George Vassiliou: the president who understood the tragic consequences of dogmatism

Travelling widely during his five years as president from 1988 to 1993, George Vassiliou galvanised international interest in helping to resolve the Cyprus problem. His commitment to a settlement highlighted the obduracy of the veteran Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

Vassiliou’s goal, however, was a reunited island rather than point-scoring.

Akel, the communist party, chose him as its candidate for the 1988 presidential elections, although he ran as independent, declaring...