POLITICIANS were at each other’s throats over the weekend, working overtime to earn extra brownie points ahead of the 2008 election.
The main bone of contention was an interview by communist chief Demetris Christofias to Politis, where he said AKEL had for some time entertained doubts about President Papadopoulos’ foreign policy but stuck with the government alliance in the hopes of using their influence for the good of the country.
Christofias insisted, however, that he did not regret backing Papadopoulos in 2003, saying that under the circumstances it was the right decision. The priority at the time was to get DISY out, he added.
Though the AKEL chief consistently avoided censuring Papadopoulos, his criticism was oblique. For instance, he said the climate of traitors and patriots created during the current administration was “wrong and damaging”, and that Papadopoulos had not delivered on “some” of the promises made in his 2003 election platform.
Moving on, he said he was “embittered” by Giorgos Lillikas’ stance, and revealed that Lillikas had been “strongly against” the Papadopoulos nomination when AKEL were discussing the possibility four and a half years ago.
Lillikas, who served as Commerce Minister and Foreign Minister, is now co-ordinator of Papadopoulos’ election staff.
Christofias said his decision to stand in February’s elections was despite his mother’s warning not to. Apparently, his 86-year-old mother told him not to put himself in a position where he’d have to “sort out” the political situation created by others.
“They messed things up, bringing partition, and they will look to you for answers,” she advised him.
Though he respected her opinion, Christofias said he felt he was duty-bound to seek office.
Reacting to Christofias’ “confessions,” opposition DISY wondered why AKEL had stayed in partnership with Papadopoulos for all these years if they had such disagreements.
DISY no.2 Averoff Neofytou hinted that AKEL had sold its soul in exchange for enjoying the spoils of power.
Hitting back, AKEL’s Nikos Katsourides said that, unlike DISY, the communist party had a sense of responsibility toward the homeland.
He went on to accuse the right-wing party of bailing out of the National Council, and of reporting Cyprus to the EU in the wake of the referendum.
On a different front, DIKO chairman Marios Karoyian opened a new bout with former partners AKEL, whom he charged of secretly working to bring back the Annan plan. According to Karoyian, AKEL’s sole motivation for contesting the presidency was to oust Papadopoulos, the champion of the ‘no’ to the Annan plan.
Karoyian also wondered why the United Democrats, for so long hostile to AKEL, were now rooting for Christofias in the upcoming elections.
Katsourides countered by reminding Karoyian that Papadopoulos had the backing of EUROKO, the only party which rejects a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation for a settlement.
“Does this mean that DIKO has espoused the views of EUROKO, or the other way round?” the AKEL deputy mused.
But he also took a swipe at EDEK’s Yiannakis Omirou, saying the socialist leader, now a fervent supporter of Papadopoulos, would have stood against him in the last elections were he not abandoned by DISY.
DISY had been toying with the idea of naming Omirou as their candidate, but then backed out and proposed the re-election of Glafcos Clerides, leaving Omirou out to dry.
“This reminds me of the tale of King Arthur and Lancelot,” remarked Katsourides.
And DISY boss Nicos Anastassiades yesterday unleashed another ferocious attack on Papadopoulos after reports that he and Serdar Denktash had met secretly to agree their sides’ respective positions in the referenda.
“Next thing you know, they’ll tell us that Serdar was attending our National Council meetings,” Anastassiades sneered.
Meanwhile the Greens said yesterday they were leaning toward the candidacy of Papadopoulos, following the outcome of a party vote.
The majority said the incumbent ought to be their designated choice.
The party will be taking its final decision on the 18th.
