Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus cabinet profiles

[02] Foreign Minister underlines importance of task ahead

[03] Foreign diplomats congratulate Clerides

1100:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus cabinet profiles

Five ministers (Foreign, Finance, Health, Communications and Justice) have retained their portfolios, two (Interior and Labour) returned to theirs posts and four were first appointees.

Following is a brief outline of their CVs. Ioannis Kasoulides remains at the Foreign Ministry. Born in Nicosia in 1948, he studied medicine in Lyon University, France and specialised in geriatrics in London.

He served the ruling Democratic Rally party in various capacities and in May 1991 was elected to the House.

When Clerides was elected President for his first term in office in February 1993, Kasoulides was appointed Government Spokesman. In April 1997, he took over the Foreign Ministry. He is married with one daughter.

Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou, who stays on at his post, was born in Avgorou village in 1939 and studied in Athens and the University of Wales. He worked as a teacher for a while and served in other government posts, including that of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture.

In November 1993 he was appointed Minister of Finance. He is married with one daughter.

Dinos Michaelides goes back to the Ministry of Interior after an absence of four months, when he withdrew from the government following a decision by the Democratic Party (DIKO) to leave its partner in government. Michaelides backed Clerides in his bid for re-election against his party's wishes.

Born in Limassol in 1937, he went to Greece to study law and political science. He joined the diplomatic service in 1961 and in 1985 he was appointed to the Interior Ministry, which he served until 1988.

In 1991 he became an MP and two years later, Clerides appointed him as Minister of the Interior. He is married with three children.

Yiannakis Omirou, new Defence Minister, comes from the ranks of the Socialist party EDEK. Born in Paphos in 1951, he studied law in Athens University and has been practicing law since then.

He actively opposed the military coup of July 1974 in Cyprus, engineered by the Greek junta, and was jailed for this by the coupists. He was elected to the House in 1981 until last week's appointment to the cabinet.

Nicos Rolandis is the new Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. He was born in Limassol in 1934 and became a barrister-at-law at Middle Temple in London. He practised law for a brief period and then turned to the business world.

He served as Foreign Minister from 1978 to 1983 but resigned the post when he disagreed with the then President of the Republic. He was MP from 1991 to 1996. He is married with two children.

Christos Solomis retains the Health Ministry, to which he was appointed in April last year. He was born in Famagusta (now under Turkish occupation) in 1942 and studied law in Athens.

He took part in the Cyprus struggle for independence in 1955-59 and in 1981 he was elected deputy, a post he retained until 1996. He is married with two children.

The Justice and Public Order Ministry will be headed again by Nicos Koshis, who was first appointed to the post in April 1997.

He was born in 1933 and served in the House until 1974. In that year, he took over the Ministry of Interior and Defence and since April last year he leads the Justice Ministry. He publishes the daily "AGON". He is married with three children.

Andreas Moushouttas returns to the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. Born in Nicosia in 1939 he went to Athens to study law and served the Labour Ministry from 1985 to 1988.

In March 1993 he went back to the same Ministry when Clerides appointed him to the post and served until November 1997, when he too withdrew from the cabinet after the Democratic Party broke ranks with the ruling Democratic Rally and left the government. He is married with two children.

Leontios Ierodiaconou will continue to head the Ministry of Communications and Works to which he was appointed in April 1997.

Born in Nicosia in 1941, he studied in Athens and Sweden. From 1976 to 1996 he served as deputy and for a five-year term as chairman of the House Finance Committee. He is married with one son.

Lykourgos Kappas is the new Minister of Education and Culture. He was born in Lefkoniko village (now under Turkish occupation) in 1928 and studied in Britain.

He worked as a teacher for years and served in various committees and organisations. He is married with four children.

Costas Themistocleous will head the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment. He was born in 1949 and studied Economic and Political Science in Athens and London.

He worked as a journalist with a Greek-speaking local paper in London and was in charge of international relations of a local trade union.

He was one of the founding members of ADISOK party, which later merged with another party to form the United Democrats, whom he served as General Secretary. He is married with three children.

The new Government Spokesman is Christos Stylianides. He was born in Nicosia in 1958 and studied dentistry in Athens. He is married with two sons.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1110:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Foreign Minister underlines importance of task ahead

Returning to this post after President Glafcos Clerides re-appointed him on Saturday following his re-election, Kasoulides said he is confident he would continue cooperate closely with his staff to meet the challenges ahead.

Noting that when he was first appointed to the post, ten months ago, he looked at the task ahead with awe, today Kasoulides said "I dare say before you that this feeling is transformed to self-confidence which is based on the experience I gained from the personal relations we have all managed to create."

The mission of the Ministry, he pointed out, is "very serious because there are crucial times awaiting for us which relate to our European accession course and efforts to reunite Cyprus."

"A lot depends on the work carried out in this Ministry, and the seriousness, the hard work and creativity each of us will show," the Minister told his staff.

He also stressed the importance of good human relations among the staff and reminded them that the task they are invited to carry out demands "a large share of self-confidence and respect to the mission at hand."

Kasoulides thanked all the personnel for the trust they have shown in his person and promised he would stand by them to solve any problems they have.

Welcoming the Minister back to his office, Permanent Secretary Alecos Shambos congratulated him and said he was very pleased to see him back to continue the task he embarked on several months ago.

"We shall help you in this mission to meet the new challenges and the serious problems awaiting a solution for the benefit of Cyprus," Shambos said.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Foreign diplomats congratulate Clerides

Among the diplomats were US Ambassador, Kenneth Brill, British High Commissioner, David Madden, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Gilles Anouil, Russian Ambassador, Georgi Mouradov and Greek Ambassador, Kyriakos Rodousakis.

President Clerides was flanked by Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and Under-Secretary to the President, Pantelis Kouros.

After the congratulations at the Presidential Palace, President Clerides held a reception for the foreign diplomats.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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