www.talkcyprus.org

[stavrizatz]

I translate the following article from typos.com.cy of a Cypriot who wanted to express his fears about the tragic selling of our country.

It is an interesting article found in Greek at http://www.typos.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=91019

The commercial "takers" of most Greek Cypriot from 1974 was from tourism at first, from stock market later and now from land development, they result "case studies", not for students of business administration but for phychologists, phychiatrists, sociologists and anthropologists.

The "golden chicken" of tourism was giving birth uncontrolable, in the 80s. Then the tourist product was provided by proffecionals of the field and was really high quality. Almost all waiters were graduates of the hospitality school and if they didn't speak at least two foreign languages they couldn't easily find a job in a good hotel. The quote "kopiaste" (welcome) was true every dayΤ, from the few in comparison with today, tourist businesses, that were also mostly family run businesses. From the 90s and after, even "disabled Mary" run to invest in tourism. The state instead of planning the expansion of tourism development on the basis of the real needs and the abilities of the country, operated with the logic of urban development and other "pareclesis" (e.g. Ayia Napa), of "who makes it, made it","consume now that we have" and other similar...the existing tourist rooms became apartments and most of the waiters now are like "Yes madam", who don't even know the capital of Cyprus!!! At the same time and parallel, the different "specialists" chair-centaurs travel daily in distant countries and...ideal, everything paid from us ofcourse - ofcourse, to attract, as they say, "quality tourist product. The opening of Lilikas in China and so on!

Then if was the stock market and Cyprus really became a casino of a bad name province of Las Vegas. Even "Marikou from Lefkara" invested, buying shares of 'Demetra' as well as other rotten potatoes. The majority of Cypriot Greeks operated for once more with the logic "everything or nothing" and faithful to the holy declarations and instructions of their bosses, meaning the retailers of the next balcony, of economy and the social elite, as well as ever existing suckers who saround them, sold whatever they had to buy shares at "oportunity prices" which, as promoted on TV, they whould have doule or triple value... The result is the known to everyone: Marikou lost her house at an auction because she put it as deposit to buy shares... George from Xilofagou commited suicide because he deposited the house of his children in secret from his wife, also to buy shares...etg

Now we have investments in "land development". Some other Greek Cypriots invest and become rich with the most unbelievable ways, from Tourism to stock exchange. Specifically I refer to Liza and Georgaki, grand children of Marikou and George, graduates of the university of Cyprus with post-graduate in Business Administration... These waxed Frappe-swallowers, who happened to have heritated some properties from their parents, what survived the stock exchange. Decide to pay the properties that I refered to earlier, to developers with "some commision". For example Liza sold 10 hacres of residential land in Protaras, which was a holy present from church and specifically from the previous Arbishop Tommy A' to her parents – ex- government employees - in exchange of devine services. With the sale, Liza earned €400.000,00 n cash and a flat with view the chicken farm of Kouzalis from Paralimni. In this way she got rid off her Toyota Yaris given to her by her parents to go to university everyday and she bough a BNW convertible and a posh two bedroom flat in Aglantzia, she found a jobin a bank, shops from Stasicratous etg,etg... By the way the apartments build at the splited 10 Hacres property as elsewere were bought by British pensioners, who came and don't desturb anybody. They foud jobs and the proffesional patriots and by nature consirecists to yell day and night for plots of the Anglo-american finger...

This is the reality on the ground and the environment in which we call upon all those who were captured by the "theve" to survive and fight for a better to tomorrow...

Story by Andreas G. Varnava

In my words...let me add...when will Cypriots learn the meaning of sustainable development? When will we wake up before it is too late. The same mentality led to the shortage of water...do we always need crisis to wake up. In 1974 did we need a military intervention to realise that the short term ethnic gains did more bad rather than good to our country. The thing is that we are way too ignorant. Desperately we need better education.

[repulsewarrior]

good commentary, thanks stav.

cyprus is not unlike other fast growing urban centres in the region, where mobility is important, making a closeness to the land anathema.

[bradleads]

There will always be skepticism about things that are new. People very long ago though traveling in an air plane was unsafe today it is the preferred mode of transport. Development is good but environmental issues and some other things should be addressed too. If all is well then that's not an issue people should crib about. mod note: advertising removed

[repulsewarrior]

welcome bradleads,

tearing up empty land, or cutting down trees?

what have your efforts got to do with our future needs as Cypriots to end its desertification. Are you proud of the homes you build (maybe I'm giving you too much credit) because they give us hope? I doubt you care for the island (or anything else but your own pocket); nothing in your link or your comments gives me any idea of your conscience. You dismiss the consequence of air travel... Your houses may be beautiful, but I think they are more of the same plunder that we peddle to those who do not want to consider that this land is just one step away from desperation...

I am sorry to be so hard on you but aren't you here just to sell something?

[bradleads]

There are problems galore everywhere. You are right in a way that not being a native of Cyprus I cannot really see and feel the problems of that place. But my dear friend Environmental concerns are as close to my heart as any one else. I save water at my own home and I have read that in Cyprus the government leave taps open because they have excess water.

Hope to see you around. mod note: advertising removed

[bradleads]

If you have been to Cyprus earlier, I am certain you are still ecstatic with this lovely island that protrudes out in the Mediterranean Sea. mod note: advertising removed