Cyprus' President Explains Decision to Seek Reelection

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, January 18, 2003

Cyprus' President Explains Decision to Seek Reelection

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Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides reiterated on Friday that his decision to seek reelection for a limited 16-month period rests on his belief that during this time there is a chance of a Cyprus solution.

The 84-years-old president made the reiteration in a written statement read by government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou.

He said in the statement that he will not serve a day longer beyond these 16 months if he wins next month's presidential elections.

"I have sound reason to expect that during this period and in particular in the immediate time ahead there are preconditions to conclude a settlement of the Cyprus problem. This is the sole reason that I have submitted my candidature," he stressed.

To dismiss the "misunderstandings or misinterpretations" of his intentions, Clerides said his decision to seek reelection "is irreversible" and at the end of the time he "will definitely and irrevocably withdraw."

Ten candidates submitted their bids for presidential elections on Friday, officially signalling the start of the country's election campaign.

The elections will take place on Sunday. If necessary there willbe a second round of the voting in following Sunday, or on Feb. 23.

Eight of the candidates are independent. Among them is incumbent president Clerides, who is seeking a third term in office. His second term will end on Feb. 28.

The other two candidates come from political parties. One is Tassos Papadopoulos, leader of the centre-right Democratic Party, who is also supported by the leftwing AKEL party, the largest in the parliament. The other is Nicos Koutsou, supported by a small party, the New Horizons.

Most pundits believe that the elections will be a three-horse race among Clerides, Papadopoulos, and Alecos Markides, a close friend and chief aide of Clerides.

Cyprus, which has been invited by the December 2002 Copenhagen European Council to join the European Union, has been divided into the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides since 1974.

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