US taxpayers did contribute to Olympic security

Sir,
I have recently returned from holiday to Cyprus and Greece, which we enjoyed. I came because I have always been told of the hospitality of Greek culture and the beauty of your countries. My son has been serving in the US Coast Guard and had been assigned to help provide security during the Olympics. Upon arrival to my home in the States I was reading some Cyprus newspapers online. I came across an article about security during the Olympics and read a very uninformed misrepresentation of the facts (‘Greece shouldn’t foot the security tab alone’, editorial, August 31). The US taxpayers, along with other countries provided a huge portion of the security bill, including providing forces, training and technology. One reason of the success of the security was that the media and countries help to detect the security holes and helped the Greek government in making things so secure. Yes, Greece did have to pay a lot of the bill, but they knew the price going in. I live in Atlanta where we hosted the 1996 Olympics and, yes, we paid a high price for providing security for the event (with no help from Greece). You are correct, the world does need to be involved in the war on terror and perhaps one day countries that have their heads in the sand will wake up and join instead of causing division. I hope they do not have to face a 9/11 like the people in the US did before they take action.

While in Athens, Americans were everywhere enjoying the event (I’ve read reports that more Americans attended then any other country). The Greeks were very warm hosts and we will return for another visit someday. As for Cyprus, I wish I could say the same. Most of the people there were rude once they found out we were Americans. The prices for things were outrageous, which may account for the low numbers of tourists on your island. If I were you, I’d take a long look at your tourism industry and do something to increase the value of what a person has to spend to visit and stay in Cyprus. Being in the travel industry, it will take a lot for me to recommend my clients to vacation in Cyprus.

Michael Wood, Atlanta, USA

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.