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CYPRUS SHOOTING
Threat to Clerides
NICOSIA, Friday (AAP
Rcuter). — The Cyprus
Government said today
that information had been
received of a plot to assas
sinate President Cleridcs.
The statement came after
gunmen opened fire on a
police car guarding the Presi
dent last night about five
minutes before Mr Cleridcs
Was driven through Nicosia.
No one was injured. The
gunmen escaped after a
police chase through the city.
Mr Cleridcs had earlier re
ceived a second statement of
support from the deposed
Cyprus Leader, Archbishop
Makarios. Mr Cleridcs had
hccn seeking clarification of
his position amid reports that
he was considering resigna
tion.
Government sources said
Mr derides also received
telephone calls from the UN
Secretary General. Dr Wal
dhcim, and the Greek
Government urging him to
stay in office.
Mr Clcridcs is expected to
make a statement later today.
Should Mr Clerides decide
against resignation, it would
clear the way for a resump
tion of his regular weekly
talks with the Turkish-Cy
priot leader, Mr Denktash,
on the problems of the
226,000 refugees on the
island and the longer-term
political problems.
Mr Cleridcs suspended the
talks on Monday over uncer
tainty about his position
should Archbishop Makarios
return to Cyprus.
A government statement
said that last night's shooting
incident came just before Mr
Cleridcs was driven along a
street in south-east Nicosia
on his way home from his
office near the centre of the
city.
A police car checking the
route, a precaution taken
after reports of a planned at
tempt on the President's life,
tried to intercept a car mov
ing suspiciously and its occu
pants opened fire.
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