has promised them in exchange for their support,” said Kyprianou.
The riposte came from Giorgos Lillikas, coordinator of Papadopoulos’ election campaign, who challenged the communists to substantiate their EOKA B allegations.
A member of AKEL himself until recently, Lillikas then went on the offensive.
“For every one attack that Mr Christofias’ staff launch on Ioannis Kasoulides, there are 10 attacks on the President,” he remarked.
This dig at AKEL’s tactics hid the insinuation that they were in cahoots with rightwing DISY.
The implication that the communists might cooperate with arch-foes DISY is anathema to the AKEL grass roots.
For his part, government spokesman Vasilis Palmas denied that Papadopoulos had ever met with extreme right-wing elements.
“Certainly not. Unless of course shaking hands or chatting with someone in passing at a function may be considered such a contact,” Palmas said.
“When, where and with whom did the President meet? We would like Mr Kyprianou to furnish names and addresses, so that at long last our political pronouncements become reliable,” he added.
But instead of taking up the gauntlet, Christofias seemed keen on defusing the crisis when quizzed by newsmen later in the day.
Asked whether he would disclose the names of EOKA B members who supposedly met the President, the AKEL boss dodged the question.
“I think that these matters are crystal-clear, but I personally shall not enter such a discussion.
“My [election] staff should answer your question…since it was they who made the accusations,” he said.
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