Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-08-25

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] New ministers assume office

[02] Cyprus - New Ministers take over

[03] Galanos - Resignation letter - House

0900:CYPPRESS:01

[01] New ministers assume office

New Defence Minister is former Democratic Rally (DISY) deputy Socratis Hasikos, taking over from Yiannakis Chrysostomis who resigned on Monday.

New Communications and Works Minister is Averof Neofitou, also former DISY deputy, who replaces Leontios Ierodiakonou who accepted a post at a university in Sweden.

Frixos Savvides, executive advisor at an auditor's office and chairman of Apollon football club, undertakes the post of Health Minister, replacing Christos Solomis, who according to an official statement yesterday, has accepted a high profile job.

New Government Spokesman is United Democrats Acting President and lawyer, Michalis Papapetrou, who takes over from journalist Costas Serezis who served as Government Spokesman for five months.

President Clerides expressed the hope the new ministers will work intensively, with objectivity, for the best interest of Cyprus.

Speaking on behalf of the new ministers, Hasikos assured the President that they would all work to "serve the national interest in an objective manner to the benefit of the Cypriot people."

Turning towards the new Government Spokesman, the President expressed the hope he would carry out his duties "with objectivity, thus representing the views of the government".

The three ministers and Government Spokesman then went to their offices to undertake their duties. Later today they will attend the first cabinet session, at the Presidential retreat at Troodos mountain to be presided over by President Clerides.

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - New Ministers take over

Sokratis Hasikos took over as Defence Minister from Yiannakis Crysostomis, who resigned on Monday.

Averof Neophytou assumed as Minister of Communications and Works from Leontios Ierodiakonou, who resigned to work for an overseas academic organisation.

Frixos Savvides took over as Minister of Health from Christos Solomis, who will be appointed head of a new government department.

Politician Michalis Papapetrou, Acting President of the United Democrats party, assumed as Government Spokesman, succeeding journalist Costas Serezis, who resigned on Monday.

Hasikos and Neophytou were deputies of the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally party. They will be replaced in the 56-seat House of Representatives by the party's runners up in the 1996 elections, Lia Georgiadou in Kyrenia District and Costas Constantinou, in Paphos District.

Their predecessors handed over their duties to the newcomers wishing them every success in their difficult work.

The new cabinet members and the Government Spokesman promised to work hard to serve the Cypriot people.

Immediately after assuming office the four new persons in the government travelled to Troodos mountain in central Cyprus to attend the first cabinet session under its new composition.

The meeting presided over by President Glafcos Clerides takes place at the presidential summer residence.

CNA GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1335:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Galanos - Resignation letter - House

Galanos, a veteran of the local political scene for more than two decades, broke ranks with Kyprianou's party, Democratic Party, and backed President Glafcos Clerides in his bid for a second term in office in early 1988.

Kyprianou and Galanos said today they remain friends in spite of any past differences and acrimonious exchanges.

"We have had our differences on the political front but as individuals we are and will be friends. We both aim at the same objective, to restore human rights in Cyprus which Turkey violates through its occupation," Galanos said.

Kyprianou described Galanos' resignation as "an important event in the history of Cyprus" and added "there is no doubt that Galanos has offered a lot from many posts."

He said his personal view is that Galanos made a "mistake" when he distanced himself from DIKO.

The House President said he hoped Galanos would not be absent from public life for too long. Galanos said he would serve the party he set up (Eurodemocratic Renewal Party) in July 1998.

Galanos' seat at the 56-seat House will be taken by Zaharias Koulias of the Democratic Party.

Galanos, who announced his intention to resign last Tuesday, was elected DIKO deputy in Famagusta district in May 1996.

CNA FZ/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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