Cyprus Mail www.cyprus-mail.com
Thursday, December 13, 2012
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CYPRUS
WORLD
REPORTAGE
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MPs: austerity or bankruptcy House passes 23 ‘bailout bills’ as protesters clash with riot squad By George Psyllides
W
ITH its back to the wall, Cyprus yesterday passed a raft of austerity measures included in a provisional bailout agreement, in a bid to convince lenders it would stick to its side of the bargain ahead of a Eurogroup meeting today. Faced with the dilemma of austerity or bankruptcy, parliament rushed through some 23 bills that included social spending and wage cuts, a freeze in benefits, and a slew of fresh taxes. Earlier, and during part of the session, scores of people protested outside parliament against the cuts in social spending that would affect large families, members of which threw stones and eggs at the House and clashed with police. Vote on a controversial bill hiking immovable property tax was postponed after the government withdrew the draft pending further study. Most of the bills were unanimously approved, apart from provisions concerning cuts in child, student allowances, and a benefit given to mothers with three or more children. MPs highlighted the gravity of the situation, and despite stressing it was not a fair deal, they agreed that it was necessary or else the country would go bankrupt. Main opposition DISY deputy chairman Averof Neophytou said it was an unfair memorandum but the alternative was bankruptcy. “For us, our
country’s bankruptcy was never and will never be an option,” he said. Neophytou said it was perhaps the most difficult session parliament had to hold in the history of the Republic as he commended parties for closing ranks for the good of the country. “We are a proud and stubborn people. We do not accept losing the battle or being humiliated,” Neophytou said, in a rather conciliatory speech. Ruling AKEL said it disagreed with many of the terms in the bailout agreement but it would nevertheless vote for the bills. MP Yiannos Lamaris added that his party will fight for the measures to be reversed as soon as conditions would allow. “We know our country will Protesters attempting to drag away a police barrier at the House yesterday (CNA) FULL STORY PAGE 6 go through great difficulty but we must show responsibility,” MP Yiannos Lamaris said. The AKEL lawmaker sought to fend off criticism of governcar restoration, already have one son, Sure, it might be just another set of ment inaction in the face of AN Essex couple are celebrating an extra special birth after their son was three-year-old Jack. numbers for some. But unlike the the crisis. The couple, from High Ongar, Espast 11 years, this was the last such He quoted various officials born at 12.12pm yesterday. sex, returned home with Oliver, who triple date for almost a century - until who had said, back in 2008, The timing means Oliver Talmage’s weighed 7lb, later in the day. January 1, 2101. that the economy and its full date and time of birth will read 12.12pm on 12/12/12. MacLennan added: “It’s great to have For professional numerologists, banks were robust. a brother for Jack. I always wanted 12/12/12 isn’t just a cool repetition of Before that, DIKO vice His mother, Hannah MacLennan, who two children. digits or a lucky day for lovers. chairman Nicolas Papadopou- went into labour at the Princess AlexIt’s a fantastic day to start a new los suggested that President andra Hospital in Harlow shortly after “We’ve told the rest of the family the business venture or make a significant Demetris Christofias and his 6am, said: “As soon as he was born the news and everybody is really happy.” Talmage said: “We’re just delighted to purchase, Indian numerologist Swetta government bore most of the midwife came in and pointed out the have a healthy baby - anything else is Jumaani said. responsibility for the sorry timing. We were already celebrating just a nice extra.” According to numerology, 12 is constate of the economy. Papa- and this makes it all the more special. Many people consider 12/12/12 to be a sidered a ‘three’ number because the dopoulos said they were late “He was due on the 18th so it’s come lucky day and registry offices across digits add up to three. in realising the crisis was com- as a bit of a surprise. It’s a great little And three is a very good number being, late in taking measures, story which we will be telling for years Britain have reported a surge in wedding bookings. cause it corresponds with the largest late in seeking assistance and to come and it will give him his 15 Across the world, from India to Las planet, Jupiter, in addition to wealth. late in negotiating the bail- minutes of fame.” MacLennan, 34, an admin worker at Vegas, superstitious lovebirds and (In case you’re wondering, Jumaani out. an investment bank, and her husband, numbers geeks were revelling in the says the No.1 ‘planet’ is the sun, and once-in-a-lifetime date. No.2 is the moon.) TURN TO PAGE 7 Andrew Talmage, 39, who works in
All the 12s for new baby Oliver on special date