Enough big talk about working hard and fighting battles

2010-12-29

WHILE addressing the 21st Congress of AKEL the President of the Republic promised to work hard in the direction of achieving convergences during the Cyprus negotiations.

I conclude from the particular commitment that the president’s objective is an agreed solution.  If I read the statement correctly and if the goal is an agreed solution it is my view that by hard work the ultimate goal will not be achieved.

Hard work is not the tool for the solution of complicated and long lasting problems such as the Cyprus problem.  Seemingly the President made the particular commitment because of the Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council.

How Belgium is tackling the crisis – any lessons for Cyprus?

2010-12-29

IN A FEW days time, Belgium’s Presidency of the EU Council will be concluded. The small kingdom at the heart of Europe shares with Greece and Italy the not-so-enviable position of having the highest debt to GDP ratio in Europe; it is also running a budget deficit of around 5 per cent of GDP.

For the past few years now, the country has been going through an unprecedented period of instability in its history, and currently is run by a caretaker government. Yet, Belgians are managing to take some drastic fiscal consolidation measures that could serve as an example for other countries.

Holy Hogwash

2010-12-29

 

ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS’ recent comments on foreigners in Cyprus have shocked many people. “We cannot have all kinds of seeds here” he is quoted as saying. Surely he is aware that ethnocentrism, regardless of whether it is based on historical grudges or on the erroneous teachings of men, is wholly contrary to God’s word. We are very clearly commanded to love one another (John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”), and such a command precludes ANY discrimination based on race or culture.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

Speech causes uproar, tension

2010-12-29

UPROAR yesterday greeted comments made by President Christofias that those against a federation should “stand up as good Greeks and say it”, provoking outraged comments from all other parties.

House President and DIKO leader Marios Garoyian said the President’s reference – made during a speech to students on Monday – was “irrelevant, unnecessary and wrong” and called on the President to “leave Hellenism and Greece there where it deserves to be”.

He added, “Each one of us can express his view and position, express political arguments; give his stigma. But on the other hand, what good comes out of these characterisations, which are constantly being made, and what is their purpose?”

Our View: Archbishop is purposely stoking culture of racism

2010-12-29

IT IS inconceivable that the head of a religious organisation could align himself so publicly with a group advocating a racially homogenous nation, echoing similar sentiments to the ethnic purity sought by Hitler’s National Socialists which wreaked havoc on the world.

And yet that is exactly what the head of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, did in an interview with Kathimerini over the Christmas weekend. The day after its publication, the archbishop confirmed that he really sees eye to eye on a number of issues with the nationalist group ELAM (National People’s Front), specifying this was not limited to illegal immigration.

Erdogan: racism on the rise among Greek Cypriots

2010-12-29

‘TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his weekly speech to parliament yesterday to highlight the “violent incidents” that took place in Nicosia last week, arguing that racism was on the rise among Greek Cypriots.

“It is worrying to see that racism and violence against Turks is on the rise in the Greek Cypriot side, while we work towards dialogue and reconciliation” of the two communities in Cyprus, he said.

“Even an isolated incident like this shows who wants peace and who doesn’t want to give peace a chance on the island,” he added.

Erdogan called on the EU to come out with “more satisfactory” statements on the issue, and on “the racism and hatred that is growing on the island”.

Cheaper internet connections on the way

2010-12-29

FASTER AND cheaper internet will finally be arriving in Cyprus with the New Year as CyTA, PrimeTel and MTN are all planning to improve their services, bringing them in line with the rest of the European Union.

Internet on the island is one of the slowest in the EU since all the traffic goes through one underwater cable. Prices are also very expensive compared to the rest of the bloc, for example in the UK, you can receive up to 20Mbps for just €12 on average, while in Finland similar speeds are provided for just €7.

In Cyprus you would be looking to pay up to seven times as much for about one fifth of the speed, for example CyTA currently charges €74.02 for a 4Mbps connection and a home telephone service.

Laws to iron out problems with title deeds

2010-12-29

PARLIAMENT is currently in the process of preparing a law, in cooperation with the government and banks, that will put an end to the current title deeds system that has left hundreds of home buyers at the mercy of debt-riddled developers.

Until now, buying a house or apartment and even paying for it – or taking out a mortgage – did not necessarily mean that the buyer had his or her full rights, often having no title deed. If the developer went bankrupt, the rights to the property were immediately handed over to the bank, which effectively owned the property’s title deeds.

Dust, fog as unseasonable highs come to an end

2010-12-29

DUST, FOG and low cloud are in store over the next four days according to the Meteorological Service, putting high risk groups such as asthma sufferers on the alert. This is the second incidence of dust islandwide over the last two weeks.

According to Meteorological officer Marios Theophilou, the dust comes from Syria but will not affect visibility. Dust from surrounding countries and salt from the sea is an ongoing problem, with Cyprus facing the European Court of Justice over 35 violations concerning the levels of dust in the air between 2005 and 2007.

Politicians spread Christmas cheer

2010-12-29

REPRESENTATIVES of the island’s political parties showed their Christmas spirit yesterday as they visited various institutions in Nicosia spreading Christmas wishes and joy to those less fortunate.

Head of DIKO Marios Garoyian visited army camp BMH in Nicosia and told the soldiers: “Thanks to your vigilant efforts and your commitment we can now look towards a brighter future.” He then expressed the wish that 2011 will be the year that Cypriots finally taste freedom and conveyed his hope that Cyprus “will soon escape the economic crisis.”

DISY head Nikos Anastiasiades visited Ayia Marina’s old people’s home in Strovolos where he also attempted to spread Christmas cheer and joy.

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.