National Guard needs a total overhaul

I read with incredulity an article in your August 12 edition regarding the suggestion that a leading psychiatrist Yiangos Mikellides should be investigated over his views on the National Guard.

Whilst there might be a conflict of interest at stake, the notion that he should be silenced for stating the blindingly obvious – an opinion which so many would agree with –is ludicrous.
The National Guard serves no purpose whatsoever, as a defence force it is totally inadequate as was proved in 1974. Today in the time that it takes to publish this letter the island could be taken over by the Turkish Troops stationed in the north of the island, probably with a few reinforcements from the mainland.

Faced with the inevitability of total destruction and huge loss of life, is it not time for the National Guard to be disbanded? This way it would be freeing up young men to continue with their studies to contribute to the island’s future instead of wasting months playing at soldiers in an army which will never be of any use.

There is however an urgent need for a highly trained and equipped small professional border force, capable of making speedy responses to stop illegal immigration, drug running, etc.  The saving of money and resources from disbandment of the National Guard could be put to many more uses and urgent needs of the island.
 
 
John Russell,
Ayios Therapon

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.