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WIN A WEEKEND FOR TWO AT THE ALEXANDER THE GREAT INSIDE Cyprus Presidential campaigner accused of stealing info 2

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LIVING

If the banks go it all goes ‘Cyprus as financial centre would cease to exist without them’

By George Psyllides

F

ORMER president George Vassiliou has appealed for an end to the “war” against Cyprus’ banks, warning that loss of confidence in the sector would be catastrophic for the island.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Vassiliou, who was also Cyprus’ chief negotiator during the EU accession talks, agreed that banks had made mistakes as regards the size of their Greek bond holdings - which led to their current troubles - but stressed that Cyprus as an international financial centre could cease to exist without them.

“The war against the banking sector is a war against Cyprus,” he said. “To attack the banking sector as a whole works against the interests of Cyprus.”

The island’s two main banks, Bank of Cyprus (BoC) - the biggest - and Popular Bank, suffered record 2011 losses as a result of a write-down in their portfolios of Greek sovereign debt, an impairment agreed by European leaders, including Cyprus’ president, to make Greece’s debt more

sustainable.

The decision proved costly for the island, with the Popular Bank needing at least €1.8 billion from the state, while BoC has asked for €500 million.

Imposing the haircut on holders of Greek sovereign debt essentially pushed Cyprus - already shut out of international capital markets for a year and in recession to seek international aid.

At the same time, the government and opposition have been engaged in fierce public debate over who is to blame. The government claims it’s the banks while opposition parties said it’s the administration’s mismanagement of the economy.

“No one can say the government was infallible nor can one say the banks were infallible; but this is not the essence of the problem at the moment,” Vassiliou said.

Vassiliou says the main reason for Cyprus’ travails is the “Greek tragedy” which naturally affects Cyprus because of the links between the two countries’ economies.

The former president said the two lenders could have avoided buying such a large

TURN TO PAGE 3

Representatives of foreign countries look on at the Place de la Concorde during the traditional Bastille Day military parade in Paris yesterday (AFP)

2 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Home Weather

Nicosia Troodos

42

32

Paphos

32

36

Larnaca

Limassol

36

TODAY: Staying fine across the island, with temperatures a little higher than normal. Temperatures will reach 42C inland, 38C on the east coast, 36C on the south and 32C in the west and over higher ground OUTLOOK: Remaining warm with temperatures higher than normal until Tuesday

Lebanese held on suspicion of terrorist activity Now in custody, thought seeking info on Israeli targets

YESTERDAY

Nicosia Larnaca Limassol Paphos Paralimni Prodromos

max/min temp 41 - 27 35 - 24 36 - 23 31 - 20 38 - 26 32 - 22

SUNRISE: 05.43am

Humidity 14% 41% 52% 78% 15% 56%

SUNSET: 20.01 pm

Sunday Mail Established 1945. Number 21,280 NICOSIA 24 Vass. Voulgaroctonou, P.O. Box 21144, 1502 Nicosia Tel: 22-818585, Fax: 22-676385 email: mail@cyprus-mail.com LIMASSOL 5A Nicolaou, Pentadromos Centre, Thessaloniki St, Tel: 25-761117, Fax: 25-761141 email: cyprusmail@cytanet.com.cy LARNACA Tel: 24-652243, Fax: 24-659982 PAPHOS 62 Apostolou Pavlou Avenue, Office 2, 8046 Paphos, Tel: 26 911383 Fax : 26 221049 email: paphos@cyprus-mail.com

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By Natalie Hami A LEBANESE man in custody on suspicion of involvement in possible terrorist attacks on Israeli interests had a remand order against him renewed for another seven days by Limassol district court on Friday, reports said yesterday.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides confirmed the suspect was arrested in connection with particularly serious offences and is now in police custody.

He also said that he was arrested after the evaluation of certain information and “as it concerns matters of security no more details or clarifications will be made”.

Reports stated that the suspect, who has a Swedish passport, was arrested last Saturday at his hotel following an urgent message from foreign secret services. The 24-year-old suspect was then remanded for five days behind closed doors.

Police have found in his possession certain papers and photos that they are exam-

ining carefully. They suspect he was in Cyprus to monitor and then organise a terrorist attack against Israeli interests.

The suspect arrived on the island almost two weeks ago.

According to reports he planned on blowing up an aircraft or bus, so police are currently searching for explosives that he would have potentially used. He was allegedly hanging around places with Israeli tourists, watching to see what buses they were using and even looking out for premises that come under Israeli ownership. Police are also looking into to what extent he was carrying out the same kind of reconnaissance work in other cities.

Reports also stated that the suspect originally denied any involvement in a terrorist organisation, however, after further questioning he allegedly admitted his involvement in a well-known terrorist organisation based in Lebanon.

They are also searching for any possible contacts he may have had in Cyprus or abroad.

Non-partisan: presidential hopeful George Lillikas

DIKO accuses George Lillikas’ team of stealing personal data

By Poly Pantelides HUNDREDS of DIKO members have been “bombarded” with messages from the electoral team of independent presidential candidate, George Lillikas, illegally taken from the party’s archives, General Director of the party, Andreas Constantinou said yesterday.

Constantinou has sent a letter to personal data commissioner Yiannis Danielides reporting a “serious violation outbreak of the personal data law of 2001”.

“Lately, hundreds of DIKO members have complained that they are being ‘bombarded’ by phone calls, letters and invitations relating to events and activities for presidential candidate George Lillikas coming from his ‘presidential team’,” the letter said.

Constantinou said DIKO safeguards personal data.

“DIKO and these persons have not consented to handing over those data to third parties, especially when [the

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data] is being exploited by others”.

Constantinou told the commissioner that in addition to personal data law violations “possibly it may be arguable that other crimes were committed, the examination of which is of course under your jurisdiction”.

“Please do what must be done and keep us updated,” Constantinou said.

“The announcement from DIKO leadership surprises us,” Lillikas’ electoral office said in response.

“If its goal is to intimidate and enforce political terror, we are left indifferent. We clearly and responsibly declare that we do not have, nor wish to have, DIKO members’ data or that of any other party,” the response said.

The team said that they have been getting in touch with “thousands of members of the public” who have been willingly giving their data online or through events.

“Unlike others, we are not in the habit of asking for party membership IDs or political and ideological statements from the public. If anyone is worried by their voters’ or members’ behaviour, look for the causes on a political level and not a judiciary one.”

“Accept the new reality: the public is free, has a view and cannot be manoeuvred,” Lillikas’ office said.

Lillikas, a former foreign minister, said he was an “independent, non-partisan” who would represent people and would not move strings behind the scenes by “commitments and exchanges”.

3 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

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CYPRUS TODAY

If banks go, it all goes

Beach stabbing

Vassiliou: the war against the banking sector is a war against Cyprus

A 38-year-old man ended up in intensive care at Paphos general hospital in the early hours yesterday after he was knifed at a beach when he told a group to turn down their music.

The Ukrainian, permanent resident of Cyprus, was stabbed in the thorax and his back.

He was driven to hospital after 1am by a member of the public who found him at Potima beach in Kissonerga.

Before going into surgery, the man told police he was at the beach with a Russian woman and had asked two men to turn down music from their car’s radio. “They seem to have immediately attacked him and one of them pulled out a knife and injured him with it,” a police announcement said.

Hit and run A 26-year-old was dragged by a car as she was crossing the street at 4.30am yesterday in Limassol and was left there by the driver.

An eyewitness called the police and the 26-yearold was taken to Limassol general hospital with a head injury.

She has been held overnight because of the seriousness of her condition.

The car’s driver was arrested a few hours after he ran the woman over at 7.10am.

Car crash A 23-year-old man from Larnaca was critically injured at around 3.15am yesterday when he lost control of his car when driving on a road going from Pyrga village towards Psevdas.

Under as yet unknown circumstances, the 23year-old’s car was found overturned in a nearby field.

Because of his condition, he was moved to Nicosia general hospital from Larnaca.

The police think he was not wearing his seatbelt.

continued from page one number of bonds - €5.0 billion-worth combined - despite them being officially considered and promoted as a zero risk investment.

But they couldn’t have bought none at all.

“You cannot operate in a country without buying its bonds,” he said.

He agrees there were “errors in judgement”, although the Popular Bank is a more complicated case.

“The mistake was when they (Popular Bank) agreed to join forces with Marfin Egnatia,” he said.

But the biggest mistake of them all was the decision

by EU leaders to impose a haircut on the Greek debt, he said - a view shared by former Central Bank governor Athanasios Orphanides and other central bankers at the European Central Bank.

The banks can be criticised for buying such a large number of bonds but attacking the sector as a whole would only hurt Cyprus, Vassiliou, said.

The banking sector alone employs around 13,000 people and provides financing to 60,000 businesses.

He said Cyprus’ strength is its financial services sector - which has an unlimited scope for growth - and banks were an integral part.

At 10 per cent, Cyprus has the lowest corporate tax in the EU - a comparative advantage over its peers.

For Vassiliou, it is not just the tax regime but the whole package, which makes Cyprus an attractive base for international firms.

“In my opinion a good tax system cannot stand on its own,” he said.

Companies also need banks, lawyers, accountants and other related services.

“Now, if you destroy the banking sector, you destroy everything,” Vassiliou said.

Half of the around €60 billion deposited in commercial banks is foreign money, he said.

Vassiliou warned that the constant negativity about the sector could make foreign clients to start doubt-

A good tax system cannot stand on its own says former president George Vassiliou

ing the safety and respectability of the banks.

“If foreigners start losing confidence its game over,” he said. “We have to take care of the banking sector.

“In my opinion, priority number one is to stop the blame game,” the former president said, of the sparring between government and opposition.

Vassiliou said the three Cypriot banks - BoC, Popular and Hellenic - had around 211,000 shareholders between them - suggesting that most households owned stock one way or another.

Their stock has seen its value go down the drain in the past couple of years or so. BoC shares traded at €3.40 in 2010, €0.26 today Popular shares were worth €1.53, now €0.08, and Hellenic’s were down to €0.18 from €0.95 in 2010.

“Is there a bigger punishment?” Vassiliou asked.

He said Cyprus now needed everyone to work together and convey the message that Cypriots stand united on matters currently under the focus of officials from the European Commission, the IMF and the European Central Bank, known collectively as the “troika”.

Troika inspectors have been collecting data in a bid to assess how much money Cyprus would need as part of its bailout.

One of the issues concerning the banks is the way non performing loans (NPLs) are defined.

It is understood that banks do not count as nonperforming, any loan that has not been serviced in 90 days but is fully secure. The Troika may want to count them as NPLs. This would immediately raise the amount needed for the banks’ recapitalisation.

There are also the loans backed by shares and property, whose current values are lower than when the agreement was made.

Vassiliou says if provisions are made for all of these, several more billions would be needed and “you are simply making sure that Cyprus would never recover.”

4 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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International companies say low corporate tax rate should remain

Drink safely drive for Brits in Napa

THE majority of international companies in Cyprus think that its low corporate tax rate is what draws in foreign investment, a survey commissioned by accounting firm Baker Tilly has said.

A total of 74 per cent of those asked “believe that the low corporate tax rate in Cyprus (10 per cent) is the main advantage of Cyprus [in attracting] foreign companies and investments,” an announcement said.

British High Commissioner in unlikely territory as he samples Napa’s nightlife for holiday hangover

STRATEGIC A total of 9.0 per cent said Cyprus’ strategic position was its main advantage.

Cyprus, which asked the EU for a bailout in June, has the lowest corporate tax rate in the EU. Earlier this month when a delegation of foreign technocrats visited to assess the state of the economy parties drew a red line on the possibility of raising the tax rate.

The response was reportedly positive raising hopes that when a memorandum

stipulating the size and terms of a loan is issued, the corporate tax will be left untouched.

“The dependence of Cyprus on the provision of services to foreign investors is huge and therefore our corporate tax rate of 10 per cent must be protected at all costs,” said the chief executive officer for Baker Tilly Cyprus, Marios Klitou.

“Any negotiations with the troika mission [the European Commission, the European central bank and the IMF] should focus on other measures for improving the economy,” he said.

“If we increase the rate of corporate tax, the impact on the economy and the future of the whole of Cyprus will be tragic and irreversible.”

A total of 126 people were interviewed over the phone in June, focusing on international companies and organisations active in Cyprus and other companies offering professional services.

The full results have not yet been released.

By Nathan Morley

T

HREE litres of vodka for just €15 and ten ‘free shots’ with every order - just two of the offers from pubs on display as British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd got a first-hand taste of the notorious Ayia Napa square.

His visit to a place famed for binge drinking, brawls and bad behaviour on Monday night came ahead of a British High Commission initiative called “Holiday Hangover - Don’t over do it,” - which supports people having fun, but fun safely.

Whilst in the resort, Kidd held meetings with Ayia Napa’s mayor Antonis Tsokkos and the chief of police Costas Hadjioannou to discuss the campaign, which includes the distribution of wristbands, beer mats and posters that publicise emergency phone

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Downing shots: part and parcel of an evening out in Ayia Napa’s central square numbers for tourists that find themselves in trouble.

“There are tens of thousands of British tourists that come to Ayia Napa every year, and most of them have a very happy time and come back year after year, but it isn’t quite as straight forward as that for all of them. Some get into difficulties,” Kidd told the Sunday Mail.

“I’ve come to try to understand, from talking to the local authorities, how some of those problems arise and what we can do to try stop the problems arising, so that all those who come here go away having had a good visit.”

During their meeting, Tsokkos briefed the High Com-

missioner about his efforts to improve the quality of alcohol being sold in the resort and conducting regular checks on medical services available to tourists.

The Holiday Hangover campaign coincides with a new British foreign office report which points to an increase in British tourists getting into trouble overseas.

According to new figures, there was a 6 per cent rise in arrests worldwide last year, with 6,015 people being handled by British embassies.

The foreign office thinks the rise could be down to resorts popular with UK tourists developing a zero tolerance approach to binge drinking and drugs.

During his carefully managed walkabout accompanied by the chief of police and Vice Consul Christina Smith, Kidd experienced the deafening noise of dance music and the bustle as scores of merry scantily clad teens filled the resorts streets.

As employees of one popular bar hustled young tourists into their pub with the promise of cheap booze, free shots and a good time, one worker from the UK explained how he earned €25 a night, plus one litre of vodka and had a free place to sleep.

The mayor of Ayia Napa applauded the High Commission initiative, but admitted he has grown exasperated with the image that is por-

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Mayor Antonis Tsokkos (left) looking at the ‘Holiday Hangover’ posters

ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY OF CYPRUS Interruption of Supply The Electricity Authority of Cyprus announces that electricity supply will be interrupted between 8:00 and 14:00 on Tuesday 17th of July 2012 in the following areas: Evrychou (part of), Ayios Theodoros SINCE IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WILL BE INTERRUPTED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE PERIOD STATED, INSTALLATIONS IN ALL PREMISES MUST BE REGARDED AS BEING “ALIVE” DURING THESE HOURS. We regret any inconvenience which may be caused by the interruption of supply, but this is necessary due to work on the high voltage system.

5 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Home Investors to sue Popular Bank AROUND 50 investors will file a suit against the Popular Bank for “not revealing the whole truth” to investors regarding the risks behind securities, lawyer Christos Clerides said yesterday.

Popular Bank as well as the Bank of Cyprus - who are in need of state help - have suspended interest payments on securities, as per the conditions of the investment stipulated in bank prospectuses for banks short of capital.

Although the security and exchange commission (CySEC) said that the banks followed regulations by listing risks, it allowed for the possibility that people were not informed by experts, saying that was up to the Central Bank to investigate.

“I don’t care who should have checked what. The point is that people were

Touring the town: Matthew Kidd talking with a young man who works at a pub in central Ayia Napa trayed of the resort, insisting that what happens in the main square tarnishes the reputation of the rest of the town.

Tsokkos said that increasing the number of police was not the answer to what had become a habitual summer problem, saying what was needed was a “change in the tourism sector”.

“It’s a product that has been created in the centre, which is not representative of Ayia Napa. It’s not possible that

‘It is a small percentage of youths that cause the problems’ an area in the middle of the town which caters for 2,500 people represents a resort which has 25,000 tourists,” he told the Sunday Mail.

“It’s not my fault that from all of the nationalities that arrive in Cyprus, that the British press and the British tour operators want to promote Ayia Napa in such a way. It is not fair.”

Ayia Napa has long been a favourite resort with young British tourists, but the mayor says just a fraction of the arrivals are attracted by cheap drinks and a raucous nightlife - which he says is confined to the central square.

“These people are a curse, they come for four days and spoil a product which starts in April and ends in Novem-

ber. Only 25 per cent of our arrivals are British, most of those are families with children,” he said. “It is a small percentage of youths and young people that cause the problems.”

He said a crackdown on companies and bars that encourage drunkenness among young tourists could help, adding that the availability of cheap alcohol was fuelling the problems.

The new FCO report concluded that more than half of people getting into trouble worldwide are less than 34 years old, with Matthew Kidd adding that a British passport does not make tourists immune to local laws.

“The authorities in a place like Ayia Napa want to keep their resort having a good reputation, and that does mean if there is disorderly behaviour they’ll want to do something about it. And if it leads to consular problems, such as people losing their passports, getting ill or having problems we want to help stamp it out as well,” he said.

Kidd said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were increasingly concerned with making young Britons more responsible travellers and avoiding the kind of incidents which can sour relationships between locals and tourists.

A spokesman for Ayia Napa police admitted that tackling drunken violence was a major issue during the summer months, but was quick to add that drunkenness is a state not solely practised by the British.

“Actually, it would be wrong to suggest that it’s a British phenomenon, many young people including Russians, Scandinavians and others cause trouble when they have had too much to drink,” he said.

Cyprus marks 38 years since coup THE ISLAND marks the anniversary of the 1974 July 15 coup and subsequent invasion today.

The coup, engineered by the Greek military junta then ruling Greece, was followed by the Turkish invasion five days later, which resulted in the occupation of Cyprus’ northern third.

The wailing of sirens are expected at around 8.20am today, the same time that the coup occurred 38 years earlier.

Ruling AKEL yesterday condemned “the fascist coup of July 15 1974” and all those that took part. They also condemned and denounced the Turkish invasion, continued occupation and everything that followed, as well as “Turkey’s policy and the Turkish Cypriot leadership that perpetuates the Cyprus problem and consolidates partition”.

given inadequate advice,” Clerides said.

He added that since CySEC had approved the bank prospectuses in the first place, “it is hardly the body to blame the bank. That would be the job of the court.”

Clerides said that they will sue Popular Bank as an entity, including the people on its board at the time and the investment experts responsible for advising people on the matter.

Clerides said that the extent of the risk in Popular Bank board’s business involvement in Greece was not clear.

Popular Bank chairman at the time, Andreas Vgenopoulos, resigned last year following a tenure which in 2008 and 2009 resulted in Popular Bank – then Marfin Popular Bank – amassing considerable Greek debt in the form of loans and investments.

6 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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Quadriplegic woman defies the odds and becomes a mother for a second time

By Jacqueline Agathocleous ’VE done everything I would have done if I were walking; I just did it differently.” This pretty much sums up Eleni Koudounari, the first quadriplegic woman to give birth in Cyprus.

Koudounari had her second child, daughter Dahlia, at Limassol General Hospital on Wednesday morning surrounded by her husband and a medical team.

Little Dahlia, who is still in an incubator after being born at 35 weeks, was taken off the drip on Thursday and needs to gain just 200 grams in weight before the family can take her home. The birth, which was considered so risky no private doctor would agree to take Koudounari on, went really well, and Dahlia didn’t even need to be placed on a respirator.

“She is doing very well,” Koudounari told the Sunday Mail on Friday. “I don’t know who she looks like, but when I ordered her, I wanted her to have my husband’s blue eyes – because he’s got very beautiful blue eyes – and my nose because he doesn’t have a nice nose. I think the nose looks like it’s there, but with the eyes you can’t really tell yet.”

The new mum, who didn’t wish to reveal her age, has been a quadriplegic since 1989, when the car she was riding passenger in overturned after the driver fell asleep.

“There were four of us in the car.

I was passenger in the front seat with the seatbelt on and we all fell asleep, even the driver. The car overturned and I knocked my spine on the roof of the car and I broke my spinal cord,” said Koudounari who was living in South Africa at the time.

She became a quadriplegic, from a T6 to a T7 level, which means she has partial use of her arms, though her hands have little strength in them.

She also has full head and neck movement, normal shoulder movement and full use of her wrists and fingers. However, her lower body and legs are completely paralysed.

Koudounari refuses to let what happened prevent her from living life to the full.

“I don’t think I have many choices. It is either sit back and do nothing and vegetate or carry on with life,” she said. “The second option is obviously the better one.”

Having a new baby, especially when it is later on in life, is daunting at the best of times. But Koudounari, who was born in South Africa along with her sister to Greek Cypriot parents and lived there until 2006, is refreshingly upbeat over the task ahead.

While she admits to having a strong support system in place to help her with Dahlia - her husband, relatives, friends and a domestic helper - she is determined to do as much as she can herself.

“I’ll need a lot of help and I’ll have a lot of help,” she said. “I’ll do whatever I can and the rest everyone else will have to do for me.”

Koudounari’s second pregnancy was much harder than her first, despite her son - who is 20 years old - being born just two years after the accident.

“With my son, the pregnancy was very different. I think because it was so early (after the accident) my body hadn’t quite come to understand it had gone through this major change.”

In fact, the first time Koudounari didn’t even know she was pregnant until she was four months gone. She said this was “because they said I would never have children because of the shock to my system”.

She only realised she was pregnant because she kept fainting.

“I have low blood pressure and the pregnancy brought it further

New mum Eleni Koudounari with her own mother in Limassol hospital where she gave birth

“I

Making sure life carries on down so I kept fainting. I didn’t have any nausea or vomiting, I didn’t have any pain and then I gave birth and that was it. But with my daughter it was very different; a very difficult pregnancy. I think age had a lot to do with.”

Straight from the start of her second pregnancy, Koudounari had nausea and sickness all day and night, right up to her caesarean.

She also had a lot of pain, which meant she spent a large part of her pregnancy in hospital. “I was one week in hospital and two weeks at home. So it was very stressful.”

At this point, her doctor, Yiannos Pavlides, walked in to see how she was getting along and the special relationship between the two is instantly evident.

With a broad smile on his face, he asked her how she was feeling.

“He has taken care of me from day one,” said Koudounari.

Her doctor was equally impressed. “She was a very good patient; yes, she wanted to know absolutely everything, but she was also patient, unlike the rest of us Cypriots,” he said. “Although whenever we saw her we would always put her first. But she never came herself to ask to be given priority.”

The doctor said this was the first time the hospital - or any other Cypriot hospital - had faced such a case. “We were a bit more concerned to see what would hap-

‘I’ve done everything I think I would’ve done, even if I wasn’t in an accident’

pen, how she would do, how she would give birth, if she would feel the contractions, as she can’t feel much.”

But in the end, Koudounari did feel enough for the doctors to opt for a spinal injection as means of anaesthetisation.

Both mum and doctor said they were very pleased with the end result.

Koudounari couldn’t stress enough how happy she was with the way Limassol hospital’s medical staff took care of her.

“Obviously they had more concerns, because they didn’t know how I’d react, 20 years later, my body had changed,” she explained.

“The hospital was wonderful. No private doctor would actually take the risk with me”.

And of course, Koudounari says she couldn’t have done it without the support of her husband, Ezzat, whom she married five years ago. He was always there with a bucket when she felt nauseous day and night - and generally to help her get about.

“He is truly wonderful. He is one of those rare people. I don’t know how he finds the patience to deal with everything,” said Koudounari.

Koudounari has recognised an improvement in Cypriots’ awareness of disabled people over the past few years, though she admits, there is still a lot of room for

improvement.

Quite nonchalantly, she told me how a few years ago she was run over in her wheelchair. An inconsiderate driver had parked his car on the pavement, forcing her to wheel her chair out on to the road where she was hit by another car.

“People generally are very, very helpful, but they sometimes don’t think. They’ll park in a disabled parking space, without thinking they could just walk. But I think they are more aware now of people with disabilities.”

As I get up to go, feeling inspired and humbled by this amazing presence, I tell her just that. But she wasn’t impressed.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything different to what any other woman has done,” she told me.

She said she wanted to have a second child and just did it.

“I’ve done everything I think I would’ve done, even if I wasn’t in an accident. I studied when I wanted to study. They said I would never drive, I would never do lots of things and I’ve done everything they said I wouldn’t. I travelled, I drive, I had children,” said Koudounari, who has two bachelor degrees - one in commerce and information systems and another in psychology - and managed an auditing company’s call centre in South Africa.

“Life carries on. Life doesn’t stop because something unpleasant happens to you.”

7 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

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Early sales period aims to lift market But consumers are hanging on for bigger discounts ALES posters are everywhere and prices have been slashed in most shops – the sales period started early this year due to the crisis but whether the move has whipped customers into a shopping frenzy is another matter, with most shoppers watching how much they spend and smaller shops noticing a drop in business.

This year the sales started on July 2, and will end on August 23 – they normally start on the first Monday of August – to give the market a boost during the current climate. According to an official at the Commerce Ministry, the sales law contains provisions which allow the minister to start sales earlier than the beginning of August (or February) if asked to do so by shop owners and if it helps boost the market. “They always start it one or two weeks earlier but this year it started four weeks earlier because of the crisis,” said the official.

Naturally the effects of the recession are being felt more palpably by smaller stores, but many felt that the situation could be a lot worse.

“The market is moving but at a reduced rate and I’m sure I’m not the first to say this,” said an employee at Pasarella clothes store on Nicosia’s central Ledra Street, Yiulia Hadjidou.

“We don’t have too much to complain about though,” she added.

Kypros Evangelides, who owns Ledras 85, said they had had to severely slash their prices, even all the way down to cost price. “We’ve reduced our prices and some of them now are at cost price because we want to keep our customers,” he said, adding that “we’re not unhappy”. He said also helping those on Ledra was the fact that so many stores have closed down on Makarios Avenue, what used to be the main shopping street in Nicosia.

Slightly bigger stores such as shoe store Bata, who have shops islandwide reiterated a similar sentiment.

“Work has fallen, people are buying though,” said Mzia Baramidze, an employee at their Ledra Street store, adding that the crisis is affecting them too. However she did suggest that the lack of customers could also be due to people waiting for prices to drop even further.

An employee at Fox clothing stores reassured that they have had no problem with their customers as their sales prices are so good. “People are buying more especially since our offers are 40 per cent off… this helps,” said Michalis Philippakis.

Many shoppers however want better bargains, with some saying that generally

S

they’re watching the pennies.

“There was very little (that I wanted to buy) but of course we’re careful with our money,” said Alexandra Deliyianni, who also felt that the prices were not low enough.

Dominique Christou agreed saying they simply do not have the money to spend even in the sales.

“We didn’t find anything because we don’t have the money,” said Christou.

Questioned on the prices of the goods available she said: “They’re good but not good enough.”

However, another shopper, Ali Nebih, said that he waits specifically for the sales to do all his shopping. “The prices are low enough… we wait for the sales and then we buy,” said Nebih.

Bigger stores, however, claim that they are faring well given the circumstances.

“As soon as the sales started the market started moving… we feel positive… it looks good despite what we hear and despite difficult times,” said The Mall of Cyprus’ marketing manager, Nektarios Vilanides.

‘The market is moving but at a reduced rate and I’m sure I’m not the first to say this’ Emilios Epaminondas, head of marketing at the Ermes Group (which includes Debenhams and Next) echoed him. “Sales are good for the season (and) the market’s moving,” he said.

But general manager at Mallouppas and Papacostas, which brings clothing stores such as Calzedonia, Mango and Stradivarius, described the market as “numb”.

“It’s not great; with all these things that people are hearing they’re reserved with what they buy,” he said. “The market is down and it’s a combination of the real and psychological,” he said, adding that the general economic climate creates ‘insecurity and reservations.’

Meanwhile, deputies at the House Commerce Committee discussed last week – and will continue in September – an update of the sales law with a view to issuing administrative fines

as opposed to many of the cases ending up in court for years. The current law provides for a €2,500 fine and/or six months in jail for stores that hold sales outside of the allocated time. The amendments to the law would provide for a €100,000 administrative fine and then the store would be fined an additional amount for every day they continued to break the law.

However, small business union POVEK called on

parliament to look into the participation of DIKO vice chairman Nicolas Papadopoulos in the discussions saying that he had a conflict of interest, as his law office represents the Ermes Group who often hold sales outside of the allocated season. Nevertheless Papadopoulos said that he clearly stated his relation with the group but also that the sales law is antiquated and violates the acquis communitaire.

The ministry can start sales periods early to boost market

The Hiltonia Summer Junior Club 2012 begins on June 25 and ends on August 3 for children between the age of 5 and 12. Lessons and activities consist of small groups of children starting from 08:15 to 13:00, Monday to Friday. Supervision of the children is also provided before activities, at 07:45, and after activities until 15:00.

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8 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Home

Basic infrastructural problems of public transport were never solved, bus rep says

By Poly Pantelides

On the buses

N

ICOSIA’S public bus network, extensively overhauled only in 2010, is doomed to fail because of endemic problems that can no longer be solved, a representative from the Nicosia Buses company said this week.

“It’s too late to fix mistakes,” said Sophocles Markides who represents one of the major shareholders of Nicosia Buses, which was set up in 1971 and still runs routes with a fleet of almost 130 buses.

Recent events seem to reflect his pessimism. Bus drivers went on strike earlier this year because they hadn’t been paid their wages. The companies said the government was not paying them their fuel subsidies on time, creating a liquidity problem.

Communications Minister Efthymios Flourentzos said they needed to adjust the rate they paid per kilometre saying it was set too high because when it was agreed in 2010, “no data existed”.

The 2012 budget for public transport, meanwhile, was reduced to €46 million from €68 million, which bus companies said will only cover fuel costs.

Back in 2009, Nicosia Buses opted out of joining the Nicosia arm of the islandwide revamped public system, even though they were an obvious candidate because they had the majority of existing routes and the most buses.

They were concerned that the government had failed to address fundamental issues such as who would be in charge of routes; what bus lanes would be built and where, and how the new bus companies would be formed.

Nor could the company accept that fares could be set at one euro per single journey, which the government insisted on, when it was clear to them, this just was not viable. In addition the company felt the whole process was rushed and haphazard “We were totally confused and didn’t have time to negotiate or find out more. As a

ONE prominent problem with the bus network in Nicosia becomes obvious by looking at its map route.

For example, to get from Engomi - close to the city centre - to the general hospital, lying close to the edge, a person needs to take at least two buses, but sometimes three.

Depending on the time you go, the journey can take as little as 21 minutes to over an hour.

“I would definitely not do this. A visit to the hospital would be timeconsuming enough without having to take public transport. Who has that time to spare anyway?”

29-year-old Chara Loizidou said when asked if she would use buses in Nicosia.

Loizidou said she has used public transport abroad - in Europe because it’s “quick and efficient.”

Driving a private car for the same journey takes around half an hour. w w w. c y p r u s b y b u s . com helps bus users plan routes

A bus network ‘doomed’ to fail result, shareholders decided to opt out,” Markides said.

“We never got a clear answer, and what followed was chaos.”

When Nicosia Buses turned down the contract it agreed to compensation for opting out of the scheme which saw the creation of OSEL, the

Nicosia bus company which now runs the public network. Individual shareholders make up each district’s umbrella outfit and charge the government to use their buses and to run routes.

Six bus companies were created, one for intercity routes and five for Cyprus’ districts - Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and Famagusta. Each company has a ten-year contract with the state.

The government pays companies a rate per kilometre and also leases the buses which comprise the bus network. This is another bone of contention for Markides. The Nicosia Bus company’s buses were small and would have been less costly for the government to lease. They were also more suited to many of Nicosia’s smaller streets.

The government decided that at 15 years old, the fleet was too old and ended up leasing bigger, more fuel hungry buses from other, smaller companies that, according to Markides, “probably thought they found a goldmine”.

There are strong signs that this ‘goldmine’ is now exhausted.

For Markides, the current disarray means a chance to genuinely improve public transport has been lost.

“Many efforts were made [before 2010] to convince the government it needed to change its policy in regards to public transport and urban planning,” said Markides.

“There was no infrastructure, no urban planning, no bus lanes or bus stops.”

He said cities were not be-

One of the large new buses in a scrape with a car on one of Nicosia’s many narrow streets ing built to accommodate the way people moved: public services were scattered all over cities and people were encouraged to own a private car.

“The point is to get a Cypriot businessman to use a bus rather than his car,” he said adding that unless the infrastructure is in place to make buses easy for people to use “you will only get the people who anyway use buses”.

His point is obvious: most people who use buses in Nicosia are either domestic workers or elderly people

who have no choice.

To Markides, the suggestion that buses are for domestic workers is “racist and obscene”.

“Buses are for everyone,” he said.

He said that other cities, such as Limassol, are not as affected by what he describes.

Nicosia, for example, does not have Famagusta’s tourists or Limassol’s cosmopolitan nature: as a generalisation it is a city of lawyers, accountants and civil servants.

To add insult to injury, Markides said the compensation promised Nicosia Buses has not yet been paid. On Friday, the company sent a letter to Communications Minister Efthymios Flourentzos asking for their full settlement.

Although the state had promised 9.0 million euros, the company claims the formula used to work that out had underestimated the amount by 8.0 million euros.

The company said it will go to the European Commission and report a multitude of sins, if they put off paying them any longer or pay others before them.

“If we knew that two years later the government would pay absolutely nothing there is no way we would have accepted,” said Markides.

Flourentzos could not be reached for comment.

Nicos Nicolaides, the EDEK deputy who was communications minister in 2010 thinks that despite the ongoing debt crisis and infrastructure problems the bus network can survive.

“We must not give up,” he said. “It’s unthinkable not to have a public transport network.”

Although government officials and insiders say no studies had been done to help create the transport system, Nicolaides was adamant that many studies and action plans had been put together.

“There were very many studies, many action plans, drawers full of them,” Nicolaides said.

“But some [people] - and you can quote me on that - needed to implement the studies. That’s another issue.”

For self-proclaimed pessimist Markides, the currently cash-strapped state “can’t afford” to build the infrastructure and network that should have already been in place.

The state has been “arrogant from ignorance,” he said.

9 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

World

demands Afghan wedding party Romney Obama apologise target of suicide attack over Bain assertion Anti-Taliban official, 22 guests are among dead

By Bashar Ahmad A SUICIDE bomber killed a prominent anti-Taliban politician and 22 other guests at a wedding reception in the northern Afghan province of Samangan yesterday, officials said.

The bomber blew himself up as he hugged lawmaker Ahmad Khan Samangani, who was celebrating his daughter’s marriage, police said.

The blast also killed the provincial intelligence chief and a senior police commander.

Samangani was close to Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, and commanded thousands of men in the area.

The Uzbeks are part of an uneasy coalition of minority tribes that fight the Taliban in their area.

The attack, among the most lethal in recent months, raises the risk of greater insecurity in the relatively peaceful province, analysts said.

At least 23 people were killed and 60 others wounded, said a statement from President Hamid Karzai condemning the attack.

“The enemies of Afghanistan once again targeted mujahideen figures who strive for national unity,” Karzai said.

The wounded were in critical condition and the death

The scene inside a damaged wedding hall, where a suicide bomber detonated himself yesterday in Aybak city, capital of Samangan province (AFP) toll could rise, said regional police spokesman Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai.

Samangani had told guards at the party not to inconvenience guests with security searches, said provincial police chief Khalil Andarabi.

The Taliban, which has been behind a series of suicide attacks this year, denied responsibility. The group often distances itself from attacks with high civilian death tolls.

“We don’t have a hand in this,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “Ahmad Khan (Samangani) was a former commander of the mujahideen, he was notorious and many people could have had problems with him.”

Samangani, an ethnic Uzbek, fought against the Soviets in the 1980s, and against

the Taliban during their 19962001 rule. He may have had enemies other than the Taliban, said Kabul-based political analyst Waheed Mujhda.

“Former warlords have frequently been targeted in the past,” he said. “Ahmad Khan Samangani was a strongman in terms of security for Samangan province. His loss will certainly affect security in that region.”

Witnesses described scenes of carnage.

“I saw parts of bodies, blood all over the reception,” said Ahmad Jawed, a guest at the wedding. “Many wounded people were crying for help.”

Afghanistan is experiencing some of the worst violence since the Taliban government was toppled by US-led Afghan forces more than a decade ago.

Chavez: Venezuela no threat, Obama a good guy PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez denied on Friday that Venezuela was a threat to anyone, after US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticised Barack Obama for playing down the risk posed by the socialist leader.

Obama told a Spanish-language television station in an interview screened this week that Chavez’s actions over recent years had not had a serious impact on the national security of the United States.

Romney said Obama’s comments were “stunning and shocking” and showed a pattern of weakness in the Democratic president’s foreign policy.

In an interview with a local Venezuelan television station on Friday, Chavez dismissed the allegations he posed any danger.

“The Venezuela of today is no threat to anyone,” he said.

“It has all been a hoax by the imperialists and global far right: that uranium is being enriched in Venezuela, that we’re setting up missiles here, that we’re supporting terrorism.”

Chavez, whose stridently anti-Washington

politics are highly popular in his OPEC nation, has expanded ties with Iran while the United States and other nations have increased their pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Iran denies Western charges it wants to build nuclear weapons. When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Caracas in January, he and Chavez lavished praise on each other, mocked US disapproval and joked about having an atomic bomb.

Late last year Obama told a Venezuelan newspaper the US had no intention of intervening in Venezuela’s foreign relations - but he believed the government’s ties with Iran and Cuba had not benefited the Venezuelan people.

With both Chavez and Obama running for re-election this year, Chavez struck a conciliatory tone, saying the comments needed to seen in context.

“Obama is campaigning. He’s a candidate ...

I think that Barack Obama - aside from ‘the president’ - is a good guy,” he said.

In a separate incident yesterday, a police official was gunned down in the southern city of Kandahar, the governor’s spokesman said.

On Friday, a car bomb killed a leading female politician, Hanifa Safi. No one has claimed responsibility.

REPUBLICAN presidential candidate Mitt Romney struck back on Friday against attacks over his business record that are pulling him further away from his campaign message that the White House is mishandling the economy.

In a blitz of television interviews, Romney demanded an apology from President Barack Obama for his campaign’s assertion that the Republican may have committed a felony by misrepresenting his position at private equity firm Bain Capital.

“It’s ridiculous,” Romney told Fox News in response to the charge. “And of course it’s beneath the dignity of the presidency and of his campaign.”

The Republican challenger has appeared flatfooted in beating back Democrats’ accusations that he was involved in firing workers and outsourcing U.S. jobs to foreign countries while at Bain Capital.

Romney has slipped in opinion polls ahead of the November 6 election and his campaign added two Washington veterans to its media relations team on Friday after criticism from fellow Republicans for communications missteps.

Romney was booed by a mostly black audience at the NAACP annual convention this week and earlier gave out mixed messages about whether a key part of Obama’s healthcare law does or does not create a new tax.

What drew Romney’s ire on Friday was a charge from Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter that he might have committed a felony by giving wrong information to the Securities and Exchange Commission about how long he spent at Bain.

Romney told ABC News “He (Obama) sure as heck ought to say that he’s sorry for the kinds of attacks that are coming from his team,” Romney said.

Romney was put on the spot by a Boston Globe newspaper report citing federal documents as showing he was listed as Bain CEO and sole shareholder in the three years to 2002, a time when he says he no longer ran the company.

The timing matters because Obama’s campaign has accused him of being responsible for the firing of workers and bankruptcies at Bainowned companies during those years.

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Sylvester Stallone son found dead in Hollywood home ASPIRING actor and filmmaker Sage Stallone, the son of action movie star Sylvester Stallone, was found dead on Friday at his home in Hollywood, authorities and his attorney said.

Police and a lawyer for Sage Stallone, 36, the younger of two sons from his father’s first marriage, gave conflicting accounts of how he was

found, but police said there was no sign of forced entry or foul play.

LA police spokesman Lieutenant Andy Neiman said police found the younger Stallone’s body in the home while responding to a call to check on his well-being. He said the case was turned over to the county coroner’s office.

Attorney George Braun-

stein said he was found by a housekeeper.

“There was some concern that his family and friends hadn’t heard from him in the past day, and that’s why the housekeeper went over there and opened up the house,” the lawyer said. “It’s a tragedy. He was a young, talented extremely good filmmaker and a lovely person.”

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10 July 15 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

World French aid worker freed in Yemen

‘Rights abuses by Syrian rebels too’

A FRENCH aid worker kidnapped in northern Yemen nearly three months ago by armed men has been released and is in good health, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said yesterday.

Benjamin Malbrancke was abducted on April 21 near the town of Hodeida.

Referring to an al Qaedalinked cell, ICRC spokesman Hicham Hassan told Reuters in Geneva: “He was handed over to ICRC representatives by Ansar al-Sharia on Friday. We don’t know who the abductors were.”

Ansar al-Sharia swears allegiance to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which US officials have called the most dangerous offshoot of the militant network.

Asked whether any ransom had been paid for his release, Hassan said the ICRC had a clear policy of not paying ransom. “We did our best through regular means and channels of communication to find a positive resolution to this crisis.”

In June, a Yemeni employee of the ICRC was killed by an air strike in Abyan province.

But incidents of government violence are far worse, says Human Rights investigator

By Lauren French SOME Syrian rebel fighters are committing human rights abuses as they battle the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, although these incidents pale in comparison to the government’s campaign of violence, a senior human rights investigator said on Friday.

Donatella Rovera, an investigator with the rights group Amnesty International who recently spent several weeks in Syria, said it was clear that some opposition supporters had resorted to brutal tactics as they target members of the security forces.

“They capture people, we’ve seen evidence of them having beaten them up ... and in some cases they have killed them,” Rovera told Reuters.

“Can it get much worse? It certainly can.”

The strength of the armed

opposition is growing, she said earlier in a speech at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, and as clashes intensify, individual members are lashing out and committing human rights abuses by beating, detaining and killing Assad’s soldiers.

Amnesty International is tracking these abuses in part by the YouTube videos members of the Free Syrian Army post online when they interview detainees.

Rovera stressed that the government was largely to blame for the escalating violence in Syria, saying Assad’s forces have targeted whole villages in their attempt to suppress the spreading rebellion.

In the latest reported massacre, the opposition said, government forces attacked the village of Tremseh in the rebellious Hama region with helicopters, artillery and tanks on Thursday.

Opposition sources put the death toll at anywhere from 100 to more than 200, although no independent account of the attack has surfaced.

Syrian state television blamed the deaths on “armed terrorist groups.” Damascus has repeatedly said that it faces a foreign-backed insurgency waged by disparate groups including forces aligned with al Qaeda.

Rovera said Amnesty International’s reports out of Syria indicated that pro-Assad fighters had in some instances burned up to half of the homes and most clinics in towns to root out rebels, and are increasingly targeting unarmed civilians, including medical teams treating wounded rebels that have been barred from hospitals.

She said three medical aides were found dead in the city of Aleppo.

“The three were arrested

A Syrian Arab News Agency image shows Syrian policemen inspecting the site of a car bomb explosion on Mazzeh highway in Damascus (AFP) and after a week, their bodies were found with clear marks of torture. Their nails had been pulled off, their teeth missing ... and their bodies had been set on fire,” Rovera said.

“It was to give a clear message that it is not a good idea to engage in these types of humanitarian tasks.”

The UN Security Council is expected to vote next week on extending the mandate of UN observers in Syria, whose original mission was to monitor a ceasefire that never

took hold.

Rovera said it was important that the observers be allowed to stay on to help collect information on rights violations.

“The time for impunity is over,” she said.

Violence in Syria has been escalating since protests erupted in March 2011. The unrest has killed more than 17,000 rebels, civilians and government forces, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Ponta pursues plans to remove rival ROMANIA’S ruling party plans to extend voting in a referendum on whether to impeach the president to two days from one, a senior politician has said, seeking to boost voter turnout and minimise the risk of failure in its efforts to drive him out.

Leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s campaign against conservative President Traian Basescu, his long-time political rival, has drawn criticism from the European Union which sees a threat to democratic rule of law in the Balkan state.

The change in voting time would increase the chances that voter turnout at the July 29 referendum will exceed 50 per cent.

Ponta has scrapped this threshold to validate referendums and is under pressure from the EU to reintroduce it. But he has baulked at giving a clear signal of whether he will or not and repeated on Friday that it was not up to him.

The proposal came just a day after EU leaders met with Ponta in Brussels and rebuked him for undermining constitutional checks and balances in his campaign to dislodge Basescu.

Parliament, which is dominated by Ponta’s Social Liberal Union (USL), will decide on the proposed change at extraordinary sessions to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, lawmakers said.

“It’s the parliament’s right to decide,” Senator Ilie Sarbu, Ponta’s father-in-law and leader of his party’s senators, was quoted as saying by the state news agency Agerpres.

“It can decide an additional day...so that people are not time-pressured.”

Church compensation bill approved THE Czech Republic is to return property seized from churches during the 19481989 communist era under legislation approved by its lower house of parliament on Friday, a major step towards ending years of wrangling over the fate of the assets.

Under a plan agreed by the ruling parties and 17 religious groups led by the Catholic church, the government intends to give back most confiscated assets, mainly land and buildings worth some $4 billion, plus about $2.8 billion in cash compensation split into 30 annual payments.

The plan may cause a one-off jump in the budget deficit of 1.5 per cent of gross domestic product, the central bank has assessed, as all future payments would be accounted for immediately.

Prime Minister Petr Necas’ centre-right government has impressed investors with steps to narrow the budget deficit and plans to overhaul the pension, health and welfare systems. But it nearly collapsed over the church restitution plan, a divisive decision in an era of tax increases and spending cuts needed to narrow the budget deficit.

11 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

World

End of an era as BBC bids good-bye to majestic home For over 70 years the art-deco Bush House was the beating heart of the BBC’s overseas service and was a bastion of press freedom all around the world

By Maria Golovnina AT noon London time on Thursday, Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history.

At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London.

For more than 70 years the art-deco building was the beating heart of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s overseas service and a bastion of press freedom around the world.

From here King George V addressed the Empire in 1932, Charles de Gaulle defied the Nazis, and legions of emigrés sent news in dozens of languages to the unmistakeable introductory strains of Lilliburlero, its signature tune.

Setting off a wave of nostalgia, the BBC has decided to move the operation to a gleaming new office in London as part of its efforts to bring all of its broadcasting teams under one roof.

With a warren of meandering corridors, soaring halls and marble stairs, the majestic Bush House has already been mostly abandoned, with the last team of journalists leaving officially on Thursday after the final bulletin.

“It’s spooky. It does feel bereft,” said Andrew Whitehead, a former South Asia correspondent who has worked for the BBC since 1981, his footsteps echoing in the building’s hollow silence.

“Part of me feels sad.

Bush House has meant something. You would say: ‘I work at Bush House’.

You don’t say: ‘I work at the BBC World Service’.”

Marking the birth of Britain’s broadcasting tradition, the BBC’s Empire Service, as it was known at the time, was launched in 1932, helped by new radio technology that allowed it to send signals over vast distances.

Its boss at the time was not very optimistic, quipping once that its pro-

From its grand location off the Strand in central London, Bush House witnessed every turn of history throughout the drama of the 20th century

Nostalgia: marking the birth of Britain’s broadcasting tradition, the BBC’s Empire Service, as it was known at the time, was launched in 1932 grammes would “neither be very interesting nor very good”. Yet it expanded fast, soon beaming news in dozens of languages into some of the world’s most

far flung corners.

From its grand location off the Strand in central London, Bush House witnessed every turn of history throughout the drama

‘From Bush House King George V addressed the Empire in 1932, Charles de Gaulle defied the Nazis, and legions of emigrés sent news in dozens of languages to the unmistakeable introductory strains of Lilliburlero, its signature tune’ of the 20th century, its culture shaped by the gripping years that followed WorldWar Two. It has been described as an organism in itself with

a United Nations - like atmosphere where journalists from all over the world rubbed shoulders in its polyglot canteen.

“I certainly remember

that very strong physical impression and the smell of the place from the very first time I went there,” said Peter Horrocks, the BBC’s Director of Global News.

“It’s a building that inspires huge affection and emotion especially for the staff who have come from around the world, many of whom are exiles and people who can’t go back to their countries of origin.

It provides something of a refuge.”

This is the building from which General Charles de Gaulle sent daily support messages to the Free French movement after France fell to Nazi Germany in 1940.

It is also the place whose labyrinthine corridors and newsrooms are said to have inspired British author George Orwell to form his vision of the Ministry of Truth in his novel 1984 describing a totalitarian future society.

Millions of listeners around the world, from Nigeria to Pakistan, feel they know the place personally after countless programmes introduced with the words ‘From Bush House in London”’ For both friends and foes, Bush House was a powerful symbol.

At the height of the Cold War, Russian spies were specifically instructed to listen to its bulletins - with anti-Soviet bits meticulously cut out - as part of their training, according to Oleg Gordievsky, a double agent in the KGB. The BBC says the move to a new office building is necessary because it wants to encourage efficiency and creativity through new and better broadcasting technology.

“It’s an old building now.

It’s not fit for purpose,” said Horrocks. “People want to carry their memories and the spirit of Bush House with them into a new environment and modern technology.”

At the end of the day, listeners may not notice any difference. But for many it is still an emotional moment.”

12 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Opinion

Time for widespread bank bashing to stop THE CONCERTED campaign by the government and AKEL to blame all the country’s economic woes on the banks appears to be bearing fruit. The banks have become an easy target for anyone who wants a little public attention as the latest attacks by the politicians, media and other pundits have shown. It is a convenient way of diverting attention from the fact that the state is technically bankrupt and is unable to raise the €500 million it requires to repay loans due for settlement over the next few weeks.

This is not to say the banks have been faultless. Far from it, their problems are self-inflicted, caused by reckless expansion policies, the granting of easy credit during the boom years and unwise investments, the purchase of vast amounts of Greek government bonds the prime example. Billions are now needed for the re-capitalisation of the banks which are squeezing

businesses through high interest rates and tight restrictions on credit facilities, putting the country deeper into recession.

There is no doubt the banks’ top management and their boards have badly let down the country, causing huge damage to the economy. But does it serve any useful purpose to keep attacking the banks now that they are trying to put their affairs in order and make a new start? In the last week, politicians from all parties turned on the banks over the capital securities that were sold to customers with the promise of a seven per cent interest rate. Buyers of these convertible bonds are now complaining that they had been duped because the value has gone down and no interest was paid this year.

But were they duped? There may have been bank employees who encouraged customers to buy this investment product, but both banks provided prospectuses listing all the risks as well

Cyprus Mail

as the terms and conditions.

Why did the buyers of this risky product not read the prospectus provided and are now claiming they had been deceived? And the populist politicians have wasted no time in taking up the cause, increasing the pressure on the banks by urging people to take legal action.

This is in line with the general anti-bank sentiment cultivated by the government and AKEL, which at every opportunity, misleadingly claim that the banks’ recapitalisation was the only reason Cyprus applied for a bailout. This is a blatant lie, because even if the banks were in rude good health, the state would still have had to be bailed out as a consequence of the government’s profligacy and grossly incompetent management of the economy.

Panicos Demetriades, the new Governor of the Central Bank, an AKEL appointee loyally following the party’s diktats, has given legitimacy to the public attacks on the banks, arguing that they should be made smaller and promising to bring in foreign experts to investigate their loan portfolios, thus implying there is something wrong. But even if this was the case and inspections a necessity, he should have dealt with it confidentially rather than made it a public issue. Was his main concern to serve AKEL’s propaganda campaign?

Surely a Governor’s primary responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of the banking system, safeguard its public standing and maintain people’s trust in it. But Demetriades’ public pronouncements seem aimed at wrecking what little confidence there still is in the banks. And now he is being aided, not just by AKEL and the

government but also populists from other parties.

These attacks on the banks must stop now, because the way the Governor and the politicians are talking might spark a run on the banks that nobody would be able to control. Even the low corporate tax that everyone wants to safeguard will be of no value if this mindless war on the banks frightens foreign businessmen and makes them take their deposits and operations abroad.

Is this what Demetriades, his AKEL backers and the rest of the populists want to happen?

If we destroy our banks the Cyprus economy would not just collapse, it would be obliterated.

We assume nobody wants this to happen – not even Demetriades and AKEL – which is why everyone should cut the mindless rhetoric and focus on helping the banks’ recovery. They might not deserve this support, but it is what the national interest dictates.

Letters to the Editor

What kind of mindset could motivate an arsonist to act?

No law will change late payments to suppliers

ON Tuesday 3 July I witnessed the terrible and tragic scenes of the Akamas burning all day.

I also witnessed the timely, efficient, effective and professional responses of the emergency firefighting teams, both on the ground and in the air, attempting to minimise the awful damage which was being caused by the fires and which were threatening the village of Neo Chorio, local habitations, farming and forested areas.

It appeared that the prevailing north-easterly winds which picked up around 9am fuelled the fire and drove it towards the Akamas forest area, whereas usually the prevailing winds come from the west.

During the late afternoon of Wednesday July 4 I went to Agios

by giving proper graded and standardised results, so that year on year, one will know that someone with the top grades is genuinely a smart cookie. In that respect, the system should be more than just about the ability to recite facts and perhaps something akin to a WISC test should be used as part of the system.

Or is the objection to this that standardising the system to achieve year on year consistency in measurement will show up that the educational system is not delivering the goods?

THE legislation proposed to tackle late payment of suppliers is a complete waste of time - there is no way this situation can be brought under control!

With the large retail groups who keep their suppliers waiting up to a year (sometimes longer) for payment - when they receive cash in their tills on a daily basis - there will be no change in their behaviour.

Suppliers who try to demand payment earlier than that offered are just told their products will no longer be stocked if they decide to take any action against the retailer; there are very few products that don’t have an alternative.

I remember a number of years ago Limassol dairy product suppliers agreed amongst themselves that if a particular supermarket chain didn’t pay all of them on time, not one of them would supply dairy products to that chain. A good idea in theory; in practice the supermarket took them to court for forming a cartel and won the case.

So there is no way for a supplier to insist on the enforcement of this legislation and to continue to do business with the bulk of retailers.

One consequence of this situation are the high prices we pay for goods in Cyprus: when a supplier knows he or she will not get his money for a year or so, they charge at least 10-20 per cent more to the retailer.

Before major retailers argue this is not how things work here, I have seen what goes on from both sides of the fence.

Trevor Elliston, Columbia Ship management

Martin Rodger, Nicosia

Minas near Smigies and it was heartbreaking to see and smell the utter devastation of burnt and in places still-smouldering vegetation and destroyed trees, many of which would have been there for over 100 years.

The forestry staff and firefighters whom I met and talked with were equally upset about the fires since many of them have lived in the area for all or most of their lives. They said that they have dealt with bigger, more extensive fires, but not fires which have created so much damage to such a magnificent, old and natural environment.

It is difficult to believe that the area has been ruined for over a lifetime and probably forever.

The emergency and fire services

and the local villagers did a most commendable job of getting the fire under control whilst working in extremely dangerous and difficult conditions and terrain.

Their efforts undoubtedly saved vast areas of the Akamas from destruction, and for this they deserve the heartfelt thanks and appreciation of all residents of, and visitors to, this beautiful island of Cyprus.

It has been alleged that the fires (there was another at the same time near Lara) were started maliciously, if this proves to be true then it is to be hoped the culprit(s) will soon be caught and swiftly brought to justice.

In addition the person(s) responsible should be escorted around

the burnt areas of the Akamas in the hope that his or her conscience will be pricked over the terrible devastation to the flora and fauna which such acts have caused.

And, if indeed arson is proved to be the cause of the fires, then the reason/motive for such a terrible, mindless act should be found out.

Questions which need to be asked should include: why did the principal fire start after the winds picked up around 9am on the morning of July 3 and why did the fire start when the winds were blowing in the direction of the Akamas, when usually the prevailing winds blow from the west, away from the forested areas?

Name and address withheld

Paphos supermarket merits ‘Dumbed down’ systems of education do five stars for terrific service little to cultivate students’ natural capabilities ON Saturday July 7, I visited Paphos’ Alpha Mega store to do my usual supermarket shop.

Like all supermarkets they had a good few offers on, so like any normal person, I bought in bulk, but of course I got carried away, as usual, and ended up with three full trolleys.

Of course by this point I realised I would never be able to everything into my car, as I had also been shopping at other shops earlier, so I asked if they did a home delivery service but I have to say they did one better.

They assigned a young lady named Katherine not only to help me, but to follow me home to help me take back my three trolleys-worth of shopping. Fantastic service!

This store hasn’t been open long, but the staff are very friendly. Further, I only recently started to shop there, and I have to say it is the cleanest supermarket I have ever seen and every member of staff has been well selected.

So the biggest thank you to Alpha Mega Paphos, and if I could, I would award them five stars for their service.

Jenne Saunders, Paphos

TODAY, entire education systems have been dumbed down, making it far easier to gain passes and, in the process, devaluing the value of study and exams.

Is it in fact necessary or desirable to send 40 per cent of all school leavers to university?

Is this 40 per cent as clever/ intelligent as, say, the 10 per cent which was at one time the figure for attendance? (This is quite possible, as other factors such as economic constraints have prevented many who deserved a place from going).

However, if as a matter of policy the higher education establishments are to take 40 per cent of the populace,

then that is a political, not an educational decision. One of the jobs of the educational system is to identify that percentage and another of its roles is to give them the necessary skills to get the best out of university. Indeed, the job of the education system is to give everyone knowledge and skills so they can get the best out of life.

A proper education system with good teaching should take whatever cleverness children possess and provide them with knowledge and tools to best exploit their cleverness. And a proper exam system should measure the results of that process -

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13 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Opinion

Policy-making on the hoof Ministers often forget that they are amateurs in only a temporary position of authority Comment Phedon Nicolaides

L

EAKED documents from the ministry of finance have revealed significant disagreements between officials on the management of national debt. These documents are another piece in the bigger picture of how the government has handled the economy so far. Although the new governor of the Central Bank has put the blame on the boards of the banks for the current malaise, the ministry documents are corroborating evidence of a broader pattern: absence of a consistent long-term strategy.

The leaked documents concern correspondence between the director of the office for the management of national debt and the permanent secretary of the ministry of finance. The director identified two, in his view, problems: i) the minister at the time, Charilaos Stavrakis, wanted policy objectives to be set by him, not the director and ii) the minister did not believe that it was possible to establish an annual borrowing policy.

On the first point, the minister was right. Policy objectives should be set by those who bear ultimate responsibility, i.e. the ministers appointed by the president and eventually, the president himself.

This, of course, does not mean that senior civil servants should be deprived of the right to express their views. On the contrary, as I explain below, they should be obliged to advise ministers so that the latter can make informed decisions.

On the second point, the min-

ister was dead wrong. He was against establishing an explicit policy apparently because market conditions changed too much. But if everything could be predicted then there would hardly be any need to identify the best course of action. It would be rather obvious.

The need for setting ex ante rules is much stronger precisely when conditions change unpredictably.

Admittedly, it is more difficult to establish a robust policy under these conditions because whatever rules are defined they must be flexible.

But, for sure, policy-makers cannot dispense with explicit ex ante rules. Markets require predictable policies. They hate surprises from policy makers because they cannot make long-term investment decisions. And markets want even more re-assurance from policy makers when economic conditions become less stable.

Although the position of the minister was wrong, it was not surprising. It was typical of the attitude of most politicians in Cyprus. Explicit rules make policies more transparent and, by implication, policymakers more accountable. By not setting well-defined objectives and clear rules, policy-makers believe they escape accountability. In fact they leave a mess behind them, but when policies are opaque, it is always somebody else’s fault.

When the European Commission’s Greek Task Force - the group that was set up to assist Greece in its reforms - arrived in Athens, its first assignment was to assess the functioning of the public administration. One of the main weaknesses it identified in the Greek policy-making machinery was the absence of clear lines of responsibility. Too many advisors and temporary political appointees were involved in policy-making, which meant that no one felt responsible to adhere to agreed policy objec-

tives. Accountability is indispensable for the implementation of credible policies.

The situation in Cyprus is not as bad as in Greece. Ministers do not bring with them assorted advisors, cohorts and assistants. They must rely on civil servants. This is good.

It is clear, in principle, who advises and who must bear overall responsibility.

But for this responsibility to be effective, it must also be clear what the ministers are accountable for. They can hardly be held accountable when they do not set benchmarks with which voters can measure their performance.

The former minister of finance, Charilaos Stavrakis, thought that clear policy objectives could not be defined when economic conditions fluctuate. I explained above why this is wrong. The leaked documents suggest that he also thought that he alone had to decide policy. Although it is correct that he alone bore responsibility, it does not necessarily follow that he also had the capacity to make the right decisions. Even though it is the minister who decides, the minister should not decide alone.

This counter-intuitive conclusion is even more true when economic conditions change unpredictably.

In this situation ministers should consult widely.

A core weakness of Cypriot policy-making is the absence of any formal procedure for assisting and challenging, as the case may be, policy orthodoxy and the positions of ministers. In Germany, there is an independent Council of Economic Experts which advises the government and on occasion criticises its economic policies. The government has to respond formally to the reports of the council. In the UK, there is the Office for Budget Responsibility which provides independent economic forecasts before the

Charilaos Stavrakis wanted policy objectives to be set by him preparation of the UK budget.

Their reports are also made public. Similar institutions exist in many other countries.

The cynics would argue that Cypriot policy-making reflects Cypriot attitudes and that we should not aspire to copy the British or Germans. I disagree. Attitudes are also shaped by institutions or their absence. In Cyprus too much policy is made on the hoof not just be-

cause ministers, being politicians, have a different attitude but also because ministers are not obliged to respond to expert advice and critique. They often forget that they are amateurs in a temporary position of authority.

Phedon Nicolaides is a professor at the European Institute of Public Administration, Maastricht, The Netherlands

When you come to a fork in the road - take it Comment Olga Kandinskaia IF YOU are not familiar with the legendary quotes of Yogi Berra, you must be seriously wondering what this headline means. A uniquely successful baseball catcher with the New York Yankees for almost two decades, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, Yogi Berra also became known as the most quoted sports figure in history.

Why? Was he a great speaker? No. In fact, he was just the opposite: he produced short, totally illogical phrases of a self-contradictory nature. They would normally leave listeners shaking their heads in bewilderment, yet somehow get the point across. Next time somebody asks you why you don’t go anymore to a certain club/restaurant, use one of those witty comments of Yogi Berra: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”

As for the “fork in the road” quote, it evolved into an inspirational statement, and has been used by many speakers as a commencement address to university graduates. Yogi Berra gave his own expla-

nation, in 2007, when he spoke at the graduation ceremony of Saint Louis University in the US. “Dear graduates, when you come to a fork in the road, take it,” Berra said. “In life, the only poor decisions are the ones you don’t follow through on. When you leave here today you will have more choices than you ever thought possible.”

In the pre-crisis optimism of 2007 it sounded encouraging. Today, unfortunately, we live in a totally different economic environment.

University graduates of 2012 having got over the happiness of June graduation ceremonies - are looking around with considerable pessimism. They are entering a depressed and at the same time highly competitive job market. For many professions, in both public and private sector, the market is already saturated.

Many of those choices and opportunities which existed in the precrisis economy for young university graduates are not available any more. The situation with youth unemployment in Europe is really dramatic. In Greece, the rate of unemployed young people is now above 50 per cent, which means that there are more young people

An unpaid internship is not common in Cyprus, but it gives graduates real advantages who DON’T work than those who DO. Overall, in the EU countries the unemployment rate for the 25year-olds and younger rose in May from 20.5 per cent a year ago to 22.6 per cent.

In Cyprus, every fourth person aged 15-24 is currently unemployed, and as Fiona Mullen, a well-known economist, pointed out in a recent article, “the greatest sorrow is that nearly 14 per cent of the unemployed are seeking a first job”. Of course, here in Cyprus we have an extra reason for

the rise of youth unemployment, which Fiona Mullen described as “waiting for Daddy’s mesa”. Over the years, Cyprus has created a whole generation of young people whose biggest aspiration is to work in the public sector with its high salaries, free perks and short hours. In these circumstances, the loss of productivity and competitiveness of our economy should hardly come as a surprise.

Yet, saying that all our young graduates lack enthusiasm and motivation would be very wrong. I have seen many students over my years of teaching here and I know for sure that it is not true. What makes their lives a lot more difficult now in the current economic situation is their lack of experience.

Companies now, more than ever before, want people with experience and, conveniently for them, the supply of such candidates in the job market has been growing.

Meanwhile, recent university graduates stand little chance. What can one do these days to get a proper career start?

One possible solution is to seek an internship. The idea of a three to six months’ unpaid work, provided that the company-host in-

volves the student in an important and meaningful project, is nothing unusual in the US and Germany, but here in Cyprus it is a rather rare phenomenon. People think: why should I work for free? Think about it the other way. You get a chance to acquire valuable experience which will put you ahead of other job candidates. You may seek such an internship on your own by contacting different companies which you believe might be interested. You may also consider enrolling in a postgraduate business programme at a college which offers an optional internship. The latter solution will bring you even stronger benefits by equipping you with relevant business knowledge, possibly changing your entire vision, and therefore enabling you to discover many new opportunities for your future career.

As Yogi Berra said, “tragedy lies in paralysis, not bad choices or regrets”.

Dr Olga Kandinskaia is assistant professor of finance at the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM)Business School and is director of the MSc in management programme, olga@ciim.ac.cy

14 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Opinion

Light at the end of the tunnel is made of gas N

OT MANY years ago hardly any energy industry insider could have imagined that the Eastern Med would someday emerge as a promising hydrocarbons frontier on a par with the Persian Gulf, offshore Australia or the Yamal Peninsula in northern Russia. Although, at the time, Egypt had already located some respectable oil and gas fields it was the discovery of the Tamar formation, with an estimated 275 billion cubic metres (bcm), in 2009, that raised some eyebrows.

One year later the Leviathan gas find with an estimated 470 bcm changed the regional energy landscape forever. In the meantime, Cyprus’ Energy Service in collaboration with the Norwegian PGS company had acquired some 20,000 line kilometres of twodimensional (2D) multi-client seismic data in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries paved the way for the exploitation of the subsea mineral wealth. First, Cyprus and Egypt agreed and ratified the delimitation of their EEZs in 2003. Negotiations between Lebanon and Cyprus followed. But Lebanon, despite its ambitions to exploit its potential offshore resources, has yet to ratify the accord with Cyprus citing a dispute with Israel. Then, in 2010, Israel and Cyprus reached consensus on drawing the demarcation line between their EEZs in accordance with the UN Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In 2011, Noble Energy’s consortium, already with a strong presence in the area, drilled an exploratory borehole in Cyprus’ Aphrodite block and announced in Decem-

With proper planning, hydrocarbons can steer Cyprus out of its economic crisis

Comment Constantinos Hadjistassou ber the discovery of an estimated 200 bcm of natural gas in place. Technically, the exploratory phase is probably the most challenging stage of tracing a working hydrocarbons system. At least one appraisal well will be necessary for gathering more information about the characteristics of the reservoir. Attributes like the permeability and porosity of rock formations will be used to construct a conceptual model of the reservoir ultimately permitting a more accurate estimation of the volume of the hydrocarbons. Even before well completion, more challenges lie on the horizon. Developing an ultra deep water (>1,500m) gas system poses some formidable engineering challenges. High water pressure, limited access to equipment due to the water column, marine geo-hazards such as an unstable seabed, sea motions, and the corrosive nature of seawater are only few of the issues to be addressed.

After its discovery, natural gas has to be processed, usually onboard a floating platform, before being pumped to the shore (or processed onsite using a floating liquefaction facility) via a submarine pipeline. Collectively, discovering, extracting, processing, and transporting natural gas is a capital intensive business. Therefore, unless the natural gas accumulation is “large enough” it would be difficult to justify an expensive offshore development. Despite being cheaper than oil, natural gas emits about 30 per cent less carbon dioxide compared to heavy fuel oil.

At a water depth of 1,689m the separation of the Aphrodite natural gas from water and other gaseous and liquid fractions is usually done onboard a spar-based platform or a semi-submersible. Together with the submarine pipeline the estimated cost of these facilities is in the order of $3.5 to $4 billion. Even if all the electricity needs of

Transforming Cyprus into an energy exporter and a regional energy hub will require vision, political courage, public approval, private sector incentives and transparency Cyprus were to be met using natural gaspowered generators, such as the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units at Vassiliko, the natural gas needs of Cyprus will amount to an estimated average of 1.2 bcm per annum until 2020. From the economic standpoint Cyprus’ minuscule natural gas needs are hard to substantiate the development of the Aphrodite field.

If the natural gas field will not be developed exclusively for energy security, then a large proportion of it will need to be sold in the international market or sourced locally as feedstock to chemical processes in order to make the development of the field viable. On top of that, a one train liquefaction plant, capable of processing and exporting 5 million tonnes of natural gas per annum (mtpa) will cost approximately 8 billion euros to commission. Clearly, investments for such mega-scale projects will need to be raised from the international markets.

Buoyant natural gas markets in Asia and EU demand could dictate the project viability. Under the current economic crisis which Cyprus is experiencing the Aphrodite discovery offers a glimpse of hope to the ailing national economy.

It will take more than political courage to transform Cyprus into a regional energy exporter and transshipment hub. Definitely the advisory report issued by Cyprus energy regulator (CERA), which advised the government of the self-evident options regarding the exploitation of the natural gas, marks only the beginning.

Transforming Cyprus into an energy exporter and a regional energy hub is easier said than done. Meeting such ambitious

targets will require vision, political courage, public approval, incentives for the private sector, transparency, and of course overcoming a host of obstacles. Central to this will be the award of concessions during the second licensing round. Cyprus’ second auctioning for exploration rights has surpassed expectations in the sense that it succeeded in attracting some of the big protagonists in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry.

Companies like Total of France, KOGAS of South Korea, Petronas of Malaysia, and ENI of Italy, are only a few of the contestants.

Careful screening of the bids and award of the leases should also factor in the technical know-how of the companies in ultra deepwater developments as well as their country of origin and economic leverage. As past experience has shown, with Noble Energy’s consortium, big names will make it more difficult for Turkey to interfere.

One of the ways Cyprus will be able to raise funds from the second exploration round, in the short term, is through “signature bonuses”. In order to entice governments, companies usually offer to hand over cash in return for a concession. This tactic also serves as an indication of the promising nature of offshore acreage. Unverified sources in the press claimed that some companies promised a signature bonus of as much as €120m if Cyprus were to award them a specific block. Careful and balanced decisions are vitally important emphasising also prospects for collaborations between the consortiums and companies.

With the commencement of infrastructure developments, such as the construction of

submarine pipelines, employment opportunities will help lower the unemployment rate in Cyprus. The dedicated nature of such projects though warrants specialised expertise both at the vocational level, such as welders and technicians, and at the scientific end, e.g., subsea engineers. Auxiliary services such as ferrying people to and from the platforms and infrastructure maintenance will also be needed in the short and long term.

If Cyprus were to construct a single train of 5 million tons per annum (mtpa) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant considerable employment opportunities will arise. At its peak construction phase the LNG project is expected to employ about 4,000 workers. An agreement to liquefy Israeli natural gas will also translate into royalties from the export of LNG and other valuable by - products. These benefits are expected to accrue at least three years from now when, and if, the funding for the LNG plant is raised. Provisions in contracts should offer the opportunity for the active participation of Cypriot construction companies.

Perhaps in the shorter time frame, in relation to LNG exports, and provided interest from the petrochemical and chemical industries materialises, natural gas could be used as a raw material for the synthesis of ammonia, for fertilisers, production of plastics and hydrogen, and even diesel fuel. In 2011, Qatar inaugurated the largest plant in the world which converts natural gas into diesel. Given that Cyprus is financially in a dire situation financing large projects will emanate from multi-national companies. The government though should offer incentives aimed at attracting companies interested in such ambitious ventures.

Besides the infrastructure, Cyprus should invest heavily in transferring and developing know-how from the oil and gas industry and its human capital base. Capitalising on its traditionally good relationships with the Arab countries, its highly educated workforce, developed financial service sector, and its EU membership, Cyprus could act as a regional energy hub offering oil and gas support services for nearby Middle East countries.

MARITIME SECTOR Norway’s offshore service and maritime industries could offer some inspiration. Despite an imminent decline in its oil and gas revenues, Norway’s petro-cluster currently employs both directly and indirectly some 250,000 people. Aker Solutions, Statoil, Seadrill and the Ulstein Group are only a few of the Norwegian champions operating in the global oil and gas arena.

Something often forgotten is Cyprus’ maritime sector. Currently, Cyprus is a world-class ship management centre with the tenth largest commercial fleet, in terms of gross tonnage, in the world. Some of these companies are already active the in oil and gas exploration and production sector. Government provisions could facilitate knowledge transfer from oil and gas companies, to be granted exploration and production rights in the Cyprus EEZ, to local firms. Revitalising the Cyprus economy and developing local expertise should guide government decisions. Diversifying the Cyprus economy with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship will help steer Cyprus out of the economic crisis and lay the foundations for a prosperous future. Setting the priorities and safeguarding the sustainable development of natural resources fall under the jurisdiction of government functions.

Private sector involvement can bring along speed, creativity and efficiency.

Constantinos Hadjistassou is a researcher at the University of Cyprus specialising in hydrocarbons and low-carbon technologies. For more info visit Energy Sequel: www.energysequel.com

15 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Opinion When it comes to caring for the elderly, we owe our maids a debt of gratitude well beyond their paltry incomes Comment Hermes Solomon

Though often struggling with loneliness themselves, housemaids keep loneliness at bay for their elderly employers

T

WENTY five years after building their daughter a house, my aunt and her husband moved into a chalet built in the garden of that house to live out their remaining days.

Ten years after her husband passed on, my aunt suffered a serious stroke and was admitted to a private clinic, where the doctor recommended she be allowed to die (starved to death). But her three pensioner children disagreed with him and my aunt was forced - fed through her nose until she recovered sufficiently to be allowed home, where she was moved into the main house to be cared for by her then 64-year-old widowed daughter with the help of a newly hired yet very young and lightweight housemaid, who was incapable of lifting an incapacitated 93 year old.

Unfortunately, my aunt misbehaved throughout the night, every night for a month and it was finally decided that she was in need of special care.

During that first year in the care home, my aunt cried out interminably. She was not alone in her outbursts - others, in rooms leading off the long and dark corridor of the 30-odd bed care home, could be heard moaning all day and most of the night, fearful ends to fearful lives.

It was disturbing and heart rending to hear when I visited on a weekly basis to spoon feed her lunch and lift her single handed from her armchair back into bed.

She weighed but 40 kilos then, and when she died, a week before her 97th birthday, immobile, partially deaf and blind, she weighed less than 30.

Now, whether my aunt’s outbursts were due to feeling deserted by her children or due to the excessive cold/heat she endured from inadequate central heating in winter or air conditioning during the cruel heat of summer, I do not know. And no matter how much I complained to the matron, my aunt’s bedroom ceiling leaked for her three plus years of rainy seasons she was there.

Apart from the receptionist and house doctor, the place was staffed by a mix of wonderfully caring eastern Europeans and west Africans who, I was told, were paid well below the minimum wage, and were it not for this, €900 a month would not have sufficed to house, care for and feed any of the inmates.

Half of my aunt’s fees were covered by her pension and the balance made up by the state - incidentals like nappies, medicaments and special medical care of around €300 monthly were paid for by her children.

It is only when you experience ageing and illness at first hand that you become aware of others in the same boat.

In my apartment building of 22 residences, four are occupied by the very elderly and another three by those of us heading that way. In flat 101 on the ground floor there is Costa, a founder member of AKEL, (the so called caring political party), and his wife Chrystalla.

He is 91 and uses a Zimmer to get about.

His wife is 86 and living the latter stages of Alzheimers. They have two live-in housemaids who share the caring on a 24/7 basis.

In flat 103 is an 88-year-old lady of Lebanese origin who lives with her daughter. She occasionally disappears to the periptero, where she buys her fags, sometimes failing to find her way safely back home. A bus from social services picks her up twice a week first thing. She is fed lunch along with others at a social centre for the aged in the old town and then brought home.

In flat 205 lives an 88-year-old Cypriot gentleman expelled from Alexandria by Nasser in the mid-fifties. Disciplined and very much ‘old school’, we converse in

uotes of the week “Rioting can be, literally, an ecstatic, spiritual experience. Something is released in the participants which takes them out of themselves as a kind of spiritual escape” Dr Peter Price, Bishop of Bath and Wells

We should declare a maids’ day French and he gives me to understand that he still manages to look after himself rather well.

In flat 202 lives Haritos, 74 years old and incapacitated by the early stages of senile dementia. His 72-year-old wife, who has to work part-time to help pay the bills, lets Haritos wander aimlessly and alone throughout our unpaved ‘classy’ suburb for most of the day.

In flat 303 lives George and his wife Theodora, who are in the early 70s, still fully compos mentis and mobile. They have escaped the summer heat this year by taking a three month trip to stay with George’s younger brother in Canada.

Then there’s me in my late 60s, watching them all somewhat apprehensively, awaiting those unforeseen horrors ageing beyond three score years and ten visits upon us.

And it is for that reason that my widowed cousin, now 69 years of age, has kept on the housemaid, whose four year term worker’s visa ran out last year and must now be renewed annually. She really doesn’t have, or never did have a lot to do at my cousin’s house, spending most of the time keeping the lovely garden tidy and feeding my cousin’s 15 cats and snappy dog. She recently took over the cleaning of my cousin’s two daughters’ houses and is happy to receive bonus

pay, which she sends back to her younger university student brother.

In reality, she was brought to Cyprus to care for my aunt, yet has become an invaluable companion to my cousin, although lately, I have detected a hint of sadness creeping into her ever smiling eyes, having forsaken her homeland and denied herself the right to marry and have children in favour of remittances that are crucial in supporting her impoverished family? She is alone here and must suffer the inequities of that loneliness, many of her kind abused by their employers and deported at the first sign of dissension, employers who seem not to distinguish between slave labour and physical abuse, lacking in a moral code and fully cognisant of laws that fail to protect migrant workers. My widowed cousin, thankfully, is not one such employer.

We owe our thousands of housemaids a debt of gratitude well beyond their paltry income. There should be a ‘Housemaids’ Day’ every year, just like Mothers’ or Fathers’ Day. We should spoil them on that day, acclaim them and reward them.

Without them, many elderly in Cyprus would be living in a sorry state, a state that cares primarily for flash cars, concrete palaces, hairdos and designer clothes.

“People used to be entertained by public flogging and hangings and bearbaiting and stuff, whereas now you have The X Factor” Entertainer Des O’Connor (above)

“The trouble with being an icon is that you don’t know anyone who is an icon. There is no cafe where you can go and talk to other icons” Actor Sir Michael Caine “I’m old enough to remember when bank robbers wore masks” Comedian Billy Connolly on the banking scandal “In the cult of Austerity Britain, Government is turning its back on one of its most promising and world-leading sectors” Lord (Andrew) LloydWebber claiming that the creative industries are being ‘strangled’ “The redder you get, the less you convince people” Labour leader Ed Miliband taunts Prime Minister David Cameron

“We used to hear the odd bit of shouting and sometimes singing before she was famous, but since she became successful she’s got worse. It is so loud you can’t hear the telly. It’s unbearable sometimes” Teresa Miller on the problems of having singer Susan Boyle as a neighbour “He’s quite girlie” Jools Oliver on her celebrity chef husband Jamie Oliver

“There’s only one person who is red around here and that is Red Ed running the Labour Party” The Prime Minister (above) hits back “It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won’t come back” Actor Peter O’Toole, bidding his profession “a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell”

“I was always a courageous woman, capable of confronting governments, but not men. I was a chameleon, the woman men wanted me to be” Actress Jane Fonda (above), who says that her sex life at the age of 74 is now more fulfilling than it ever was ”

“The male bodybuilders are very hot but I’m waiting for someone special.

A man is for Christmas, not for life” Bodybuilder and glamour girl Jodie Marsh “I drank too much and took drugs. I went mad really” Rolling Stone Charlie Watts looks back on 50 years

16 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

News Review

New CEO and pay cut call Land deal

Two to three FOR THE first time ever, the governthousand ment has approved the exchange of property between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot owners north and south people of the island in what Attorney-general Petros Clerides was at pains to stress on Monday is a “special” one-off case. gathered Despite his claims, the government’s decision to transfer ownership of Turkoutside the ish Cypriot property in Larnaca to Greek Cypriot refugee Dr Mike Tymvios and then purchase the land from Tymvios presidential will have pricked up the ears of the Turkish Cypriot leadership which has long argued for a comprehensive property setpalace in tlement based on exchange.

(Christos Theodorides) Nicosia to One year on: the crosses in memory of those who lost their lives in the Mari blast Wave energy to tackle the challenges to follow their lead and contribute part mourn the credentials THE PROSPECTS for exploiting renewand further bolster the group so that it of their bulky salaries to the state to deal CY cash able energy within Cyprus’ Exclusive is able to overcome the difficulties it is with the economic crisis, after last week’s Economic Zone (EEZ) and the eastern faced with,” Kypri said after the board’s party leaders’ meeting was presented THE House Plenum on Thursday dead, a with a 2010 list of the highest paid. unanimously approved €31.33 million Mediterranean were discussed on Monlengthy meeting.

Topping the list of the state officials to increase ailing state carrier Cyprus day during a workshop on wave energy Kypri, a chartered accountant and potential. of the London School of Eco- – nicknamed in the media as ‘Golden Airways’ (CY) share capital, adding howreminder of graduate The E-Wave project is a major research nomics, held the post of deputy CEO, Boys’ – is President Demetris Christofi- ever an amendment whereby the airline as, who including his expense allowance will receive €15 million now and the rest project on exploitation of wave energy in joined the bank in 1980. the weeks having once the majority of its board is altered Cyprus, which started in January 2011.

The board’s decision to appoint him as picked up €158,938 in 2010.

Attorney-general Petros Clerides, his and it presents a feasible restructuring The project duration is 24 months and CEO on a two-year contract was unanideputy, as well as the president and judg- plan. The amendment, which provides is coordinated by the Oceanographic of angry mous. es of the Supreme Court, came a close for the remaining €16.33 million to be Center of the University of Cyprus. all earning €151,220 – including given in October once the new plan is €18,000 each in expense allowances. complete, was passed with just 17 votes protests Misled investors second, against – from ruling party AKEL – and CEO steps down ON Tuesday parliament launched an 31 in favour. that BANK of Cyprus CEO Andreas Eliades investigation into how hundreds if not One year on resigned on Tuesday, citing a lack of thousands of people put their money coordination in dealing with Europe’s into high-return bank investment prod- THE first anniversary of the Mari naval followed Lebanon flights banking crisis as his reason for leaving. ucts now worth a fraction of the original base tragedy was marked on Wednesday morning with a sombre ceremony on AN inaugural charter flight connectIn a letter to the chairman of the board price. on Monday, Eliades said the challenges Reports on Tuesday said the Central the dusty hillside near the base where ing Paphos to Lebanon landed on the the “we are experiencing throughout Europe Bank and the Securities and Exchange 13 crosses have been erected in memory island on Friday morning and was fully are exceptionally difficult, demanding were also looking into the of the sailors and fireman who lost their booked. explosion Commission “We are pleased to welcome the first everyone join forces, inside and outside matter of convertible bonds after many lives in the naval base explosion on July Lebanese flight to Paphos operated by the bank, to be able to tackle them.” people filed complaints that they were 11, 2011.

In the evening, two to three thousand Nakhal Tours and that it has 100 per cent He said he was leaving with immediate misled into investing. as the effect.

People complained that the risks had people gathered outside the presidential occupancy,” head of the Paphos regional palace in Nicosia to mourn the dead, a board of tourism, Nassos Hadjigeorgiou not been explained to them.

The value is now a fraction of the origi- reminder of the weeks of angry protests said on Thursday. public The charter flight has a 155 seat capacnal investment while banks have sus- that followed the explosion as the pubNew CEO lic demanded answers as to why the 98 ity and will be twice weekly, on a Monday pended interest payments. demanded THE Bank of Cyprus (BoC) on Thursday containers of confiscated munitions and Friday, until mid September. appointed Yiannis Kypri as chief executhat caused the explosion had been imtive following the resignation of Andreas properly stored and left dangerously exanswers Pay cuts Eliades on Tuesday. posed to the elements for more than two Boy racers MPs on Tuesday called on state officials

“We firmly believe that we have the

QUOTES OF THE WEEK “They were telling us that the banks were the problem and in the end it seems that the biggest problem is refinancing the state” DIKO vice chairman Nicolas Papadopoulos “If those ruling feel that people remember, justice will be served and those that should, will be punished for the 13 people killed” Mari Marchers’ chers Coordinator, Andreas Onisiforou “Because what is happening around us proves that this collective mobilisation bilisation does not exist… I have ave taken the above decision, judging udging that under these conditions ditions I am no longer allowed to perform my duties” Bank of Cyyprus CEO Andreas Eliades’ lettter of resignation

“Mr Papadopoulos once again has mustered his known practice of twisting and brutally abusing the truth to attain his objectives” AKEL’s Giorgos Loukaides

“From our point of view, the Irish presidency will maybe last longer compared to other presidencies” Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis (left)

“The people who accuse us today of lack of patriotism simply chose to put their party interests above those of the country” Vice Chairman of DIKO Nicolas Papadopoulos

“Many people do not seem to know who is a refugee, or why asylum seekers are coming to Cyprus” Nasr Ishak, UNHCR representative for Cyprus

“We do not know what w will happen in Syria, Syr but in our plannin planning we have estimated estimat up to 200,000 re refugees could arrive” arriv Deputy Europe minister, Andrea Andreas Mavroyiannis

“For the first time, an attempt is being made to privatise a state company by law” AKEL MP Stavros Evagorou “You have my word of honour I saw nothing, nor anything on my bumper... since I saw no damage, I left,” Deputy Attorney-general Akis Papasavvas after his car hit that belonging to EVROKO leader Demetris Syllouris

years.

The protesters, which included a strong presence of nationalists ELAM, clad in their signature black t-shirts, demanded the resignation of President Demetris Christofias, whom they called a murderer.

Government pot THE Ports Authority on Wednesday became the third semi-government organisation to lend money to the cashstrapped state when it announced it would provide €50 million through the purchase of three-month treasury bills.

It follows the decision of telecommunications company CyTA to pitch in €101 million and the human resources development authority’s (HRDA) contribution of €24 million.

The state, shut out of international capital markets for more than a year, has used short-term domestic borrowing to refinance its debt.

This has become harder after its sovereign rating was cut to junk by all three major ratings agencies, making it impossible for banks – which have problems of their own – to purchase government debt.

ENGOMI municipality is demanding boy racers along Griva Dhigenis avenue be dealt with using wide speed bumps and plan on making their feelings known tomorrow during a protest.

“We’re asking for wide speed bumps that have been put on other streets too… this is the only way to deal with them,” said Engomi mayor, Zacharias Kyriakou.

We want people to be able to sleep at night, he added.

The scourge of boy racers using the main road to race each other has been ongoing for some time, with residents becoming more and more fed up of the situation.

In space CYPRUS may not be considered synonymous with space travel yet but a British Cypriot businessman may be about to put Cyprus on the map by setting up a sister company to his own British Interstellar Space Exploration (BISE).

Yorgos Stylianou, 44, has just set up BISE in the East Midlands, UK, which describes itself on the website as ‘a small company with large visions’.

Stylianou’s company intends to reduce the price of space travel by making agreements with advertisers.

17 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Coffeeshop

Why do humble village boys grow into such egotistical monsters?

THE TIMID directors of the Bank of Cyprus board finally mustered enough courage to force the bank’s CEO Andreas Eliades to step down this week.

A week earlier they said they would wait for the Central Bank investigation to establish whether he and other board members were responsible for ‘mistakes and omissions’ before anyone stepped down.

Did the directors really need an investigation to tell them what was obvious even to the bank’s cleaning ladies? Eliades had reduced the wealthiest and most profitable company in Kyproulla to seeking half a billion in state help and had deceived everyone about the sum required, telling the AGM, a few days before presenting the real bill, it would be €200m.

His resignation letter attributed his decision to quit to the fact that “unity of purpose does not exist” and this unity was essential for him to perform his duties. The bank’s directors, having all swallowed a ‘courage pill’ finally told Eliades that they would no longer unite behind his autocratic leadership.

It was a big leap considering that for years he had the board under his thumb. He bullied and intimidated directors and had been known to shout at some of them when they expressed doubts about his wise decisions.

Bank insiders likened his leadership style to that of the comrade – all decisions were taken by him personally, any executive who expressed disagreement with his choices was sidelined, he surrounded himself with flatterers and he never admitted making a mistake.

This explains why nowhere in his letter is there even a hint of a suggestion of the slightest possibility that he may have made the tiniest mistake or error of judgment in his eight years as CEO. The date for the ceremony of Eliades’ induction into the Kyproulla Hall of Fame for Infallible Leaders, who left ruins behind them, will be announced soon.

HIS CLAIM to infallibility was the reason he refused to sanction the sale of the €2.3 billion worth of Greek bonds the bank had bought on his instructions, when Greece’s economy was in freefall. The bank would have taken a loss, but it would have been much smaller than what it suffered from the haircut.

But that would have been admitting he made a mistake, as would ding the expansion in have been ending Greece which he had manically purried on opening new sued. He carried branches in Greece in 2011, when all the other banks were closing ting jobs and branches, cutting reducing pay, because he did not want to admit his licy was a fiexpansion policy asco.

Eliades was being paid ro a year a million euro d not put but still could the interests of his shareholders above on of the satisfaction his colossal ego, red which compared in favourably esize and destructivenesss with the com-rade’s.

OUR ESTABLISHMENT does not have the arry out a psyexpertise to carry dy of how poor chological study llage boys turn and humble village cal monsters, into egotistical

religiously believing in the myth of their infallibility. Eliades and Tof are prime examples of this species to which the late Archbishop Makarios also belonged.

Are they driven by the competitive urge to constantly prove that they are better than the members of the privileged classes? Are they on a mission to take revenge on the society for their deprived village upbringing and lack of sophistication? Is it a psycho-sexual thing? We hope our friend the psychiatrist, Dr Mikellides will one day answer these questions in his column.

In conversations with his colleagues, the infallible banker presented himself as a heroic martyr.

He claimed he was victim of the wealthy B of C directors from the ‘salons of Nicosia’, who were never happy that their bank was being run by a humble peasant-boy.

However, the reality is quite different. The real victims in this saga were the members of the salons of Nicosia whose treasured bank shares were turned into trash, their shareholding would be drastically diluted and they will not be paid dividends for several years.

Under the circumstances, Eliades, who made the occupiers of the salons poorer, while he he became richer (by a million euros every year) has a nerve to claim victimhood.

THE MAN chosen as his successor by the board was deputy-CEO Yiannis Kypris, who was due to retire from the bank in October. Kypris, a sensitive banker, who has published a couple of books of poems, does not seem the ideal choice for a job that would require big reserves of energy and dynamism.

On the other hand, Kypris is considered an old-school banker, much more cautious than his predecessor and perfectly suited to steadying the ship, which is what the bank needs now. He will boost staff morale and regain shareholders’ trust by reading them his poems about bank liquidity and non-performing loans.

THE TROIKANS’ decision to postulla has pone their return to Kyproulla n in the fuelled endless speculation press. They were expected here tomorrow, but it now seems they will be arriving a week later and thus not ursday’s be able to attend this Thursday’s ondemngathering at the palazzo condemnoup and ing the twin crimes of the coup invasion.

Troikans. We would be able to reject some of the austerity measures they propose because we would ask for less money from them. But how would we be able to repay the higher interest Russian loan if we use it as an excuse for fewer austerity measures?

Why am I even bothering asking this? The Russians and the Chinese are much too smart to lend money to a bankrupt country, run by proven incompetents.

Some reports suggested that the Troikans are furious with us because of our attempts to secure a loan from Russia and China and put off their visit in order to make us realise that we need them more than they need us. Others claimed that the delay was because its technocrats were still gathering information, while a skettos drinking customer speculated that they wanted to avoid the heatwave.

We can reveal today that none of this is a true reflection of reality.

The reality is that after hearing the conditions and red lines set by our politicians and union bosses, the Troikans were terrified of the possibility we would reject their bailout and are devising strategies to persuade us to accept the billions they so desperately want to lend us.

Putting together incentives and sweeteners that would convince us to say ‘yes’ to their offer of billions is taking a bit longer than expected.

That’s all.

THE JOKE about the granting of a Russian loan, which a Cypriot correspondent in Moscow said was ‘a matter of hours’ 10 days ago, is still being repeated by big-wig Akelites, even though they are now admitting that the interest rate might be a bit higher than on the loan from the ESFS. So what is the justification of takg it? According g to AKEL’s warped p ing logic it would strengthen our bargaining position when negotiating bailout terms with the

SPEAKING of incompetents we never mentioned the rescue package for Cyprus Airways that was put together by the comrade’s favourite minister Sotiroulla Charalambous.

The labour minister’s mediation envisaged not only pay cuts but also pay rises for the employees on low salaries.

Only a genius mind like Sotiroulla could have proposed pay rises at a company staring bankruptcy in the face. It gets worse. The compensation cost of getting rid of some 200 staff was estimated to be €17m while reducing €9.5m from the annual payroll.

Why does a bankrupt company have to pay compensation of €17m more than the law stipulates? Staff could take the redundancy pay they are entitled to by law from the Social Insurance Fund as happens with all workers.

Why should the pampered workers of state companies be paid extra compensation when they are made redundant? The €17m could help the company’s survival drive, but this is too logical for Sotiroulla’s complex thinking process.

CENTRAL Bank Governor Panicos Demetriades’ efforts to keep the Troika at a safe distance from the co-op banks appear to have failed.

The not-so-independent state official had given public assurances during a speech to TEPAK that coops were in perfect shape and very well-regulated in contrast to the banks.

He therefore saw no need to send in inspectors as he planned to do with the banks. However, the Troikans had different ideas and tried to arrange a meeting with the head honcho of the Co-operative Central Bank, Erotokritos Chlorakiotis. He told them he was ill, so they asked to see the second in command, who also happened to be ill (both were suffering from Troikitis) and could not meet them.

In the end they were seen by some inconsequential Paphite co-op official who was unable to answer most of their questions.

BOTH the Popular and the Bank of Cyprus issued capital securities paying an annual interest rate of 7 per cent in the previous two years and thousands of their customers bought this investment product. In the meant i m e , things went

from bad to worse for the banks and this year they did not pay interest on these securities, urging customers to convert them into shares.

These high-risk securities are now trading at a third of their original value and after complaints by investors that they had been deceived by the banks, the politicians took up the matter. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission investigated and found that the banks had issued prospectuses listing all the risks involved in buying this investment product. In short they had done nothing wrong.

Investors claimed they never read the prospectuses and had been misled by their bankers into buying the capital securities. The wronged investors met in Limassol last night and decided they would agree to an out of court settlement with the banks.

It is entirely possible that some bank employees may have sold the capital securities without fully explaining the risks to customers but this being Kyproulla, now every single holder of these high risk securities is claiming they had been deceived by the banks and want their money back. Nobody bought the securities out of greed, fully aware of the risks. They were all victims of the banking scam.

TODAY, July 15, is the 38th anniversary of the coup against Makarios. The coup is by far and away the favourite anniversary – more cherished than the 1917 October revolution and the birth of Stalin – of AKEL’s commies who have been zealously milking it for 38 years.

It was even brought up at the European Parliament, by comrade Tof when he was addressing the body, 10 days ago. He mentioned it in his ‘I am a communist and proud of it’ tirade, during which he said: “Yes, I am who I am and I am proud of what I am because I come from a party that has been serving the Cypriot people for 90 years. It fought against fascism, it defended the Republic during the coup and it fought with peaceful means to rid the country from colonialism.”

AKEL’s defence of the Republic was as hopelessly incompetent as its management of the economy. The coupists needed just a few hours to take control of the country, while the AKEL top brass fled the party offices and heroically defended the Republic from the safety of the Soviet embassy building in which they were hiding.

ON FRIDAY the comrade had the opportunity to indulge in his favourite pastime – talking about the July coup - when he entertained a group of Greek kids from the US at the palazzo.

He always has a group of kids from abroad this time of year to tell them about his favourite anniversary. He told them from where the coupists attacked and showed them the window from which Makarios escaped.

He also told them about the evil Brits and Yanks who always sided with Turkey.

His was “not satisfied with the stance of the US” he told the kids before giving them an in-depth analysis of relations with Britain. “The British, unfortunately, continue not to like us at all and at the UN and other organisations do not help us as they should help us.”

The comrade has a PhD in History.

Village boys done good? The comrade, Archbishop Makarios and Andreas Eliades

18 July 15,, 2012 2012 • SUNDAY SU MAIL

World in pictures

A man dressed as a giant holds a young girl during the giants and big heads parade of the San Fermin festival (AFP)

Participants run in front of Cebada Gago bulls during the San Fermin festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona

(AFP)

Spanish matador Morenito de Aranda stares down a bull during the third corrida of the San Fermin Festival

(AFP)

A Colombian forensic anthropologist opens a box with a skull inside at the General Prosecutor’s laboratory in Medellin, Colombia (AFP)

Indian commuters in Churchgate station railway platform on the eve of World Population Day. Africa and Asia are the continents that will see the fastest urban population growth in the next 40 years, a UN report said (AFP)

A tourist sits next to a large art display of a shark displayed at a shopping mall in Bangkok (AFP)

French President Francois Hollande inspects a Guard of Honour during his first official visit to Britain (AFP)

An activist of Awami Majlis e Amal looks through a torn poster of US President Barack Obama during a protest against the reopening of the NATO supply route to Afghanistan in Quetta (AFP)

A pelican waits to be fed in the Lebanese city of Sidon (AFP)

19 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Lifestyle

Heiress Eva’s agony: I fell into dark hole of addiction Eva Rausing’s online posts reveal how she and husband Hans descended into a twilight world of addiction behind the doors of their Belgravia home, reports Maxine Frith

Drugs battle: Eva Rausing at a party in 2003 and looking gaunt (right).

Below: police at the Belgravia home where her body was found. Eva and Hans K in 2004 (bottom left)

H

EIRESS Eva Rausing described how she “fell into a hole” of serious drug addiction from an early age in a harrowing post on her social networking

page.

The MySpace posts by the 48-year-old mother of four, found dead on Monday from a suspected drugs overdose, give a tragic insight into how she battled for more than 20 years to give up cocaine, heroin and crack and had been on a downward spiral since before she was arrested trying to take drugs into the US Embassy in London in 2008.

Describing how she felt “in a deep hole” she said: “I don’t work, but probably should. Or at least think of a constructive way of using my time, enlarging my life.”

American-born Mrs Rausing revealed how she first started taking drugs when she enrolled at university in California as teenager, saying: “I had a good time - too good, as I dropped out and did not go back to university until the grand old age of 24. Which leaves some troubled years in between. The beginning was fun, the ending not so fun. I was lucky to have a loving supportive family who stood by me, though I didn’t always see it that way at the time.”

She met her husband, Tetra Pak heir Hans Kristian Rausing, known as Hans K, in the 90s at a Californian rehab centre where he was also being treated after apparently becoming hooked on drugs on the hippy trail in India.

The couple married and moved to London where they had four children, now aged between 11 and 17, but by 2007 Eva admitted she was back on hard drugs, saying: “I fell back into the same hole as before [addiction] and have been there for nearly seven years. I once read that I would have seven bad years (I don’t normally believe in hocus pocus horoscopes)

but so far it has been right, and I’m hoping for seven good years starting 2007.

“I’m still married, amazingly, to a very kind, patient and loyal husband. I’m very lucky that he has stuck with me - many would have not. I do have friends but for various reasons I have been seeing less and less of them.

“So there, my critics, I am a good mother and I love my my children.” childr d en.”

The previously un unseen posts from 2007 illustrate the five-year ve-yea plunge into a “twilight” world where the cou couple’s five-bedroom Georgian townhouse in Cadogan Place effectively C became London’s most upmarket crackden. It was w where her emaciated body on Monday after her huswas found o band was a arrested by police in south London o on suspicion of possession of drugs. Their children were not at the house. hous Eva’s parents Tom and Nancy Kemeny and her sister Be said they were wer “devastated” and paid tribute tto her as a devoted wife and mother.

In recent months m friends of the couple say frien they had become recluses. th She Sh was seen occasionally walking in the streets, and w her husband more rarely, h and an both looked frail and gaunt, a far cry from their g appearances on the Lonap don do society circuit.

In I a sign of family discord Eva Ev referred to her sistersin-law as “the evil twins” inand an in February this year was fined £25,000 for conw tempt of court after she te

sent 39 emails to an unnamed relative.

Hans Rausing senior, who had made a fortune from developing Tetra Pak drinks cartons, had tried to ensure that his children would not grow up spoilt and sent them to the local state school in their native Sweden. His daughter Sigrid says she, Hans and their sister Lisbet were taught to cook and sew in an effort at normality. When the family moved from Sweden to the UK in 1980 their father drove a Morris Minor and cooked his own meals. But Sigrid admits she needed therapy to cope with the family’s huge wealth, estimated at £5.4 billion, and has hinted that Hans senior’s determined normality meant the children almost felt ashamed.

Eva also enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Her father was a Pepsi executive and property developer who bought the island of Hilton Head off the coast of South Carolina. Her parents count Bill and Hillary Clinton as friends.

Vivacious, intelligent and beautiful, friends described her as “kind and gentle” and a loving mother to her children, who she described as “my greatest achievements”.

The couple gave hundreds of thousands of pounds to charities. Prince Charles described Hans K as a “great philanthropist” and Eva was a trustee of his Prince’s Foundation for Building Community.

Despite her inability to help herself she was passionate about helping others. Richard Carlin, head of the British drugs charity Mentor that Eva helped found, said she was strongly against the liberalisation of drugs laws.

“She said that the more access to drugs she had, the more she would take. She believed that you needed to ensure that people, especially young people, did not have access to drugs at all,” he said.

Children likely to inherit her fortune THE death of Eva Rausing is now likely to trigger family soul-searching about whether the dynastic fortune should “skip a generation” to bypass her drugabusing husband Hans Kristian.

Financial advisers say the priority will be setting up trust fund structures for the couple’s four children that will provide them with security while minimising the risk that any of them will follow their parents down the spiral of self destruction.

It is thought likely that any wealth Eva possessed in her name will be passed straight on to the couple’s four children.

The daughter of a wealthy American soft drinks executive, she is believed to have had considerable assets in her own right, although these will be dwarfed by the estimated £5.4 billion fortune of her widower’s family.

Yogi Dewan of Hassium Asset Management, which specialises in managing wealth on behalf of rich families, said: “If I had been in Eva’s situation I would have made sure I had a very good executor in place and left everything I owned to the four children. That is separate from the inheritance they will eventually receive from the Rausing family.

“The main thing they will need is strong trustees to look after them and make sure the wealth is protected over the next 20 to 30 years.”

20

SUNDAY MAIL

Lifestyle

THE GAY ESCAPE Ivan Massow

Straight from a US TV show Northwestern College where the Exodus course is run ’D BE fibbing if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind.

I doubt there’s a gay person alive who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to wake up straight.

Would I suddenly stride out the house in mismatched colours? Would I start jeering at football and leering at nannies on the school run? Is “gay conversion” even possible? Christian fundamentalists think so.

They recently tried running a poster campaign on London buses suggesting homosexuality could be cured through therapy. Could I, an openly gay man of 44, be “cured” by a course of intensive therapy? There was only one way to find out.

The biggest course of all is the Exodus International Freedom Conference in America. Founded in 1976, Exodus is a global organisation with a mission “to mobilise the Body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality”. Its annual residential conference in Minnesota attracts up to 1,200 delegates paying nearly $1,000 per head.

Could I really go in gay and come out straight?

I

Monday As I prepare to leave, I get a welcome email from Exodus directing me to further online reading. One article asks the question: “Why Would Anyone Want to Change?”

The writer describes how he

Unwilling student Massow enrolling on the gay conversion course “struggled very much as the world kept telling me that I was gay when all along I didn’t believe I was”. Until he saw the light.

He cites various examples of famous people who “found out freedom was possible” and promptly switched sides.

Actress Anne Heche … film director Stephen Daldry … comedienne Jackie Clune.

Jackie Clune? Hang on, I know her. We nearly had a baby together in our twenties, though she went on to settle down with a straight man and have four children with him. I call Jackie with the news. Maybe she’s a con-

ference speaker?

“I’m appalled to have been hijacked by the Christian Right as some kind of gay slayer,” she says. “Is there a special training camp to turn boring straights gay?” I guess that’s a No then.

Tuesday I fly into Minneapolis airport a day early and find a hotel in St Paul, on the other side of the Mississippi river.

Minnesota is one of the more religious US states, so it’s no surprise that there’s only one gay bar in St Paul.

An older African-American

g y gu guy called Vince joins me at the bar. We ng g start chatting e tells tellls me and he h s former life. hi about his He was raised in a red when ligious home and he e’d ’ tried ed to co come out to o he’d hiis mother, she told him his “G God would to pray and “God sort it out”. e was was pushed pushe hed towards He th he Church Ch hurch ch where whe h re e he he was was the h could ove v rcom me assured he overcome p wer po his urges through the power future of prayer. He met his fu at a church singles’ sin in ngl g es’ wife at evenin i g and they y had five evening children together. y through“I knew I was gay tell lls me. “I found out,” Vince tells a trac at acti tive v c onstantlly men attractive constantly bu ut I would just j st pray and ju an nd but e it would go away.” Itt hope wouldn’t. Eventually he conwife and they y fessed all to his wi diivo v rc rced. But he h s ighs ig hs a n nd divorced. sighs and have done wishes he could have it differently. “Without lying and ruining a woman’s life.”

Wednesday

Sharing the guilt trip: Ivan relaxes with two of his course mates at Northwestern

It’s finally time to check in for the conference. The sprawling Northwestern College is a location straight from an American TV show – with perfectly cut lawns, beautiful lakes and leafy trees. There are also dozens of nervouslooking young people pulling suitcases to their rooms.

Everyone around me is obviously gay but the atmosphere is muted, sober. My room is a student dormitory. I’ll be sharing it with three others. One is a twenty something Asian guy called

Jimmy, who grew up on the streets of Kathmandu before being adopted by Protestant parents.

We’re joined by Bill, an older ex-Marines type with a crew cut and the skin of a man who’s spent a lot of time outside. Bill’s not just a Marine veteran - he’s been to the Freedom Conference before. He tells us he’s one of three generations of men struggling with the same problem. He, his father and his son have all committed “immoral acts” with men. For Bill, it cost him his 27-year marriage.

Of course, like many others here he doesn’t want to be gay - it’s at odds with his reli-

gion. To him, the word of the Bible is absolute. “This is the one place I can find peace and surrender to who I am,” he says. “With other guys like you.”

We go for an early dinner.

Looking around the hall though, I’m surprised. Yes, there are a few fogeys like Bill and me but we’re surrounded by beautiful young people in their late teens and early twenties. Furtive glances are exchanged, eyes dart everywhere but usually end at the floor. It feels sad and strange.

We go to the conference hall and the evening kicks off with singing and prayers with a fantastic live band. Despite

21

L • July 15, 2012

He is out and proud - but what happened when a US Christian retreat promised to convert financier Ivan Massow from homosexuality?

side, I ask them to be truthful. “Can you really see yourselves remaining celibate for ever?” To my relief, everyone says no.

If nothing else, this conference has served as a gateway to self-acceptance - beyond which they will make their own decisions.

Back in the auditorium the familiar rhetoric continues.

Gay behaviour is portrayed as tawdry, transient and unloving. Drug abuse is apparently endemic. “Not all gays are paedophiles,” says one speaker, before reinforcing the usual stereotypes.

Again, emphasis is placed on the importance of solitude.

We’re reminded that “the most important man to have ever walked the planet did so alone”.

As we leave tonight’s sermon, the minister practically shouts: “You must enter a season of dryness because of your sin and you must repent.

Prepare for a lonely time, for a dark time.”

Sunday

Alan Chambers

my jetlag, I find n it amazingly uplifting and start clapping along. along And then the serious stu stuff begins.

Alan Chambers Chamb gets on to the podium. The president of Exodu Exodus International for a decade, dec Alan’s a well-versed orator. He “abandoned” hi his gay life in 1991, though it looks like his brain forgot to pass the message on to h his body.

The next spea speaker shares his story, desc describing his unloving father who created in him a lloathing for “masculine values” valu which r sulted in him becomre resulted su ing gay. Not sure I follow eve the logic but everyone else seems gripped. It wasn’t undisco til our man discovered God “fre that he found “freedom”.

He still suffers same sex (ab attraction (abbreviated, like a disease, to “SSA”) but o “through Christ our Lord, I o the need have been freed of to act on it”. manag to “fight He says he manages t e urges which scream th s the like minu of every sirens every minute day 24 hours a day for my day, entire life”. This doesn’t sound like freedom.

Alan’s back up on stage again - to drop a bombshell.

“There IS no cure,” he says firmly. This brings an uncomfortable silence to the hall.

That’s not what it says in the brochure. Instead Alan tells us it’s all about conditioning not to act as homosexuals.

Conditioning, he says, is the secret. Stick with us and we’ll help you be something you’re not. My mum has a better term for it: brainwashing.

Thursday I meet our new room-mate.

Rob, a 25-year-old teacher from Delaware. Like many

delegates here, Rob looks so normal. You’d never know he was gay, let alone a Christian. Our first session today is led by Christopher Yuan, a former drug dealer and homosexual - though it’s clear which achievement he’s least proud of.

“Being single is a gift,” he assures us. “The opposite of homosexuality isn’t heterosexuality. It’s holiness.”

This is the beginning of a theme that will be developed in every workshop: being single isn’t that bad. I soon realise today’s lessons are designed to prepare us for a life of loneliness - except for once

Furtive glances are exchanged, eyes dart everywhere but usually end at the floor. It feels sad and strange a year when we can all come here and feel a sense of solidarity. I look round the room at the nodding heads and want to burst into tears.

Next up is Ricky Chelette, a pastor whose job it is to convince us nurture, not nature, is to blame for our sexuality.

He points to pseudo-scientific graphs showing 3.5 per cent of men are born “sen-

Saturday

Exodus web banner sitive”. The remaining 96.5 per cent apparently fall into a category known as “rough and tumble”. As the sensitive children can’t form proper relationships with the rough and tumbles in childhood, they look for it in adulthood - and therefore turn gay during puberty.

Mary DeMuth, a parenting counsellor and author, has a familiar solution: “Parents say, ‘I wish my child came with a manual’.” She pauses and lifts a Bible above her head. “They do!”

Friday This morning we’re due to hear God’s word on homosexuality. I think He’s a no show but Jonathan Berry, director of the UK’s True Freedom Trust, is stepping in. Jonathan describes slipping many times during the 20 years since he renounced his homosexuality for “a very fulfilled and grace filled life as a single man”.

He launches into a lengthy rant on Creationism. Jonathan continues ranting, cherrypicking references from the Bible to support his thesis.

He’s especially fond of Genesis’ term for a woman: “Man’s

Helper”. And he wonders why he’s single?

It’s time for a sex education workshop entitled “How to De-Eroticise Love Feelings”.

The answer, says the speaker, is simple: “I imagine the Holy Spirit’s shield wrapped around the object of my desire so I that can’t penetrate it. Then I cry out to God three times.”

At evening worship, I now know all the songs. The services are exhilarating and are really starting to have an effect on me. We’re asked to draw a picture of how we see ourselves, marking where the “pain” is with a colourful sticker and pinning the picture to the auditorium wall. Nearly all the images are unhappy faces. One has a clown’s smile. Another is dangling from a noose.

Walking back to the dormitory alone, I feel overwhelmed by the stories I’ve heard from my fellow delegates. I understand why so many return every year. For all the homophobic ranting and bonkers propaganda, at least they are told they are not to blame for their sexual urges. I just hope they’ll somehow find the strength to live fulfilled lives with a partner. A gay one.

We’re reaching the end of the course and I get the sense masks are dropping a little. Late last night I went on Grindr, the gay hook-up site, and three other people popped up in this very location. It would have been impossible for them to hook up because of the midnight curfew where all the doors were locked.

At a workshop I sit next to Tom, a blond 22-year-old South African. He’s already spent a year at a residential facility to “reverse” his sexuality, funded by his anxious parents. For the first time I feel someone’s flirting with me but then Tom’s quickly back on message. “I believe everything in the Bible,” he tells me through his clear blue eyes. “Homosexuality’s a sin.”

However, sitting with my new friends on the lawn out-

I wake up feeling oddly liberated and spiritual. Am I cured? Of course not. I feel gayer than ever! This is probably one of the campest weeks I’ve ever experienced.

But despite all I’ve heard and seen, I don’t feel let down or angry. Exodus is run by people who genuinely believe they’re helping fragile souls survive in a tough world.

Every lecture has instilled homophobic paranoia and guilt. Not one speaker has come from the “dark side” to introduce any element of balance.

And yet my fellow delegates feel lucky. As we say our goodbyes, some tell me they feel good about their sexuality for the first time in their lives, even if they have been warned they mustn’t pursue it. Many in their communities commit suicide rather than accept who they are.

Others leave their faith entirely. I leave feeling there must be a middle ground - a way of channelling the sense of euphoria and community that Exodus creates to a better purpose. The Bible is filled with wisdom and guidance on pursuing an enriching, responsible life. But nothing I’ve seen will convince me prayer can pervert human nature in search of an ideal.

After all, wasn’t it God himself who said “It is not good that Man should be alone”?

Some names have been changed to protect identities

Listening to Alan Chambers

22 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Property Need an extra room or office at home? The answer could be at the bottom of the garden says Barbara Chandler

LEGAL ISSUES WITH GEORGE COUCOUNIS

Eviction for nuisance and annoyance WHEN the normal comforts of life of an ordinary and reasonable person are affected by continued nuisance and annoyance which cannot be accepted, they constitute a valid reason for the eviction of a statutory tenant. They can also be actionable as civil wrongs before a civil court, enabling the landlord to recover possession of his property or any other person who is affected thereby to claim discontinuance of the noisy and harmful activities. To succeed in the application for eviction of the tenant causing nuisance or annoyance the landlord should serve a written notice of one month to the tenant to deliver free and vacant possession of the premises, stating the reasons. The application must be filed thereafter and an injunction can also be obtained limiting the causes of nuisance and annoyance until the issue is determined by the court. The aforesaid civil wrongs are considered objectively and the area, as well as the manner in which the complainant is affected is taken into account. Each case is examined at its own merits and the court must be satisfied there is substantial interference in the comforts of the landlord or of any other person affected thereby.

The Rent Control Law provides that re-possession of a statutory residence or a shop can be obtained against a tenant in the event he is guilty of behaviour causing nuisance and annoyance to the persons residing in the same or in neighbouring buildings. A prerequisite is the service of a written notice one month prior to the filing of the application and the meaning of “one month” does not mean a calendar month. The Supreme Court examined the issue recently and held that the provision for a notice to quit in the common law is not necessarily equivalent to the one provided in the law. The essence is that either in a contractual or in a statutory tenancy, the necessary notice must be in accordance with the provisions of the tenancy agreement or the common law or the law. In the law, the use of the words “one month

prior” indicates that there is no need for a notice of one calendar month, but the notice should be for at least one month. It can also be noted that the issue of the notice is connected with the reason for the eviction, being annoyance or nuisance which continues for some time.

The court referred to the English precedent Salmond on the Law of Torts, whereby it is stated that nuisance is commonly a continuing wrong – that is to say, it consists in the establishment or maintenance of some state of affairs which continuously or repeatedly cause the escape of noxious things on to the plaintiff’s land (e.g. the stream of foul water, or the constant noise or smell of a factory). In the case before the Supreme Court, the claim was based on the statutory tenant using the premises – shop for loading and uploading building materials in a manner causing continuous noise and dust reaching the upstairs residence of the landlord, who were elderly with health problems. The continuous nuisance could not be accepted or tolerated, since it affected even more their health and they could not live a calm, quiet and peaceful life.

The aforesaid judgment of the Supreme Court is important, since it examines the issue of nuisance and annoyance as actionable wrongs.

Moreover, it examines the issue of the written notice and other procedural matters of legal importance. The court finally held that nuisance and annoyance must be proved as facts which affect life objectively, without taking into consideration the special sensitivities or unreasonable reactions of neighbours. What should be examined is the extent of the interference of the enjoyment of the reasonable comforts of life based on a reasonable understanding of things.

George Coucounis is a lawyer specialising in the Immovable Property Law, based in Larnaca, Tel: 24 818288, coucounis.law@cytanet.com. cy, www.coucounislaw.com

WHAT YOU GET FOR

Ready-to-go office: the Archipod and (below) the startlingly geometric Tetra Shed

PODS ARE popping ver this sumup all over m pop-up (or mer, from y-up) officeven stay-up) e bottom es at the of the garden ing to sleeping spaces e complete ds in with beds me ofyour home od” is fice. “Pod” the new word for the latnd in est trend selfdesign: d encontained paces, closed spaces, usually with a striking shape, ut with everykitted out thing you need for the pod’s particular solution in life - be it to give you an extra room outdoors or an extra dimension to one indoors.

Stealing the style stakes is the startlingly geometric Tetra Shed, a sort of elongated pyramid. “Actually it’s a truncated tetrahedron,” explains its designer David AjasaAdekunle, a young west London-based architect. While the prototype has a slightly sinister black exterior - the designer himself says it’s a bit “Darth Vader” - the final version will come in a range

Pea in a pod

of colours colours, and you can also add metal cladding such as zinc or copper to catch the light. The inside is full of angle-nooks, with a three-sided door and sixsided window. You’ll need a space 10m square in your back garden, which will give you around 8m square inside - enough for two people to work in an office. Joinedup Tetra “clusters” can create larger spaces - or even a whole home made out of rubber-coated engineered wood, and lined with ply.

By contrast, the Archipod is also a ready-to-go office,

€150,000

How much: €150,000 What you get: This-two-bedroom, two-bathroom semi-detached property in Ayia Triada, Famagusta includes a communal pool as well as being fully furnished. It also has sea views.

From: www.buysellcyprus.com, Tel: 26 200000

but comes as a genttle tl e sphere three metres across. It’s made of wood, c covered in homely red cedar shing shingles and a arrives in sections w which can be carried thro through the house house.

Light floods in from a roof do dome. “Advances in com computer and networking techno technology make working from home a real alternative to commuting,” says designer Chris Sneesby. You’ll have electric heating, power sockets, a porthole window, plastered walls, and you can choose a curvy built-in desk in a choice of finishes.

Newly landed at John Lewis, a circular pod billed as a summerhouse but more like allweather garden furniture.

Customers can’t resist giving it a push, as it rotates to catch the sun - or provide privacy.

The wraparound bronzetinted windows frame a curvy seat comfortably big enough

for two, around a small circular table. You can run lighting and other appliances off its 240v power supply.

One Battersea manufacturer called Podtime has an option which is an indoor giant tube with square ends made of heavy-duty plastic with a lockable door - and it comes fully equipped with a mattress for a comfy night’s sleep.

LED lights, power points, a storage rack and shelf and mirror are also included. Optional extras include a TV/ DVD player.

The idea seems to be catching on fast since a launch at the beginning of the year. Forty pods have been delivered in London so far, and more orders are rolling in. Even the Olympic site is installing 10.

“Our pods are also great for short power naps,” says director Jon Gray, the mechanical engineer who made his dream reality. “Sleep research shows that even a quick kip of as little as 20 minutes ups energy levels and concentration.”

He’s working on an outdoor model.

Compiled by Natalie Hami

How much: €150,000 What you get: This three-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Akrounda, Limassol boasts a spacious living area. It includes 180m² of covered space on a 195m² plot of land.

From: www.kaimarconsulting.com, Tel: 25 318712

How much: €149,000 What you get: This three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Kamares, Larnaca comes with air conditioning and a covered parking space.

From: www.cyprusprop.com, Tel: 99 537985

23 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Property Study reveals widening wealth gap in UK

Clear genius From speakers to pool tables, if theyy gh, are not see-through, they’re just not worth having. It’s a n, Perspex revolution, er says Susannah Butter

By Vicky Shaw

P

ERHAPS it started d with David Cameron saying his government is creating a new era of transparency. Either way, London’s clothes, coffee machines and even pool tables have gone seethrough. It’s crystal clear: s glass is in and Perspex has come a long way from being synonymous with the practical kitchen measuring jug to be this season’s material of choice.

Yoko Ono was ahead of e the curve. She spotted the joys of this acrylic alterna-tive to glass in 1971 when she used 40 sheets of it to make a see through maze..

Now it is being enjoyed again at an exhibition of her work at London’s Serpentine Gallery. But her Amaze is more challenging than it appears.

There is nowhere to hide as you try to get to the e square grey column in the middle without walking into walls. Thanks to this clever material, the observer of the art becomes the observed.

This transparency is key..

Glass is used for some great home appliances that allow a view of their inner workings. People People’s see-through speakers are set in a glass box so you can puzzle over how they work (peoplepeople.se). And the clever Syphon coffee

Can you see the real me (clockwise from top): People People’s loudspeakers, Nottage Design’s Perspex pool table and Hario’s Syphon coffee brewer

brew-

er extracts maximum fla avour from coffee by heating water in the lower chamb so it rises into ber t the upper chamb ber.

As the lower chamber cools, the coffee is sucked down through a cloth filter. Being see-through, y you needn’t worry a about it clashing w with the rest of the d décor (Hario Syp phon coffee brewer TC TCA-2, amazon. co.u co.uk).

The same goes for The T for Silverfish, an aquariu fit for a Bond aquarium villain. Nothing blocks a

view of the fish as the filtration, heating and lighting equipment is hidden inside the stand (octopusstudios.com).

While glass is ideal for the curves of the coffee machine or fish tank, Perspex is so tough it was used in Second World War planes and submarines.

Which makes it perfect for a pool table. Green baize tables may be a design classic but Perspex can be made almost perfectly flat and doesn’t warp or sag.

The texture means balls roll at a similar pace to those on traditional cloth, though they can be spun more aggressively (not-

tagedesign.com).

The fashion world has also played a part in the plastic revolution.

At Topshop, transparent electric blue sandals are flying off the shelves, and Perspex heels were all over the catwalks at London Fashion Week courtesy of Erdem and Phillip Lim. Max Mara does glamorous Perspex sunglasses and Tatty Devine’s Posie necklace of double-layered Perspex comes in a range of shades (tattydevine.com). You could always accessorise with a Charlotte Olympia Plexiglass clutch (net-aporter.com). But take care - voyeuristic curiosity will make you ask: Does my purse look big in this?

THE TOP ten per cent of Britain’s wealthiest households are more than 500 times richer than those in the bottom ten per cent and the gap has been widening, a new report found.

Families in the top bracket had a total wealth of £4.5 trillion in 2008/10, whereas those at the other end of the scale only had £8 billion, an Office for National Statistics (ONS) study found.

The total wealth of Britain’s households reached £10.3 trillion in 2008/10, up from £9.1 trillion in 2006/08.

Mean average household wealth grew to £418,000 in 2008/10, from £373,000 in the previous two years. Families in the South East were the best off, with an average wealth of £562,000, while those in the North East were the worst off, with a total wealth of £322,000.

But the study highlighted “widening disparities” between households at the top and bottom ends of wealth distribution.

It said much of the increase seen by some families has been due to a rise in pension wealth, but this was not distributed evenly, with a small number of people holding high-value private pensions.

Of those who had private pensions, the 10 per cent of households with the highest levels of pension wealth had almost seven times as much as households in the bottom 50 per cent combined.

Across Britain, 64 per cent of people were not paying into a private pension, while 42 per cent of adults had no private pension savings at all.

The least wealthy half of households in Britain were found to have 10 per cent of the total wealth, while the better off half had 90 per cent of the total.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “The wealth of the very rich is growing at an ever-increasing rate, even as the economy sinks into double-dip recession.”

Developers eyeing luxury London homes ‘late to the party’

By Brenda Goh and Tom Bill DEVELOPERS of offices and shops in search of bigger profits in London’s red-hot luxury housing market may have missed the boat, after a huge surge in values since 2009 showed signs of easing, property experts said.

British Land, whose portfolio comprises mainly offices and shops, is reportedly in talks to buy a 200,000 square foot block in London’s Mayfair district that has permission to be developed into luxury homes and offices, for more than £150 million ($232 million).

Other commercial developers that have stepped up their residential schemes include Land Se-

curities, which is building over 200 homes in the Victoria district, and Derwent London which is turning an office building next to London’s Hyde Park Corner into an hotel, luxury flats and offices with Grosvenor Group.

British Land declined to comment on the reports.

“Developers may be coming late to the party,” Michael Marx, chief executive of Development Securities, said. “How long does a good thing last? You can chase a market up and up but eventually it will stop.”

The boss of a London residential developer who declined to be named said: “It’s becoming a more crowded marketplace with commercial developers but by the time

you’ve spotted a bandwagon, it’s probably because it’s too late.”

Prices for luxury London homes have surged in recent years as economic turmoil in Europe and political uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East have driven investors to London in search of a safe haven.

There are signs of a slowdown after the British government said in March it would clamp down on tax avoidance by overseas buyers of homes costing more than two million pounds.

Prices for the best homes rose by their slowest rate in nine months in May, though values have increased 48.4 per cent over the past three years, data from property consultant Knight Frank shows.

The strong performance contrasts with lacklustre demand for space in the UK’s office and retail property sectors due to the weak economic outlook.

“Prime residential is a market that is sitting up and begging to be bet on, but you only know whether you have done a good deal in three or four years time,” said Marx.

“The value of offices is about £600 per square foot. Prime residential could sell for about three times more,” Peel Hunt analyst, Kate Barlow, said.

Developers including the Duke of Westminster’s property company Grosvenor Group, have converted offices in London’s most exclusive neighbourhoods back to their original use as homes to cash in.

Some property analysts welcomed the fact developers were branching out.

“Whether it’s a bit too late, time will tell,” said JPMorgan Cazenove analyst Harm Meijer. “But from overall asset allocation point of view it makes sense to have some exposure to the residential market and keep their toes in the water.”

Tony Pidgley, chairman of London residential specialist Berkeley Group, said commercial developers would pick up a limited amount of residential deals though he declined to comment on their timing.

“The best time was obviously just after Lehman Brothers collapsed, when we stuck £300 million into the market,” he said.

24 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Business & Jobs

The relative winners in the new global economy In advanced economies, inequality, strains on the middle class, and ageing populations will fuel political strife

By Dani Rodrik HE WORLD economy faces considerable uncertainty in the short term. Will the eurozone manage to sort out its problems and avert a breakup? Will the United States engineer a path to renewed growth? Will China find a way to reverse its economic slowdown?

The answers to these questions will determine how the global economy evolves over the next few years. But, regardless of how these immediate challenges are resolved, it is clear that the world economy is entering a difficult new longer-term phase as well - one that will be substantially less hospitable to economic growth than possibly any other period since the end of World War II. Regardless of how they handle their current difficulties, Europe and America will emerge with high debt, low growth rates, and contentious domestic politics. Even in the bestcase scenario, in which the euro remains intact, Europe will be bogged down with the demanding task of rebuilding its frayed union. And, in the US, ideological polarisation between Democrats and Republicans will continue to paralyse economic policy.

Indeed, in virtually all advanced economies, high levels of inequality, strains on the middle class, and ageing populations will fuel political strife in a context of unemployment and scarce fiscal resources. As these

T

Currencies USD GBP CHF JPY AUD CAD SEK

13-July-2012

1,2173 0,7887 1,1961 96,40 1,1885 1,2308 8,4793

1,2246 0,7934 1,2057 97,17 1,2123 1,2554 8,6489

‘Large emerging markets such as China are unlikely to fill the void’

old democracies increasingly turn inward, they will become less helpful partners internationally - less willing to sustain the multilateral trading system and more ready to respond unilaterally to economic policies elsewhere that they perceive as damaging to their interests.

Meanwhile, large emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil are unlikely to fill the void, as they will remain keen to protect their national sovereignty and room to manoeuvre. As a result, the possibilities for global co-operation on economic and other matters will recede further.

This is the kind of global environment that diminishes every country’s potential growth. The safe bet is that we will not see a return to the kind of growth that the world - especially the developing world - experienced in the two decades before the financial crisis. It is an environment that will produce deep disparities in economic performance around the world. Some countries will be much more adversely affected than others.

Those that do relatively better will share three characteristics. First, they will not be weighed down by high levels of public debt. Second, they will not be overly reliant on the world economy, and their engine of economic growth will be internal rather than external. Finally, they will be robust democracies.

Having low to moderate levels of public debt is important, because debt levels that reach 80-90 per cent of GDP become a serious drag on economic growth. They immobilise

06-July-2012

1,2347 0,7952 1,1965 98,52 1,1960 1,2447 8,5480

1,2421 0,8000 1,2061 99,31 1,2199 1,2696 8,7190

fiscal policy, lead to serious distortions in the financial system, trigger political fights over taxation, and incite costly distributional conflicts.

Governments preoccupied with reducing debt are unlikely to undertake the investments needed for long-term structural change. With few exceptions (such as Australia and New Zealand), the vast majority of the world’s advanced economies are or will soon be in this category.

Many emerging-market economies, such as Brazil and Turkey, have managed to rein in the growth of public debt this time around. But they have not prevented a borrowing binge in their private sectors.

Since private debts have a way of turning into public liabilities, a low government-debt burden might not, in fact, provide these countries with the cushion that they think they have.

Countries that rely excessively on world markets and global finance to fuel their economic growth will also be at a disadvantage. A fragile world economy will not be hospitable to large net foreign borrowers (or large net foreign lenders). Countries with large current-account deficits (such as Turkey) will remain hostage to skittish market sentiment. Those with large surpluses (such as China) will be under increasing pressure including the threat of retaliation - to rein in their “mercantilist” policies.

Domestic demand-led growth will be a more reliable strategy than export-led growth. That means that countries with a large domestic mar-

29-June-2012

1,2535 0,8031 1,1964 99,29 1,2266 1,2785 8,6818

1,2610 0,8079 1,2060 100,08 1,2511 1,3041 8,8554

1wk 1mth 2mth 3mth 6mth 1yr

USD 0,20 0,25 0,34 0,46 0,73 1,07

ket and a prosperous middle class will have an important advantage.

Finally, democracies will do better because they have the institutionalised mechanisms of conflict management that authoritarian regimes lack. Democracies such as India may seem at times to move too slowly and be prone to paralysis. But they provide the arenas of consultation, co-operation, and give-and-take among opposing social groups that are crucial in times of turbulence and shocks.

In the absence of such institutions, distributive conflict can easily spill over into protests, riots, and civil disorder. This is where democratic India and South Africa have the upper hand over China or Russia.

Countries that have fallen into the grip of autocratic leaders - for example, Argentina and Turkey - are also increasingly at a disadvantage.

An important indicator of the magnitude of the new global economy’s challenges is that so few countries satisfy all three requirements. Indeed, some of the most spectacular economic success stories of our time - China in particular - fail to meet more than one. It will be a difficult time for all. But some - think Brazil, India, and South Korea - will be in a better position than the rest.

Dani Rodrik, Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard University, is the author of The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy © Project Syndicate 2012

EUR 0,09 0,15 0,23 0,38 0,69 1,03

GBP 0,55 0,59 0,67 0,84 1,12 1,62

CHF 0,02 0,03 0,05 0,08 0,18 0,38

Like coffee, bonds to get green certified INVESTORS will soon be able to buy corporate bonds with a ‘climate’ certification, much as consumers with strong social and environmental convictions now buy coffee and chocolate products with labels such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance.

Carrying such a certification will enable institutional investors and pension funds, which have been looking to make their portfolios green, quickly to identify environment-friendly bonds without having to do the due diligence themselves.

The ‘Climate Bond Certified’ standard will initially be aimed at corporate bonds linked to low-carbon assets, said Sean Kidney, executive chair of the Climate Bonds Initiative, a non-profit group backing the standard.

In just a few weeks’ time, a corporate bank is expected to issue the equivalent of around $500 million in an asset-backed bond that will carry the certification, the first of its kind.

“It’s linked to a portfolio of wind energy loans, which have been reviewed to make sure they relate to wind energy installations in the field,” Kidney told Reuters, declining to comment give details about the bond or bank for compliance reasons. “(Other bonds) are on the road to being certified,” he said.

In order to get certified, a bond issuer first has to go through independent auditors, such as KPMG, DNV and Bureau Veritas, to ensure environmental integrity of the security.

Then it needs approval by the Climate Bond Standards Board, represented by institutional investors and non-governmental organisations such as the California State Teachers’ Retirement System and the Natural Resources Defence Council, a US environment lobby.

Some of the top institutional investors have been calling for investment-grade bonds where revenue is used to fight global climate change, such as severe drought and flooding.

JPY 0,11 0,14 0,16 0,20 0,33 0,55

LIBOR RATES (London Interbank Borrowing Rates) AS AT 16/07/2012

CAD 1,03 1,10 1,20 1,31 1,57 2,04

AUD 3,71 3,81 3,87 3,99 4,23 4,55

25 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Business & Jobs China’s luxury buyers pull back

News on the UK Statutory Residence Test is unveiled

By Donny Kwok SHARES of the world’s largest jewellery retailer, Chow Tai Fook, tumbled nearly 8 per cent to a two-week low this week on weaker-than-expected sales, deepening a sectorwide stock slump as China’s slowing economy saps luxury demand.

A host of Chinese companies, ranging from a steel maker to a major airline, have warned of disappointing results over the past week as the world’s second biggest economy slows to its weakest growth pace in three years.

Evidence that the slowdown was spreading to China’s luxury sector, which is a vital source of growth for companies worldwide, spooked investors. Britain’s Burberry said on Wednesday its sales had been hit by a slowdown in China.

Shares of Italian fashion house Prada and high-end men’s fashion retailer Trinity were both down nearly 4 percent. “An economic slowdown defers consumer spending, in particular the need for luxury items,� said Linus Yip, chief strategist in First Shanghai Securities. “Investors may reduce their exposure to the luxury segment until they see signs of a pick-up.�

Hong Kong retail sales rose 8.8 per cent year-on-year in May, the slowest growth since February 2011.

either of the previous two UK tax years.

- More time spent in the UK in the tax year than any other single country Each factor is subject to its own speciďŹ c criteria and can be complex. The scales are now as follows: Leavers

Investment David Franks David Franks is co-founder and Chief Executive of the Blevins Franks Group. Tel: 7777-7432 WE ďŹ nally have some more information on the new UK statutory residence test, following the consultation period which ended last September.

The test is due to start on 6th April 2013 and will determine whether or not an individual is liable for UK income and capital gains tax, wherever they arise The Treasury has released draft legislation that builds on the responses received, alongside a summary of the responses and proposed changes. It remains committed to the original structure, though there have been some small changes, and believes the test is “a fair way of determining residence status�.

The distinction between “leavers� (individuals who were UK resident in one or more of the previous three tax years) and “arrivers� (not resident in all of the previous three tax years) remains, and there are different rules for each category.

The test breaks down into three parts.

Part A lays out a conclusive position whereby an individual will always be non-UK resident: 1 - You are a leaver and spend

Number of days that make you UK resident

The test will determine whether or not an individual is liable for UK income and capital gains tax fewer than 16 days in the UK in any UK tax year – an improvement on the previous 10 days, or 2 - You are an arriver and spend fewer than 46 days in the UK in the current year (previously 45), or 3 - You left the UK to carry out full time work abroad and spend less than 90 days in the UK and no more than 20 working days. There are detailed rules for those working abroad.

Part B lists the circumstances under which you would always be considered UK tax resident: 1 - Your only home/homes is in the UK, or 2 - You spend 183 or more days in the UK a year, or 3 - You are working full time in the UK, covering a continuous period of nine months (it may be increased to 12) and 75% or more of your duties are carried out there.

If neither test is conclusive, Part C will determine whether

! 3!,%3 #!2%%2 / 00/ 245 . )4)9 ). 4( % -)$ $ ,% %!34 &/ 2 ). $ %0%. $ %. 4 &). !. #)!, !$ 6 )3%23 7 %!,4( -!. !' %23 !. $ &). !. #)!, #/ . 35 ,4!. 43 ). 4%2%34%$ s . EXUS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INSURANCE BROKERS WITH A TWENTY TWO YEAR PEDIGREE OF OPERATIONS IN THE ' ULF 2EGION s #ATERING TO ALL MAJOR )NTERNATIONAL CLIENT SEGMENTS FOR &INANCIAL 0LANNING AND )NSURANCE NEEDS FOR BOTH PERSONAL AND BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS WITH PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY SOME OF THE INDUSTRY S LARGEST INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP PROVIDERS s 0LANNED EXPANSION BY . EXUS HAS RESULTED IN OPPORTUNITIES IN $ UBAI !BU $ HABI "AHRAIN AND 1 ATAR WHICH CAN PROVIDE AN UNLIMITED TAX FREE INCOME FOR THOSE WITH THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED

DELIVERING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIVING STANDARDS TO EXPATRIATES COUPLED WITH GREAT SAVINGS POTENTIAL

s 7 OULD YOU LIKE TO DEVELOP BUSINESS ON A COMMISSION BASIS IN THE DEVELOPING MARKETS OF THE -IDDLE %AST s 4O JOIN . EXUS YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS AND HOLD QUALIFICATIONS SUCH AS THE 5 +S #HARTERED )NSURANCE )NSTITUTE OR QUALIFICATIONS FROM THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY AS WELL AS BEING COMPETENT IN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN %NGLISH s . EXUS PROVIDES ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING FULL VISA SPONSORSHIP MEDICAL AND ,IFE COVER TOGETHER WITH ONGOING DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

or not you are UK resident for tax purposes. The test outlines ďŹ ve connecting factors which are combined with day counting into a “scaleâ€? to determine your residence status.

Connecting factors: - Family in the UK - spouse/ civil partner and/or minor children.

- Available accommodation in the UK. - Substantive employment in the UK. - UK presence in previous years – if you have been UK resident for more than 90 days in

16-45 46-90 91-120 121-182 183 or more Arrivers Number of days that make you UK resident 46-90 91-121 121-182 183 or more

Connecting factors 4 factors 3 factors 2 factors 1 factor Always resident

Connecting factors 4 or more factors 3 factors 2 factors Always resident

www.pwc.com.cy

Value created from the knowledge of our people We are striving to offer our clients the value they are looking for. To achieve this we draw from the knowledge of our international network, and the experience of our teams adapted to your specific needs. Our strength lies on our people -almost 1.000 skilled professionals in Cyprus- their expertise and effectiveness.

In this context, we announce that as from 1 July 2012 Anna G Loizou, ACA - Assurance Services and Antonis C Christodoulides, ACA - Direct Tax Services are admitted to Partnership and appointed members of the Board of Directors of the company.

Respectively: Socrates C Paschalis, ACA - Assurance & Advisory Services Stelios Demetriou, ACA - Global Compliance Services Varnavas N Nicolaou, ACA - Indirect Tax Services,and Vassilios G Vrachimis, ACA - Assurance & Advisory Services are appointed Directors of Operations.

s !TTRACTIVE SALES INCENTIVES AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ARE JUST SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL REWARDS AVAILABLE

We regret that only applicants who are short listed for interview in Cyprus will be contacted.

If you would like to join N exus, please send your CV to

sales.career@nexusadvice.com 2EGULATED BY THE 5 NITED !RAB %MIRATES )NSURANCE !UTHORITY 2EGISTRATION NUMBER #OMMERCIAL ,ICENSE NUMBER 2EGULATED BY THE #ENTRAL "ANK OF "AHRAIN UNDER LICENSE NUMBER !UTHORISED BY THE 1 ATAR &INANCIAL #ENTRE 2EGULATORY !UTHORITY NUMBER

WWW.NEXUSADVICE.COM

The government believes the draft legislation is close to being the ďŹ nal version.

Another consultation period on the new proposals is running until mid-September 2012. The legislation should then be included in the 2013 Finance Bill.

While the statutory residence test will provide much more certainty for expatriates and is a welcome improvement on the current situation, the ďŹ ne detail in the legislation could trip many people up, so for peace of mind you should take advice from an international tax and wealth management ďŹ rm like Blevins Franks.

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change.

Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change.

Tax information has been summarised; an individual must take personalised advice.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

Š 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd. All rights reserved

26 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser

ADVERTISER helps you find what you’re looking for

Only

€14 (plus VAT)

a week for classifieds (up to 40 words)

Send your classified by fax or email and pay by credit card, cheque or cash. It couldn’t be simpler!

Nicosia - email: classified@cyprus-mail.com Limassol - email: limassol@cyprus-mail.com Paphos - email: paphos@cyprus-mail.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ***************************** FAMILY OF MRS MARIA GEORGIOU, Limassol, request a Domestic Assistant for the house and to take care of 3 children, 6, 4 and 3 Years old. Salary €326. A & G Employment Services Ltd. Tel: 25003547.

RETIRED disabled English gentleman requires a helper/carer to visit UK on short trips with him (Paphos area). Telephone: mobile 99894139 landline 26621343. *****************************

JOB WANTED PHILIPPINES girl is looking for a job. Living in or out. Please call 96514258-96521426. ***************************** A VERY RELIABLE and experienced Hungarian woman is looking for an au pair job in Nicosia for 9 months. Speaks little English,but learning.Has driving licence. Tel 97822490

MISCELLANEOUS ***************************** CASTLE AUCTIONS – Auction & Sale Rooms in Kolossi, Limassol. Next auction: SAT 14TH JULY at 5pm and includes; New furniture, power tools & wood laithe, beds, sofas, fridges, washing machines, gym equipment, collectables and much more. Tel: 7000 78 89, find us on Facebook or www.castleauctions.com ***************************** TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE GREEK ORTHODOX: The European Union Parliament is pressuring the Turkish Government to restore Saint Sophia Cathedral from a museum into a Greek Orthodox Church.

However the Parliament has set a requirement of 1,000,000 signatures on a petition before it makes this conversation a prerequisite for Turkey’s admission into the European Union. You are requested to cast your vote by logging on to a link at www. hagiasophiablog.com. This is an opportunity for each of you to have an impact on world events. Get as many Greek Orthodox, other Orthodox and Christian friends of yours to sign the petition and make history. ***************************** ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS CYPRUS

Nicosia - tel: 22 818583 fax: 22 676385

Is drink costing you more than just money? AA could be the answer.

him ( owner leaving island ) Great with kids Tel 96832275 / 22355790

Meeting at the following locations/days. Call to speak to an AA member.

***************************** A YOUNG KITTEN, now only a few days old needs a home. It was abandoned and now bottlefed. White, ginger and black in colour. Will be ready for adoption in a few weeks. Evi 99457849 ***************************** FOR SALE 2 male English cocker spaniel puppies, born 18th March, golden colour, with an excellent pedigree, vaccinated, microchip with registration number, lovely natured, DNA tested parents.

For information look at www. costopa.net or call 99884578 Anna ( Nicosia)

Ayia Napa Monday 97798043 Larnaca Tuesday (Polish spk) 96616589 Thursday 24645523 / 99259264 Limassol Tuesday / Wednesday / Friday / Saturday 25368265 / 99559322 Nicosia Wednesday/Sunday 99013596 Paphos Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday 99916331 / 99399240 Details of meetings are available on www.aa-europe.net ***************************** DOES SOMEONE ELSE’S DRINKING CAUSE YOU A PROBLEM? Al - Anon is for family and friends of those with a drinking problem. Call Nicosia 99 877205 for more information and details of meetings. *****************************

HEALTH & FITNESS ***************************** FULL BODY MASSAGE + AROMATHERAPY in classy surroundings in Kato Paphos – privacy & discretion. We offer you professional mausseurs, appointments necessary 1 Hour for 35 euro, call 96637039 - honest people ***************************** EIGHTSMILEYS OFFERS SUP (STAND UP PADDLE) LESSONS, RENTALS & SALES. A great way to release tension and stress at the same time exercise your body, made for all ages and genders. Find out more information on www. sup.com.cy facebook: Eightsmileys Kitesurfsup or call on 99355191 ***************************** CLINICAL PILATES. Personalised Clinical Pilates by Physiotherapists in Nicosia. Individual assessment and supervision of exercises. “Clinical pilates” is a modified form of therapeutic exercise used by physiotherapists to assist in the rehabilitation and prevention of musculoskeletal injury especially lower back pain, sacro-iliac pain and neck pain. More info on 22446988. *****************************

PETS ***************************** MAX VERY LOVING and gentle 7 year old lively pedigree miniature German Schnauzer needs loving family to ADOPT

LESSONS GREEK LESSONS for children and adults: reading; writing; speaking. Information: 99905862 (Larnaca) ***************************** PRIVATE TUITION - Experienced, UK-qualified teacher and tutor offers full / part time private home tuition in Maths, English, Science, Geography, History, Business Studies and Economics, from KS3 to iGCSE, AS and A2 levels. Telephone 26642781 or 99318796.

SERVICES BRITISH TIME SERVED CARPENTER covering all aspects of woodwork, home improvements, restoration, maintenance, no job too small. Work done to a high standard. For a quality job professionally done at sensible prices. Phone: 96618169 for a free quote – Paphos area PROFESSIONAL UPHOLSTERY CLEANING, also carpets, rugs and mattresses.

Special offers now available.

For a quote call Rickys Cleaning Services on 99131044 (all areas) rickyscleaningservices@gmail.com ***************************** UPHOLSTERY, RUG, BLINDS + CURTAIN CLEANING Rugs from 20€ - Carpets from 38€ Fabric Suites form 85€ - Leather Suites from 95€ - Mattresses from 25€. Curtains, Roman blinds, Vertical Blinds need to be surveyed. Collection Service available. For a free quotation call Mark on 70006766 All areas ***************************** DO YOU WANT A SHINY LOOKING FLOOR? Full repair & restoration of chipped, scratched,

Limassol - tel: 25 761117 fax: 25 761141

dull and stained, Marble, Terrazzo, Stone & Ceramic tiled floors and surfaces. Professional cleaning, repair & sealing of internal/external ceramic tiles & grout lines. For a free professional consultation & demonstration contact Mark at Premier on 70006766 or 96333961 All areas ***************************** SWIFT SERVICE AND REPAIRS air-cons, commercial and domestic fridges and freezers, ice machines, cool rooms, supply and fit air-cons VRV S. Call Nik on 99579602 Limassol ***************************** K.D.FLYSCREENS LTD We manufacture top quality sliding screens, opening doors and roller systems. We also do repairs. For a FREE QUOTE please contact Phone: 99119582 Website: www.kdflyscreens.com ***************************** KEEP YOUR HOME COOLER THIS SUMMER by having Windowfilm professionaly fitted.

Stops up to 86% of heat from entering your home! Windowfilm increases privacy, blocks harmful uv-rays which cause fading, reduces glare and saves energy costs on air-con.

Also keeps your home warmer in winter. Call Ian on 99979671 ***************************** K.D.FLYSCREENS LTD We manufacture top quality sliding screens, opening doors and roller systems. We also do repairs.

For a FREE QUOTE please contact Phone: 99119582 Website: www.kdflyscreens.com WE UNDERTAKE REFURBISHING of houses or holiday homes, construction of pergolas, undertaking of plumbing, house painting, garden work.

For information call JIMMYS: 96587137, MELIS: 96547879

Paphos - tel: 26 911383 fax: 26221049

€50 play table and stools €50 Bunk Bed set with ladder/ mattress €100 child’s bike €40 Child’s easy chairs €30 Easel €20 gas BBQ 80 vacuum cleaner Miele €80 Abstract canvasses from €10 ENGOMI 22355790 ***************************** OWNER RETURNING TO UK. Washing machine still under guarantee €250. Floor standing water cooler nearly new €85, under counter fridge nearly new €100, solid oak light dining table and 6 rattan chairs €250. Contact 99176231 FOR SALE 2.4 metre Satellite Dish for sale. Good condition. reasonable offer accepted.

Buyer Collects. Tel 24632691 or 96512257.

CLOTHES STOCKS AND SHOP FITTINGS FOR SALE. Excellent women’s brands for sale including Italian, Spanish and French clothes and shoes. Also women’s dummies and modern wall fittings (clothes rails.) Selling at very low prices for clearance. Tel: 99-168943

FOR SALE BUSINESS/ PROPERTY/LAND RESTAURANT FOR SALE Licensed restaurant in Yermasoyia tourist area in Limassol, due to the owner’s departure. Bargain price. Call: 99306674 ***************************** PLOT IN GEROSKIPOU, just 5 minutes from the Paphos centre, with magnificent sea views of the whole of Paphos, 640 square metres, attached to a green area, premium piece of land, €210.000, Tel 99403261 (owners)

JURIDICAL SERVICES Contracts, sales agreements, conveyancing, wills, administration of estates, general litigation, power of attorney, land registry matters, companies, translations, immigration etc... And all legal matters. Call: Natalia Michealidou – jurist, Paphos Tel: 26 933159 – 99523231 (office hours) *****************************

FOR SALE OR RENT - Kato Paphos – full moon bar, fully furnished and equipped, large flat screen TV’s + projector, fits 120 people comfortably, incredible opportunity for ready business!

Please call: 99493579

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE MOTOR VEHICLES

***************************** GLASS TOP dining table extendable 4 leather chairs €225 Beige 6 ft sofa matching easy chair €200 Black stereo/TV cabinet coffee table side tables €80 flat screen TV’s lamps rugs Photos emma8511@gmail. com ENGOMI Tel 22355790

****************************

FURNITURE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: Childs cot / mattress

FOR SALE factory with showroom, 1050m2, in private land, in Kokkinotrimithia industrial zone. Tel. 99849195.

Larnaca - tel: 24 652243 fax: 24 659982

classified contents Employment Opportunities pg 26 Employment Miscellaneous 26 Pets 26 Lessons 26 Health & Fitness 26 Personal 26 Services 26 For Sale Miscellaneous 26 For Sale Land/ Property Business 26 For Sale Motor vehicles 26 Wanted 27 To Let Nicosia 27 To Let Limassol 30 To Let Larnaca 30 To Let Paphos 31 To Let Protaras, Ayia Napa, Paralimni -To Let Athens -Land For Sale Bulgaria -For Sale Limassol 32 For Sale Nicosia 32 For Sale Larnaca 32 For Sale Paphos 32 For Sale Ayia Napa -For Sale Famagusta Protaras -For Sale Athens -Property& Home Services display ads 33

abbreviations bdrm c/h a/c s/pool f/f apt pm pw sw nw st rd p/s c/l swb r/cass e/w

bedroom central heating air conditioning swimming pool fully furnished apartment per month per week south west north west street road power steering central locking short wheel base radio cassette electric windows

Please note tel nos. that begin with: 22 = Nicosia 23 = Paralimni/Protaras 24 = Larnaca 25 = Limassol 26 = Paphos

27 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Advertiser

FOR SALE MOTOR VEHICLES

WANTED TO RENT

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

MAZDA RX8 2004 Black,(high power 247) electric locks, a/c ,fog lights, MD player, CD changer, TV/DVD, navigator, factory adjustable suspension soft/hard-up/down. 6+1 speed, body kit, MOT. The condition of the car is excellent. CALL 96871551 ****************************

*****************************

APARTMENT STUDIO 3rd floor very big veranda, a/c, covered parking, store room, solar heater, all the electrical appliances in Aglanzia Nicosia near University and near Lidl €460 PANICOS STAVRINOU estate agent r.n 497 Licences number 166/E tel 99666703 email yemo@cytanet.com.cy

NICOSIA

f/f., modern furniture, luxury €1000, Hilton 2 bdrm., wooden floors, modern building €850, Mak/ssa whole floor flat with/ without furniture €1200, villas Mak/ssa-Strovolos with pool and garden. Costas Markides Tel: 22378898/99464764, Reg. No. 487, E16. ***************************** FLATS/HOUSES FOR RENT studio Strovolos €250, Lykavitos €380 1bdrm Ag. Andreas €490, Makarios Av. €500 2 bdrm Acropolis new €700, Lykavitos furnish €600, Acropolis €530 3bdrm Parissinos house semidetached €550 Acropolis back house €300, Ag. Dometios independent house+garden €800, Acropolis €650, 4bdrm Ag. Andreas penthouse €800.

POSPORIDES ESTATES 99474839 99646822 Reg.338

TO LET 3 bdrm flat Kaimakli area near Frederic. Tel. 99606665. ****************************** LUXURY HOUSES: 1. 5 bedrs detached house, 550sq.m, built in 2 big plots of land, big garden with grass, big swimming pool with extra fence for children and big covered patio with bbq area, big reception areas with marble floor, fire place and bar, big kitchen with all electrical appliances and sitting room with fire place, maid’s room, floor heating, full a/c, blinds on the windows, master bedroom with en suite bathroom and shower, big bathroom for the other 3 bedrooms and extra shower in the 5th bedroom.

Available end of July - Strovolos €2500 (H5ST10001-R), (photos in the website).

***************************** LYCAVITOS 300sq.m., 3 bdrm office lux. €1500, Dasoupolis 2 bdrm., wooden floors modern design €750, Acropolis 3 bdrm

LUXURY 3 bedroom flat for rent, situated in a quiet but very central area of Ayios Andreas and Russian Embassies. For information and viewing please call 99585695, 99557393

WANTED TO RENT FLAT OR HOUSE TO RENT, 2-3 bedrooms, veranda/terrace or garden, prefer furnished, SW of Nicosia (in approx area Lakadamia to Kapedes and Kalo Chorio) alan.tye@birdlifecyprus.org.cy, 22455072, 99089083.

PROPERTY TO LET FOR SALE BMW 320i CONVERTIBLE, 2008, colour platinum bronze, 18’’ alloys, being leather, cruise control, front and rear parking sesonrs, lights-rain sensors, wind deflector, 45000 km, excellent condition, €30,900. For information call 99405122.

*****************************

ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT, in small quiet building, new, very spacious, fully furnished and air conditioned. Very good location between Strovolos and Engomi, close to The European University (Cyprus College) and all amenities. Covered parking. Rent €495/m.

Please call 99695382

CHILDCARE

English-Painter & Decorator

From a Cypriot - with 20 years experience in a kindergarten - looking after infants and children at her house in Nicosia

SUMMER OFFER 30% OFF ALL AREAS • External & Internal painting • Damp Damage Repairs • Spritze Repairs • Free Estimates + very clean work • All areas. All types of woodwork stained and preserved • All work guaranteed

ATPEX Fencing & Decking Specialist For all your Garden and Security Fencing ♦ Quality approved workmanship ♦ 15 years experience + guaranteed work ♦ English workers ♦ also garden gates ♦ sheds ♦ chain link fencing ♦ free estimates ♦ all types of fencing & decking

Tel. ATPEX fencing 99176557

***************************** TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR RENT IN ENGOMI near Cyprus college and Intercollege. Separate kitchen, one and a half bathrooms and airconditions. Equip with stove, fridge and washing machine.

Available immediately. For more information please contact Anthi at 99-537463

For information call 99781943

Fully Qualified 30 years’ Experience

Tel. Tony on 99176557

2. 3 bedrs luxury ground floor renovated semi detached house,210sq.m, with central heating, air conditions, solid parquet floor, fire place, big kitchen with all the electric appliances, 2 wc curtains, big veranda, big patio on the back

TO LET NICOSIA with bbq area, 2 covered parkings in a quiet neighborhood close to the Embassies –Engomi €1000 (H3ENG0002-R), (photos in the website) 3. 3 bedrs luxury terracedhouse, 210sq.m, central heating, full a/c, marble floor in the sitting areas and solid parquet floor the stairs and bedrooms,4wc,3 bathrooms the 2 en suite ,big verandas, electrical appliances in the kitchen,3 covered parking, roof garden access, in a quiet neighborhood on Mon Parnas Hill. Engomi €1000 (H3ENG0004-R), (photos in the website).

4. 3 bedr luxry detached house with 1 bedr flat in the basement, floor heating with gass a/c units, big kitchen with electrical appliances, 4 wc, 3 bathrooms, big garden with small pebbles, 2 covered parking, in a quiet area in a dead end. Can be rented furnished or not. AVAILABLE in August – Makedonitissa €1700 (H4MAK0027-R), (photos in the website).

5. 4 bedr+ attic room with shower and wc luxury detached house with separate maid’s room, central heating, a/c, separate office room, sitting and dining areas, big kitchen with dining room and big family room opening to the big garden with grass and bbq area, 2 covered parking, behind General flooring shop – Makedonitissa €3000 (H4MAK0025-R), (Photos on the website).

6. 3 bedr + big attic room which can be used as a bedroom/office, detached house, central heating, full a/c,3wc, 2 bathrooms, big sitting and dining

28 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA room, separate kitchen with all the electrical appliances, small garden and patio with bbq area, covered parking, near Apollonion hospital. Available end of July – Makedonitissa €1200 (H4MAK0016-R), (photos in the website) 7. 4 bedrs and sitting room upstairs luxury detached house, 380sq.m,room for the maid, central heating, full a/c, marble and parquet floor, big sitting and dining areas, office space, big verandas around the house, covered parking,3 bathrooms,4wc in a quiet area off Eleonon street, near Pizza Hut. AVAILABLE middle of July – Strovolos €1700 (H4ST10041-R), (photos in the website).

8. 4 bedr luxury detached house, 350sq.m, central heating, full a/c, office space, separate maid’s room, big storage room, solid parquet floor in the bedrooms, 2 covered parking, swimming pool, garden with trees, veranda with bbq area, big kitchen with all the electrical appliances, big sitting and dining areas, very near to English School, off Athalassas Avenue €2300 (H4ST10036-R), (photos

TO LET NICOSIA on the website).

9. 4 bedr detached house with central heating, a/c units, separate big kitchen with el. appliances, small garden at the back, covered parking, 3wc,2 bathrooms, near the French ambassador residence – Strovolos €1000 (H4ST10038-R), (Photos on the website).

10. 4 bedr new luxury finished top quality detached house, 290sq.m, central heating, full a/c, master bedroom with ensuite shower/jacuzzi, guest bedroom with shower, main bathroom with jacuzzi, 4wc, fully expensive furnished with 3 LCD televisions, kitchen with very expensive electrical appliances and family room, garden with grass, big covered patio with bbq area,2 covered parking’s, alarm system, pressure system, - Strovolos €3000 (H4STI0039-R), (Photos on the website).

11. 3 bedr + big attic room with shower and wc luxury new house,210sq.m, central heating, full a/c, 4wc, blinds on all windows, cooker and oven in the kitchen, small garden, cov-

TO LET NICOSIA ered parking near Alpha Mega supermarket - Strovolos €1400 (H4ST1007-R), (photos in the website).

12. 5 bedr new luxury finished detached house with separate maid’s room, one of the bedrooms with shower and wc and can be used as guest room,4 wc, solid parquet floor all the house, separate family room with fire place, big sitting room, separate dining room, big kitchen with breakfast area, big outside patio with tiles and bbq area,2 covered parking, electrical appliances in the kitchen, in a very quiet neighborhood close to CYBC station. Can be rented furnished or not. – Platy Aglantzias €3000 (H5PAG0001-R), (Photos on the website).

13. 4 bedr+ separate maid’s room luxury finished semi detached house with central heating, full a/c, big sitting and dining areas, big kitchen with family room, full expensive electrical appliances in the kitchen(Miele), 4wc, blinds on windows, big back yard with tiled and bbq area, covered parking in a quiet neighborhood with easy access to the French school – Aglantzia €1400 (H4AGZ0008-R), (photos in the website).

14. 3 bedr luxury house, nicely modern furnished with big sitting and dining areas with bar, central heating, full a/c, big fitted kitchen with TV room, office space, patio area with bbq, covered parking, 3wc, solid parquet floor in bedrooms and granite in the sitting areas, near

TO LET NICOSIA the MEGA TV station – Archangelos €1300 (H3AR0002-R), (photos in the website).

15. 4 bedr house built in 2 plots,3 bedrs upstairs and one down, big garden with grass, bbq area with kiosk, Central Heating ,full AC,240sq.m,parquet floor,2 showers,3wc,electrical appliances in the kitchen, in a very quiet neighbourhood.

Available in aprox. one month from signing contracts. CAN BE RENTED ALSO FURNISHED OR PARTIALLY FURNISHED – Agios Andreas €2000 (H4AAD0006-R), (photos in the website).

16. 3 bedr + office space +separate maid’s room detached luxury house, 450sq.m, recently renovated, with central heating, full a/c, big sitting and dining area with parquet floor, TV room with fire place, big kitchen with breakfast area and fitted cooker and oven, 4 wc, roller blinds on all windows, very big verandas and yard, covered parking, in a very quiet neighborhood in the centre of Makedonitissa opposite a playground. AVAILABLE MID JULY - €1400 (H4MAK0003-R), (photos in the website).

17. 3 bedr+ attic room which can be used for bedroom or office, luxury semi detached house, with central heating, full a/c, big separate kitchen with cooker and oven, blinds, big patio with tiles and trees on the back and covered veranda on thr front, parking, in a quiet area off 28th October street in the centre of Makedonitissa €1200 (H4MAK0026-R), (photos in

TO LET NICOSIA the website) 18. New luxury 4 bedr + very big 40sq.m attic room with shower and wc semi detached house, 300 sq.m, central heating, full air condition, big sitting and dining areas, 4 wc, 2 showers,1 bathroom, solar heater, pressure system, covered parking, big back yard with tiles, blinds, cooker, oven and, refrigerator in the kitchen, in a very quiet neighborhood and area – Agios Dometios €1500 (H4ADO0004-R).

19. 3 bedr new modern luxury detached house,180sq.m,central heating, full a/c, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, cooker and oven in the kitchen, blinds on all windows, off Tseriou Avenue. THE house is unfurnished. Lakatamia €775 (H3LAK0001-R), (photos in the website).

20. 3 bedr+ separate maid’s room semi detached house, 250sq.m, central heating, full a/c, big sitting and dining areas, big kitchen with family room, 4wc, 2 bathrooms, 1 shower, 2 covered parking, big verandas and big covered patio with bbq, big covered veranda for the winter on the back, fully furnished and equipped, in a quiet neighborhood very close to all amenities and Apha Mega supermarket - Acropolis €1100 (H4ACS0001-R), (photos in the website).

21. 3 bedr detached house partially renovated 240sq.m with central heating, full a/c, separate tv room with fire place, big sitting and dining room, separate kitchen with small family room, 3wc, big verandas and patio with deck and bbq area, covered parking in a quiet neighborhood behind Areteion hospital close to Falcon school - Dasoupoli €1950 (H3DAS0006-R), (photos in the website).

22. 4 bedrs new luxury detached house, 330sq.m, central heating, full a/c, 2 covered parking’s, big kitchen with sitting

TO LET NICOSIA room and all the electrical appliances, blinds on the windows, 2 bedrs with en suite shower, bathroom with jacuzzi, swimming pool with patio and nice covered bbq area, opposite a green area in a very quiet area - Available end of JUNE – Strovolos €3000 (photos in the website).

23. 4 bedr luxury detached house, separate maid’s room, 600 sq.m, central heating, full a/c, 6 wc, 4 bathrooms, big sitting and dining areas opening on to the garden, big kitchen with electrical appliances, built in 2 big plots of land with huge garden with grass, swimming pool, 2 covered parking, in a quiet neighbourhood close to Alpha Mega supermarket Engomi - €3700 (H4PA20005-R), (photos on the website).

24. 4 bedr luxury detached house with expensive finishes, office space, separate maid’s room, 3 of the bedrooms with en suite shower/bathroom, floor heating, full air condition, white marble floor all the house, fire place, lighting fixtures, big kitchen with all the electrical appliances, swimming pool with bbq area, small garden,2 covered parking’s in a nice neighbourhood with expensive houses near KEMA building – Platy Aglantzias €3500 (H4PAG0004-R), (photos in the website).

For many more properties with photos visit our website at www.landtouristestates.com which is updated daily. LANDTOURIST ESTATES LTD 22422225/96-422225/96422226, www.landtouristestates.com ***************************** LUXURY FLATS: 1. 2 bedr luxury fully renovated apartment, storage heaters, 3 a/c, separate big kitchen, big sitting dining room, fully modern furnished and equipped with solid parquet floor off Prodromou street – Engomi €600 (A2ENG0010-R), (photos in the

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION On May 21st, 2012 in accordance with Section 14.81.1 C of the Liberian Business Corporation ActDogonLtd (“Company”) with registration number C-37274 doing business at 9 Marikas Kotopouli Street, 3030 Limassol the shareholders have agreed to dissolve the Company.

1. All claims against the assets of the Company must be made in writing and include the claim amount, basis and origination date.

2. The deadline for submitting claims is 23rd November 2012 3. Any claims that are not received by the company prior to the date set forth above will not be recognized.

5. All claims and payments must be sent to P. O Box 53766, 3317 Limassol, Cyprus Dated: March 22nd, 2012.

Camilla Strømstad Liquidation board

29 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

TO LET NICOSIA website).

2. 2 bedr new luxury modern, 2 storey apartment with solid parquet floor, floor heating independent, full a/c, 2 bathrooms, 2 wc, expensive fitted electrical appliances, blinds, covered veranda with very nice view, in a quiet neighbourhood on a modern design building.

AVAILABLE 1st of August – Aglantzia €750 (A2AGZ0021-R), (photos on the website).

3. 1 bedr luxury spacious apartment with big sitting room, separate kitchen with electri-

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

cal appliances, central heating independent with diesel,2 a/c, aluminum shutters in the bedrooms, covered veranda, covered parking, storage room, on a small quiet building in a quiet neighborhood – Agios Dometios €450 (A1ADO0004-R), (photos in the website).

4. 3 bedr luxury PENTHOUSE apartment with storage heaters, full a/c, office space, very big veranda 100sq.m with nice view and bbq area with bar, NICELY MODERN FURNISHED, 2 bathrooms, 2 storage rooms,

6. 3 bedr luxury apartment with storage heaters, full a/c, 2 bathrooms, electrical appliances in the kitchen, big covered veranda, covered parking, near Ippokration hospital – Engomi €700 (A3ENG0024-R), (photos in the website).

2 bathrooms, a/c for hot and cold (Mitsubishi), storage heaters can be installed if needed, electrical shutters in the bedrooms, pressure system, water serculation system, solar, electrical appliances in the kitchen, blinds, covered veranda, 2 COVERED PARKING, storage room, near the centre and near traffic lights of Honda showroom. – Agioi Omologites €700 (A2AOM0007-R)

7. 2 bedr brand new luxury finished apartment on a small modern design building with

8. 3 bedr new luxury spacious apartment, 150sq.m+big covered veranda, big sitting and

covered parking, in a small building near Hilton park and Ippokration hospital – Engomi €1000 (A3ENG0023-R), (photos in the website).

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TO LET NICOSIA

www.centurycyprus.com

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TO LET NICOSIA dining room, nicely furnished big separate kitchen with cooker and oven, 3 wc, 2 bathrooms, big bedrooms, a/c for hot and cold in all the rooms, electrical heating if needed, covered parking and big room on the ground floor with window which can be used for a maid or office, in a very quite neighbourhood in a small building – Agios Dometios €750 (A3ADO0006-R), (photos in the website) 9. 3 bedr new luxury penthouse apartment on the last floor of a

TO LET NICOSIA 3 storey building, CH ind, full a/c, pressure system, cooker and oven in the kitchen, blinds in the living room, 2 bathrooms, 130sq.m, big veranda with view, covered parking, 200m opposite Akropolis park. AVAILABLE 1st of August – Acropolis €850(A3ACS0039-R), (photos on the website).

10. 2 bedr new luxury finished apartment with a/c for hot and cold, NICELY MODERN FURNISHED, big covered veranda,2 bathrooms,2wc,covered parking, storage room, secured en-

30 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA trance building in a very quiet neighborhood – Aglantzia €650 (A2AGZ0022-R), (photos in the website) 11. 1 bedr apartment, 55sq.m, separate kitchen, fully furnished and equipped with television in good condition,2 AC for hot and cold on Makarios Avenue near Debenhams. Available for short and long term – Nicosia Centre €450 (A1NIC0002-R), (photos in the website).

12. 1 bedr apartment with storage heaters, 2 a/c, big bathroom, NICELY FUNRISHED, covered parking, covered veranda with nice view, in a quiet area near Ippokration hospital – Engomi €500 (A1ENG0009-R), (photos in the website).

13. New luxury 2 bedr apartment with nice view, 100sq.m, big sitting & dining area, big separate kitchen with cooker and oven, big covered verandah, 2 wc, storage heaters, 2 a/c, electric shutters in the bedrooms, covered parking and storage room on the 11th floor of a small building with 6 flats only 200 meters for Akropolis park and opposite a small neighborhood park – Dasoupolis €570 (A2DAS0001-R), (photos in the website).

14. New luxury modern 3 bedr apartment,145sq.m big covered veranda with nice view, a/c in all the rooms, electrical heating, cooker and oven in the kitchen, big sitting and dining room,2 bathrooms, laundry room, covered parking and storage room off Kennedy Avenue behind KPMG offices – Acropolis €900(A3ACS0038-R),

TO LET NICOSIA (photos on the website).

15. 2 bedr brand new luxury finished apartment in a modern luxury building with independent central heating, full a/c, 2 bathrooms, 2 wc, aluminum shutters in the bedrooms, cooker, oven, fridge and washing machine in the kitchen, big veranda, electric parking entrance, covered parking and colour intercom. Price includes cable net service with 10mb and TV satellite channels – Acropolis €700 (A2ACS0004-R), (photos in the website).

16. New luxury 2 bedr apartment with central heating independent, full ac, fully modern nicely furnished and equipped, big covered verandah, 2 wc, covered parking opposite Hilton, off Makarios Avenue close to the centre – Lykavitos €650 (A2LYK0003-R), (photos in the website) 17. Fully renovated luxury 1 bed apartment,60 sq.m, fully furnished and equipped with internet, LCD 32 ‘ TV, in the centre of Nicosia near Debenhams, with 2 a/c for hot and cold. – Nicosia Centre €550 (A1NIC0003-R), (photos in the website).

18.

4 bedr luxury floor apartment,250sq.m, office, maid’s room, central heating ind, full a/c,2 showers, 1 bathroom, 3wc, parquet floor, big kitchen with cooker and oven, big sitting area, roller blinds on all the windows, big veranda on a small building off Athalasas Avenue near Alpha Mega supermarket and Areteion hospital – Dasoupolis €1100 (A4DAS002-R), (photos on the

TO LET NICOSIA website) 19. 2 bedr luxury apartment, 95sq.m, 4 AC for hot and cold, fully newly furnished and equipped, covered verandah, 2 wc, covered parking off Makarios Avenue between Hilton and Debenhams – Nicosia Centre €700. Can be rented also for 6 months for €1100 per month (A2NIC0024-R), (photos in the website) 20. 2 bedrs ground floor big apartment.130 sq.m, CH independent, 3 A/C, very big bedrooms with parquet floor, big sitting and dining area, big separate kitchen, fully nicely furnished, on a small 2 storey building off Makarios Avenue behind Hilton hotel walking distance to the centre - Nicosia Centre €550 (A2NIC0002-R), (Photos on the website).

21. 3 bedr spacious apartment, 150sq.m, central heating independent, 3a/c, big sitting room,2 bathrooms,2wc,covered veranda, in a small building with 2 flats only, covered parking, near Hilton Park hotel – Engomi €750 (A3ENG0022-R), (photos in the website).

22. 2 bedr new luxury modern, 2 storey & apartment with solid parquet floor, floor heating independent, full a/c, 2 bathrooms,2wc, expensive fitted electrical appliances, blinds, covered veranda with very nice view, in a quiet neighborhood in a modern design building. AVAILABLE 1st of August – Aglantzia €750 (A2AGZ0021-R), (photos in the website).

23. 1 bedr, fully furnished and

TO LET NICOSIA equipped apartment, 50 sq.m, 2 a/c, for hot and cold, covered verandah, covered parking, off Makarios Avenue between Hilton and DEBENHAMS shop.

Available middle July – Nicosia Centre €550 (A1NIC0006-R), (photos in the website).

24. 3 bedr+ separate maid”s room (with shower and wc) luxury apartment with central heating independent, full a/c, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, big separate kitchen with breakfast area and electrical appliances, big sitting and dining area with solid parquet floor, big covered veranda, blinds, alarm system, 2 parking, in a quiet area off Makarios Avenue near Hilton – Nicosia Centre (A3NIC0023-R), (photos in the website).

25. 2 bedr new luxury finished and FURNISHED ground floor apartment, 80sq.m +120sq.m veranda and garden, separate floor heating, full a/c, 2wc, aluminum shutters outside the windows, pressure system, fully expensively fitted with electrical appliances in the kitchen, big covered parking and big storage room, off Athallassa Avenue near English School in a small modern building.

AVAILABLE 1st of AUGUST – Strovolos €800 (A2ST10023-R), (photos in the website).

26. 3 bed brand new luxury finished apartment in a small modern design building with 2 bathrooms(one en suite), expensive electrical appliances in the kitchen, double glazed windows with electrical shutter, covered veranda, pressure system, solar heater, central satellite antenna, 2 covered

TO LET NICOSIA parkings, storage room, security entrance, close to Honda traffic lights walking distance to the centre – Agioi Omologites €850 (A3AOM0009-R), (photos in the website).

For many more properties with photos visit our website at www.landtouristestates.com which is updated daily. LANDTOURIST ESTATES LTD 22422225 / 96-422225 / 96422226 www.landtouristestates.com ******************************

LIMASSOL GROUND FLOOR HOUSE, furnished renovated this year.

Laminated parke floor, and big wardrobes in the 3 bedrooms.

Rent €590.00 Tel 99497576 99886775 ***************************** UN-DETACHED HOUSE FOR RENT in Apshiou village, 2 bedroom, kitchen, sitting room, bathroom with solar water heater. A/C, satellite, 15mins to roundabout. Parking space available. €400. Tel 25369219, work 10.30-17.30 25542968 home 99773151 LIMASSOL, RENT: Office of around 110 m2, with partitions, split units, kitchenette and parking in a peaceful, green yet central area at Helladion House(off. 201), 5 Andrea Kalvou Str. For viewing, please knock on off. 202(2nd flloor).

For further details, please call 25-521873 or 25-731163 after 8:00pm.

LIMASSOL. Spacious modern

TO LET LIMASSOL 2 bedroom flat, tranquil block, central residential area, sea and mountains views. Full a/c. Solar water heater, power shower. Covered parking. Real wood flooring. Italian kitchen. New Sony TV DVD. Fully equipped. 99409829 info@idclimassol.org FOR RENT IN CENTRE OF LANIA village a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom modernised old village house. Unfurnished, 425 euro pcm Tel 99305491.

OFFICE FOR RENT OPPOSITE SEA WITH amazing sea views.

120sqm, 2 bathrooms, kitchen.

Security system, cabling and server room ready. Price € 1400/month negotiable tel. 99 330 908 www.cyprusre.com/ listing-LIM-0103 *****************************

LARNACA APARTMENT 2 bedroom ground floor ,Semi Furnished,all the electrical appliances in Larnaca Dekelia road, near Intercollege Larnaca. Solar heater, a/c €460 PANICOS STAVRINOU estate agent r.n 497 Licences number 166/E tel 99666703 email yemo@cytanet.com.cy FULLY FURNISHED one bedroom flat near Larco hotel Larnaca. Price €370. Tel: 99202543 ***************************** 1. K.S.L LETTINGS – APARTMENT FOR RENT Fully Furnished ground floor 2 bedroom apartment, overlooking pool. Beautifully furnished

31 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

TO LET LARNACA throughout. 350 Euros per calendar month. Larnaca District. Quote TLL884. Tel. (00357) 24815104 2. K.S.L LETTINGS – Properties Required for waiting Long Term Tenants. We desperately require 2/3 & 4 bedroom villa’s with private swimming pools for waiting tenants in the Larnaca District. Please call us for a free valuation. Tel. (00357) 24815104 3. K.S.L LETTINGS – largest range of properties. Over 200 rental properties in the Larnaca district at the most competitive rates! Flexible contracts available. Tel. (00357) 24815104 4. WWW.KSLLETTINGS.COM – VILLA FOR RENT Fully furnished 3 bedroom Villa with a good-sized rear garden & Communal pool, located in the village of Oroklini. Call for further information quoting Ref. TLL1189. Tel. (00357) 24815104 CALL 24 815 104 TO ENQUIRE OR ARRANGE A VIEWING – NO OBLIGATION OR FEES. VIEW OUR FULL RANGE OF OVER 200 PROPERTIES

BY VISITING WWW.KSLLETTINGS.COM UPDATED DAILY. LANDLORDS ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY FOR FREE AND GET WORLD WIDE ADVERTISING – NO TENANT NO FEE ! ****************************

PAPHOS FOR RENT 3 BDRM house in

Advertiser TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

Paphos excellent position (near CYTA) D Mavrogenous no 9. Tel 99376507. **************************** For your consideration

house, beautiful green areas with a lot of mature trees, only four houses in the project, swimming pool available. Walking distance to shops, €350 per month. Call 99439891 **************************** LUXURY PRIVATE NEW VILLA, seven bedrooms, swimming pool, satellite, TV, outdoor hot tub-spa, panoramic view, playground area, pool billiardsoccer table, table tennis, beautiful garden, coral bay area Pegia village/Paphos town, call 96351179

phos. Separate Living area/ kitchen and bedroom. Fully furnished (washing machine etc.) Covered veranda, and undercover designated parking. Only Euro 215/month inc. communal charges. Phone 99-310481. **************************** AYIOS DEMETRIANOS 3 bedroom villa with swimming pool, large established garden, sea views, unfurnished, very quiet area. Euro 550 per month - ono. Call: 99127195 **************************** BEAUTIFUL, 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, furnished and fully air-conditioned, situated close to Carrefour €330.

And a 1 bed new apt, attractive and spacious, furnished with S.pool, in Chlorakas, 500 meters from the St. George hotel €290. OWNERS, TEL 99403261, 26934650 ***************************** GREAT VALUE STUDIO FLAT FOR RENT - Large modern studio flat in small residential block, in central Paphos, 5 minutes from town centre, 2 minutes from motorway, and 10 minutes from Kato Paphos.

Separate Living area/kitchen and bedroom. Fully furnished (washing machine etc.) Covered veranda, and undercover designated parking. Only €215/month inc. communal charges. Phone 99-310481. ***************************** 6 BEDROOM, luxury detached villa in Chlorakas, for rent.

Breathtaking, unobscured sea and mountain views. Close to all amenities, located in a culde-sac in Melanos area with

a private road. 6 bed, 2 bathrooms (+2en suite), utility room, outdoor storage, Jacuzzi, private pool, fully A/C, fitted kitchen, large verandas and landscaped gardens. Long term let or sale by owner, call 99414920 **************************** 1. YEROSKIPOU AREA, euro 380, beautiful 2 bed, first floor apartment, fully furnished, large bathroom, large balcony.

1. KATHIKAS AREA €450 a modern 2 bedroom, stone walled villa with sea views, large swimming pool and 650 sq metres garden. In a quiet cul-de-sac, available unfurnished or furnished. Solar panels and pressurised water system. A great villa in a fabulous village. Will accept pets.

2. TREMITHOUSA €275 situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, this furnished modern 3 bedroom detached house with small garden is available, a/c throughout and satellite broadband. Offering fantastic views of the sea.

3. TREMITHOUSA €250 luxury 2 bedroom maisonette. Fully furnished with modern furniture and satellite broadband.

Modern furniture with new appliances. & A/c throughout.

Good sea views. Located in a fabulous village. A must see!

4. CENTRAL PAPHOS €250 modern 1 bedroom top floor apartment, opposite bowling, master with walk-in wardrobe. Fully furnished with all appliances. Lift to all floors.

This complex offers a lovely communal pool area and security barrier entrance. Close to amenities, a great central location.

Call Val on 99166563 Or Liz on 96703403 **************************** FOR RENT 2 bedroom town-

UNIVERSAL AREA, 2 bedroom modern furnished town house, communal pool Euro 450 per month Tel 99387842 ***************************** ANAVARGOS, 3 bedroom detached house, low maintenance garden, communal pool, very close to international school, Unfurnished or furnished, euro 550 per month Tel: 99239262 ***************************** EPISKOPI – PAPHOS, 3 bedroom bungalow, unfurnished, a/con, fire-place, spectacular mountain views, large established garden with irrigation, swimming pool, very quiet location, euro 650 ono – long term Please call Micheal: 99655636 - no agents **************************** GREAT VALUE STUDIO FLAT FOR RENT, - Large modern studio flat in small residential block, in central Paphos, 5 minutes from town centre, 2 minutes from motorway, and 10 minutes from Kato Pa-

2.

YEROSKIPOU AREA, 3 bedroom villa with pool, unfurnished, large garden and ample parking. Main bedroom en-suite, ground floor w/c with cloakroom, separate kitchen area. Euro 500 per month

3. UNIVERSAL, 1 bedroom apartment on ground floor with garden, patio to front, well maintained complex with pool, fully furnished, euro 300 per month ono 4. MESA CHORIO, 2 bedroom apartment , modern furniture, fully equipped, one bedroom

TO LET PAPHOS en-suite + one bathroom, panoramic views, well maintained complex with pool, euro 400 per month ono MANY MORE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE - CALL : 96753677 **************************** ONE BEDROOM fully furnished apartment for rent in Kissonerga. Near Cynthiana Beach hotel and close proximity to Coral Bay. Overlooking the sea and 100 metres from beach. AC in bedroom. Tel: 99-492521/ 99- 673276 **************************** PROPERTY TO RENT Chloraka: 3 bedroom u/f detached house, enclosed garden, A/C, oven hob extractor, €550 per month REF: JAP3V159 Tombs Of The Kings: 1st floor F/F apartment, 1 bedroom, st TV, A/C, sea views, communal pool €350 per month REF: JAP1A024 Peyia: 2 bedroom F/F apartment

Salamis Sport Bar & Restaurant Every Monday & Tuesday Live International Music A tribute to Elvis 60s 70s 80s and much more KARAOKE

(All Irish channels) Wimbledon 2012

Mackenzie Beach Larnaca (behind Flamingo Hotel) Everyone is welcome for food or drink (no extra charge)

For information call 24623761

THE AUCTION HOUSE

ARCH MAKARIOS ST NO 68, SHOP 1, YEROSKIPOU TEL: 97857725 EMAIL: auctionhouse1@hotmail.com

NOTICE OF SPECIALIST AUCTION TO BE HELD ON 18TH JULY VIEWING 5PM SALE STARTS 7PM WEDNESDAY 18TH JULY SALE TO INCLUDE: FINE JEWELLERY, COSTUME JEWELLERY COLLECTABLES, MILITARIA, COINS ORIGINAL ARTWORK, ANTIQUES, CRYSTAL, FINE PORCELAIN, AIR CONDITIONED AUCTION HALL VALUATIONS CONDUCTED ENTRIES FOR SALE INVITED

To All Our Customers Relocation Please note that Abbeygate Offices are re-locating as from the 2nd of July 2012 New Address : Shop 1, 21 Mesogi Ave, Mesogi, Pafos 8280 Cyprus (00-357) 268 19175 or e-mail us via: cyprus@abbeygateinsure.com

32 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser TO LET PAPHOS A/C, communal pool, Sauna, Gym. €425 per month neg REF: JAP2A191 Emba: 3 bedroom u/f house, A/C, white goods, communal pool, €500 per month REF: JAP3V053 Peyia: 2 bedroom f/f townhouse, sat TV, A/C, fly-screens, Cyta line, communal pool, €400 per month neg REF: JAP2T140 Kato paphos: 2 bedroom furn apartment, shutters, A/C, close to bar street. €400 per month REF: JAP2A186 Peyia: 3 bedroom furnished villa, com pool, enclosed gardens, car port, Internet access, nile sat. A/C. €500 per month neg REF: JAP3V193 Trimathousa. 2 bed f/f townhouse, pets allowed, enclosed garden, quiet road, village setting.REF: JAP2T190 Holiday property management/ cleans changeover service available. We urgently require properties in all areas for waiting clients.

JOHN ALICE PROPERTIES TEL: 00357 99984681 WEB: WWW.JOHNALICE-PROPERTIES.COM **************************** FOR RENT a selection of 1,2&3 bedroom houses & apartments f/f & u/f. Universal, Peyia, Tomb of the Kings, Tsada & Chloraka. Please view at our website www.cyprussands.com or call 99329357.

Fully registered company in Cyprus.

PEYIA – 3 bedroom villa with modern quality furniture and finishes.

Central heating, sky, alarm, infinity pool and stunnning sea and mountain views €700 per month, call : 99389426 BRAND NEW APT, opposite Poseidonio Gym, near Carrefour,

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

F/F, a/c, great quality, 1 bdrm, from €340p.m.Tel 99403261 ***************************** MR RENT PAPHOS, THE LEADING PROPERTY RENTAL AGENCY IN PAPHOS OFFICE: 26271858 (00357) IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY TO RENT WE ARE THE RENTAL AGENCY TO CONTACT OFFERING FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & RENT COLLECTION SERVICE

5. LOWER PEYIA €700 unfurnished 3 bedroom bungalow, master with ensuite. Spacious kitchen & living area.

Enclosed garden with well & private pool offering sea views. Rental price includes pool cleaning. Covered veranda, private drive for off street parking. Situated in a quiet residential area.

1. PEYIA €375 luxury modern 2 bedroom apartment. Beautifully furnished with modern furniture includes Miele kitchen appliances, fly screens, plasma TV with set up showing UK channels. Close to Peyia village on a great complex with gardens, large c/pool, hot tub, indoor pool, sauna & gym. Undercover parking & storage.

2. UNIVERSAL AREA €450 spacious 2 bedroom townhouse situated in great central location, not on a complex, with enclosed garden & jacuzzi hot tub. Fully furnished with good furniture. Private drive for off street parking.

3. KAMARES €600 detached 3 bedroom bungalow, master with ensuite. Situated in the sought after residential area of Tala. Offering a peaceful setting with covered veranda and views of the sea & mountains. Fully furnished with gas central heating and real working fireplace for those winter months. A lovely home with character.

4. TALA €675 unfurnished modern 3 bedroom detached villa offering total privacy & breathtaking sea views. Includes underfloor heating plus real fire. Master with ensuite. Large storage room.

Shutters & flyscreens. Covered veranda, garden with mature plants, private pool offering sea views. Off street

4bed, “Corner Stone” 6 months Title ready in

1-5 bed villas & cottages

U SEFUL PHONE NUMBERS POLICE DIVISION HQ

HOSPITALS ........ 1400

Nicosia ........................22 802 020 Limassol ......................25 805 050 Larnaca .......................24 804 040 Paphos ........................26 806 060 Famagusta ..................23 803 030

Nicosia General .............22-801400 Nicosia Makarios ...........22-405000 Limassol Old ................25-305333 Limassol New ................25-801100 Larnaca Old...................24-630312 Larnaca New .................24-630300 Paphos ..........................26-821800 Famagusta ....................23-821211

Drug Law Enforcement Unit ......................................... 1498 (Confidential Information) Rescue Co-ordination Centre ............................. 1441 (Immediate Response Service for Aeronautical or Maritime Accident & Incidents) Game Fund Service: (Wildlife and hunting) Central offices (Nicosia): 22867786, 22-867897 Nicosia: 22-664606, 99-445697 Limassol: 25-343800, 99-445728, Larnaca/Famagusta: 24-805128, 99-634325 Paphos: 26-306211, 99-445679 Forest Fires ..................... 1407

Narcotics Helpline ......... 1410 (Outside hours.............. 22-304160) AIDS Advisory Bureau ................................ 22-302826 Domestic Violence Centre .......................................... 1440 (Emergency Centre for Victims) Drug Info & Poison Control ............... 1401 Cyprus Samaritans ... 77777267 Police Duty Officer ......... 1499 (Confidential Information) Airports Larnaca ..........................77778833 Paphos ...........................77778833

parking. a beautiful home.

6. KONIA €700 new to the market this spacious detached 3 bedroom villa, master with ensuite. Guest wc. Beautifully furnished with quality modern furniture. Separate modern fitted kitchen plus separate utility room. Shutters to all windows. Roof terrace with sea views. Fully enclosed garden with storage shed, covered barbeque area and private pool offering lovely views.

7. TALA €1300 magnificent modern 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa, furnished with designer modern furniture, though can be available unfurnished if desired. Large modern fitted kitchen with top brand appliances. Includes gas central heating & working fireplace. Beautifully designed & spacious with undercover parking, private pool & sea views. A must to see!

8. ANARITA €1800 amazing 4 bedroom detached villa, this stunning property offers top of the range modern kitchen.

Spacious living rooms, all bedrooms with modern ensuites. Landscaped gardens with private pool offering total privacy & covered barbeque area, great for entertaining.

Available fully furnished or unfurnished & includes gas central heating & so much more.

Tel: 97790883 Tel: 99133422 office: 26271858 visit our website for many more properties www.mrrentpaphos.net email: info@ mrrent-paphos.net **************************** RENTAL POINT - PAPHOS * PROPERTIES AVAILABLE TO RENT IN THE PAPHOS DISTRICT. JUST A SMALL SAMPLE OF AVAILABLE PROPERTIES. ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR LONG TERM RENTAL. CALL 97641764 FOR MORE INFORMATION. LANDLORDS CALL IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY FOR RENT.!!!

1. LOWER PEYIA – 5 bed 2 bath fully furnished villa set in good area. Open plan living

TO LET PAPHOS area. Separate kitchen with D/W.W/M etc. 2 ground floor bedrooms with bathroom.

Stairs to 3 additional bedrooms and bathroom. Doors out to large roof terrace with views. Outside parking for 3 cars, large swimming pool, BBQ and water feature. Landscaped gardens. A/C. Euros 800.00 a month 2. TRIMITHOUSA 3 bed 2. bath unfurnished apartment/ house set in quiet location with views. Open plan living area and dining area. Fully fitted kitchen with appliances . Guest WC. 3 double bedrooms. Family bathroom.

Large balcony, off-street parking. Euros 400.00 a month.

3. KATHIKAS – 3 bed,2 bath unfurnished stone bungalow with no immediate neighbours. Open plan living area with fireplace with log burner.

Fitted kitchen, utility room. 3 bedrooms, master with ensuite. Family bathroom. Parking, Swimming pool and landscaped garden areas. Very quiet area. Euros 600.00 a month 4. CHLORAKAS – 2 Bed, 2. bath fully furnished apartments (2 available) in good location close to amenities.

Open plan living area with dining space. Fitted kitchen, 2 double bedrooms. Bathroom. Off street parking & comm. Pool. Euros 395.00 a month inclusive of municipal taxes.

5. GOUDI (near Polis) Outstanding 3 bed, 3.5 bath unfurnished villa. Set in a rural setting the property enjoys privacy with no immediate neighbours. Open plan living area, spacious fitted kitchen. Guest WC. Ground floor bedroom with en-suite.

Stairs to 2 further double bedroom with en-suite. Breakfast area with hob & fridge and seating space. Doors out to large covered verandah with panoramic views. Full A/C, C/H, garage, over-flow tiled pool, SKY dish. Villa has substantial insulation to walls and floors. Large gardens. Euros 800.00 per month.

6. UNIVERSAL AREA. 2 bed fully furnished apartment.

Living area, fitted kitchen. 2 double bedrooms and family bathroom. A/C, balcony, shutters, comm. Pool and parking. Euros 400.00 a month or offers. 1 & 2 bed apartments available on Universal.

7. TALA - 5 bed, 3.5 bath large fully furnished villa. Very large property with open plan living area. Fitted kitchen, storage cupboard, guest WC. 2 bedrooms, bathroom on this

TO LET PAPHOS level with small seating area.

Ideal for dual living. Stairs up to 3 double bedroom, en-suite & family bathroom.

Heated swimming pool, A/C, C/H. Electric gates and garden areas. Parking for several cars.Euros 1500.00 per month or offers.

8. LOWER PEYIA. 3 bed, 3 bath villa. Set in pretty location. Open plan living area, fitted kitchen. Guest WC. 3 bedrooms one with en-suite.

Family bathroom. Pool, landscaped gardens and parking.

Available furnished or unfurnished. Euros 550.00 per month.

FOR FULL LISTINGS OF A PA R T M E N T S / T O W N HOUSES AND VILLA PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS. ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR LONG TERM RENTAL LANDLORDS/ OWNERS PLEASE CALL PLEASE CALL 97648440 or email:- inforentals@aol. com **************************** REFURBISHED stone-built village house located in Kili Paphos. Consists of 3 large rooms 1 small. Traditional wood burnt fireplace, fully tiled secluded yard and garage. Tel: 99210610.

PROPERTY FOR SALE NICOSIA 3 BEDROOM Luxury Apartment in a lovely neighbourhood of Nicosia (Ayios Andreas) Bldg 12 years old 123 Sqm Covered area, Central Heating, Air Cond e.t.c Price 210 K Euro. For Details please call 99-379904 **************************** FLAT FOR SALE/RENT: ‘ITHAKI’ is a small 3 Storey brand new building, only 5 units located in quiet neighbourhood in Strovolos, near Falcon school. ITHAKI has only 2 completed 3 bedroom apartments per floor. And on 3rd floor an independent 3 bedroom penthouse with a roof garden. Italian Kitchen, big verandas, big storeroom and convenient parking. PANICOS STAVRINOU ESTATE AGENT R.N.497 99666703 email yemo@cytanet.com.cy **************************** FOR SALE is a building with 4 flats, each 3 bedroom. 2 on the ground floor with yards, and 2 on the first floor. 2 on first floor completely renovated. Located in quiet area.

Building recently plastered and painted. €850,000 negotiable Call: 99 330 908

FOR SALE NICOSIA FOR SALE PENTHOUSE between Armenias Str and Hilton Hotel. 3 bedroom, main bedroom with shower, c/h, fireplace, large verandas. For more information please call: 99467596.

LIMASSOL A SEA SIDE BUNGALOW one bedroom and open plan living room with kitchen and bathroom, two verandas and a swimming pool in front. In excellent condition with A/C. Situated inThera complex near The Meridien hotel and the Marina of Limassol. Sale for €450.000.

Rent €950 per month. Call 99624499 ****************************

SALE LIMASSOL 2 bed flat on beach road; light, airy with balcony. New flooring, a/c units, lift 2nd floor, windows 3 sides, own car space. TITLE DEEDS. €115,000. Tel 99178141 www.homesinternational.info (Les Bois) ****************************

LARNACA NEAR MARONI Coastline Larnaca 2 bdrm bungalow on large plot Wrap around veranda with sea & mountain views, Large lounge/dining room, Large Kitchen, Full C/H Provision for a/c All furniture & car included €295,000 99147929

PAPHOS HOUSE FOR SALE, TALA, KAMARES VILLAGE IN PAPHOS 245 Sq.M, 12 years old, renovated, five bedrooms, master bedroom is ensuite, two bathrooms, underground studio, central heating, air-conditioning, fire place, swimming pool, beautiful garden with amazing sea view, electric garage for two cars:- price €485,000.- Call Helen:- 99497620 LUXURY VILLA 550 sq.m in 1250 lot.,5 bed.6 bath. maids en suite, walk in basement, beautiful landscape, double garage, large pool, playground, well, quiet neighborhoot. Price 1.550.000 M. Phone 357-99432074,35799552585

OFFICE/WAREHOUSE FOR RENT 735m² of office space and 1200m² warehousing available for long term rent on Yianni Kranidioti Avenue very close to Carlsberg Brewery.

Easy access to Nicosia-Limassol highway (only 200 metres).

Loading bays for warehouses and parking space for more than 40 cars. Hidden fuel tank plus car mechanics station.

For more information please call 99218866

33 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Advertiser

FOR PAPHIAKOS ANIMAL WELFARE SOS HELPLINE, 24 HOUR MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE - CALL 99655581 CONTACT DETAILS FOR PAPHIAKOS. Paphiakos & C.C.P. Animal Welfare Education/Information Centre,

CHURCHES ALL SAINTS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH (ENGLISH) Sunday Divine Liturgy 8-10am. Followed by Fellowship hour (coffee) Services are now being held at the underground Chapel of All Saints of Cyprus at St. Panteleimonos Church Makedonitissa Archangelos (Engomi) For more info please contact Fr. Joseph Coleman Tel. 99938924

No. 12 Dedalos Building, 8049 Kato Paphos PO Box 61272 8132 Kato Paphos Web. www.cyprusanimalwelfare.com www.facebook/paphiakos Email info@cyprusanimalwelfare.com Larnaca Emergency Service - The contact point for animal emergencies in Larnaca is Maria at the Paphiakos Animal Welfare Charity Shop, telephone 24623494 or 99325897 PAPHIAKOS NEW CHARITYSHOP/T.ROOMS NOW OPEN IN PEYIA. T ROOMS NOW OPEN (next to Peyia Police Station) Volunteers and donations needed please contact Suzanne 99151996 for further information.

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AGIOS ARSENIOS, LIMASSOL (near Tsirion Stadium) The Orthodox Liturgy in English Saturday, 4 February at 8:30 am For information please contact: Father M. Spanou at 99 – 401365 (msspanou@googlemail.com)

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST ANDREW AND ST JOHN THE BAPTIST MESA GEITONIA, LIMASSOL The Orthodox Liturgy in English served fortnightly on Saturdays at 9.00 am. We also hold a Discussion Group every Thursday evening at 7.30 pm For information please call Fr. Christopher Klitou Mobile: 99957144 Fax: 25710318 You can email us at: klitoux@logos.cy.net or visit our website: www.christopherklitou.com

NOW OPEN !!!

BOOKSHOP/INFORMATION CENTRE/T-SHOP IN POLIS CONTACT JUDY 99223572 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DETAILS.

Paphiakos Book Exchange Shop, Tremithousa. Special Tuesday sales held on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. For more information Tel 99771763/99283467 PAPHIAKOS & C.C.P. ANIMAL WELFARE Registered Charity No 1529

Open Door Baptist Church

Näheres Informationen durch Pfarrer Dr. Herold, Tel 25-317092 oder im Internet www.ev-kirche-zypern.de

9 Larnakos Street Katholiki Area Limassol Sundays: 9:45, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM Wednesdays: 7:30 PM 25 751193 or 99 758729 www.cbm-odbc.org

GRACE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Invites you to COME AND EXPERIEBNCE THE LOVE OF GOD WITH US Int. Christian Business Fellowship Meeting Centre Sundays: 10.00am Sunday School 11.00 am Main Service (Dine with us centre services) Wednesdays: Prayer meeting 6pm Address: To Arsinois Str., 1010 Nicosia (Next to Western Union Office to KISA) Contact: 99988900 or 97667932.

VISITORS ESPECIALLY WELCOME!!!

The Charity Shops are located at:

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF LIMASSOL

Shop No.2 Ap Pavlou Avenue, Kato Paphos Shop No.3 Gr. Afxentiou Avensia Court 3 Larnaca Shop No.4 9 Ayiou Ioanni Street 3061 Limassol Our shops are always happy to receive your unwanted goods!

SORROW IS WHAT PAPHIAKOS IS ALL ABOUT!!! UPDATE PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK FOR THE STORY OF SORROW. EVERY MEMBER OF OUR CLINIC WEPT FOR THIS POOR DOG. PAPHIAKOS ARE DETERMINED THE FUTURE WILL BE BRIGHTER AFTER THE CRUELTY AND TRAUMA. Sorrow is progressing well but will need further surgery. If you can help with donations to assist us to bring Sorrow to full health please contact the clinic on 00357 26946461. www.cyprusanimalwelfare.com

Clear exposition of the Bible in the presence of God, and relevant to our lives.

Our Sunday services start at 10:30 am sharp, and the Wednesday Bible discussion at 7 pm.

International Evangelical Church (Reformed) is located at 352 St. Andrew’s Street. 1½ blocks from Starbucks / Fat Boy, and 1 block from the Municipal Gardens, Zoo. For further information call Steve at 99384742, or email: iee.limassol@gmail.com All are welcome!

PAPHIAKOS CAR BOOT SALE EVERY SATURDAY at the Ambassador Restaurant and outside in the grounds at Paphiakos. Free parking.

Sellers from 7am, buyers from 8am. For information & bookings please call MIKE on 96702600.

PAPHIAKOS & C.C.P. ANIMAL WELFARE URGENTLY NEEDS PASTA TO HELP FEED THE DOGS AND SOFT FOOD FOR ALL THE CATS. DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT THE CLINIC.

NICOSIA CHRISTIAN CENTRE 10 PINDOU STR, ENGOMI, NICOSIA, TEL. 22464375 SERVICES: SUNDAY 10AM, WEDNESDAY 8PM

PLEASE SPONSOR AN ANIMAL OR BECOME A MEMBER TO ENSURE PAPHIAKOS CAN CONTINUE WIH THEIR NECESSARY WORK. Telephone Jan 26946461 ex 114 or 97614008

CHEMISTS NICOSIA SUNDAY 15/07/2012 Th. Nioulikos, 22 Them. Severis Ave. Tel: 22669664, 22661852(H) A. Nicolaou, 12 Ay. Andreou St, Pallouriotissa.

Tel. 22430032, 22424078 (H) E. Hadjigeorgiou, 132C Kirinias Ave. Tel: 22338002, 22330761 E. Daskalakis, 24A, Elia Papakyriakou Egkomi, Tel: 22355955, 22357220 G. Konstantinou, Giannitson 8, Tel: 22107447, 22380736 LIMASSOL A. Kyriazis, 13 A. Themistocleous, Tel: 25364451, 25338317 (H) F. Nicolaides, 29 Paphos St., Tel: 25572303, 25563693 (H) T. Aggelopoulos, 6 Gr. Afxentiou & Makedonias Tel: 25751900, 25328511 (H) LARNACA L. Vernis, 29 S. Timayia Ave. Tel: 24638470, 24533055(H) S. K. Eleni, 15. 17 Kilkis St. Tel: 24651035, 24621522 (H) PAPHOS A. Papoudas 25 Al. Ipsilanti Tel: 26811750, 26952138 (H) PARALIMNI A. Mavroyiannou, 216 Gr. Dighenis St. Tel: 23828880, 23829202 (H)

NICOSIA MONDAY 16/07/2012 M. Paphiti, Strovolos & Ay Mamantos Ave, Kato Lakatameia. Tel: 22324114, 22323943 (H) K. Solomou, 49E Z Archangelou Ave, Strovolos. Tel: 22357047, 22354816 (H) L. Froso, 69 Larnaca Ave, Aglandjia.

Tel: 22338941, 22338941 (H) M. Papadopoulou, 38C Them. Dervis St. Tel: 22676936, 22338998 I. Papaioakovou, 60 Democratic Ave, Strovolos. Tel: 22450644, 22876916 LIMASSOL M. Pahoumis, 56 Ay Filaxeos St. Tel: 25374449, 25721781 (H) A. Papachristodoulou, corner Gropious & V. Constantinou St. Tel: 25338363, 25346494 (H) N. Leonidou 60 Kolonakiou Ayios Athanasios Tel. 25327766, 25727942 (H) LARNACA A. Demetriou, 44 Arch. Makariou Str., Tel: 24822422, 24812188 S. Iacovides, 68 Str. Timayia Ave. Tel: 24637499, 24657045 (H) PAPHOS G. Makariou, 20 Neapoleos, Ave. Tel: 26936989, 26938949 (H) PARALIMNI Ch. X. Alapai, 8 Gr. Dighenis Ave. Tel: 23742002, 23744155 (H)

DOCTORS ON DUTY NICOSIA

Pathologist: Costas Schizas, Tel: 22311077, 99606611 Gynaeocologist: Christos Ppouris, Tel: 22469000, 99680488 Paediatric Surgeon: Panicos Theodorou, Tel: 22469000, 99612311 Dentist: Stavros Sofocleous, Tel: 22519779, 99437361 LIMASSOL Pathologist: Marios Simeonides, Tel.: 25581212, 99687510 Surgeon: Economou Andreas, Tel: 25357607 Neuro-Surgeon: Christos Kyriakides, Tel: 99696706 Paediatric: Christalla Ioannou, Tel: 25253511, 99149635 Paediatric Surgeon: Yiannakis Koualis, Tel: 25731673, 25732256 Kardiologist: Constantinos N. Kyriakou, Tel: 99511589, 25108850 Ophthalmologist: Andreas Elia, Tel: 25725134,25353424, 99675811 Doctor: Lampros Theodosiou, Tel: 25581712, 99624372

Tel. 99 293489, 99 279960 Email: immanuel.church.nicosia@gmail.com

LARNAKA COMMUNITY CHURCH APHRODITE STREET, LARNAKA 10.00 AM MORNING SERVICE and SUNDAY SCHOOL For more details ring Fred 24-365152

Contact our shops and we can take your clutter Shop No.1 Agapinoros Street, Kato Paphos

Sunday School (Juniors and Teens) Outreach and Evangelism Bible Studies

Nikosia: Am 1. und 3. Samstag im Monat in der St. Paul’s Cathedral um 18 Uhr Limassol: Am 2. Sonntag im Monat im Gemeindehaus in Germasogeia um 11 Uhr Am 4. Sonntag im Monat in der St. Barnabaskirche um 18 Uhr Paphos: Am 2. Samstag in der Kirche an der Paulussaeule um 16 Uhr Agia Napa: Am 4. Sonntag im Monat im Hof des Klosters um 9.30 Uhr

SEE THE WEBSITE FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION OR TELEPHONE 26953496 PAPHIAKOS & C.C.P. BOOK EXCHANGE SHOP TREMITHOUSA

Contemporary Christian Worship Sunday 10am (Holy Communion - 1st Sunday of the month)

DEUTSCHE GOTTESDIENSTE IN ZYPERN

STOP, SHOP AND GIVE TO THE ANIMALS! ALL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME AT OUR CHARITY SHOPS!!!!!

Family oriented evangelical church

St Barnabas’ Anglican Church 153 Leontiou A Street Limassol www.stbarnabas-cyprus.com Telephone: 25362713 - All welcome HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, PAPHOS GATE, NICOSIA Sunday Masses: Saturdays 6.30 pm, Sundays 8.00am, 9.30am & 6.30pm Weekday Masses: 6.30 pm Monday to Friday Tel: 22662132 Email: holcross@logos.cy.net

GRACE CHURCH, LARNACA 8 Ayiou Neofytou St Sundays 10 a.m.

Also Midweek Meetings Details: Colin 24530700

The Anglican Church of Paphos Ayia Kyriaki (St. Paul by the Pillar) Sunday 8.15am Holy Eucharist 6.00pm Sung Eucharist 4th Sunday 6.00pm Choral Evensong Wednesday 9.00am Holy Eucharist 3rd Wednesday (BCP) St. Stephen’s, Tala 1st & 3rd Sunday 11.00 am Holy Eucharist 2nd & 4th Sunday 11.00am Morning Worship St. Luke’s, Prodromi 1st & 5th Sunday 9.30am Morning Worship 2nd , 3rd & 4th Sunday 9.30am Holy Eucharist 1st & 3rd Wednesday 9.30am Holy Eucharist 1st Sunday 6.00 p.m. Peace & Wholeness with Holy Eucharist 4th Sunday every quarter 9.30 am Holy Eucharist from BPC Church Office: 26-953044 Fax: 26-952486 Email: anglicancofp@cytanet.com.cy for directions to each church

St Helena’s Anglican Church, Larnaca St Helena’s Court, Grigoris Afx Sunday Service: Holy Communion 9.30 am ALL WELCOME Tel:24651327 office@sainthelenas.com

International EVANGELICAL CHURCH (Reformed) Limassol 352 St. Andrew’s Street (1½ blocks from Starbucks/Fat Boy) Sunday worship 10:30am Wednesday Bible Discussion 7pm For info: 99384742 ALL ARE WELCOME

34 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Motoring Compiled by Rosie Ogden Audi wins International Engine of the Year Award A jury of 76 motoring journalists from around the world has voted the Audi 2.5-litre TFSI as the ‘International Engine of the Year 2012’ in the 2-litre to 2.5-litre category.

This engine therefore retains the award that it won the previous two years.

The 2.5-litre unit fitted to the Audi RS3 Sportback and TT RS Coupé and Roadster features both turbo-charging and FSI gasoline direct injection, two of Audi’s core technologies. Jury members said of the engine: “It has an excellent torque range and a gorgeous sound too. An engine that stands out from the crowd.”

The Audi TT RS plus Coupé and Roadster models, newly launched in March 2012, have a displacement of 2,480 cc and reach a power output of 265 kW (360 hp) between 5,500 and 6,700 rpm. Peak

torque is 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) between 1,650 and 5,400 rpm, and the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (Roadster: 4.2 seconds). A top speed of 280 km/h is optionally available.

Audi also offers the 2.5litre TFSI engine in the RS3 Sportback. This engine produces 250 kW (340 hp) between 5,400 and 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) from 1,600 to 5,300 rpm. It takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h – a best-inclass performance figure.

Its governed top speed is 250 km/h.

This is the eighth category win in a row at the International Engine of the Year Awards for Audi TFSI technology. Between 2005 and 2009, the Audi 2.0-litre TFSI engine won the award in the 1.8-litre to 2.0-litre category.

The Audi TT RS plus Coupé and Roadster models, newly launched in March 2012, have a displacement of 2,480 cc and reach a power output of 265 kW (360 hp) between 5,500 and 6,700 rpm

Toyota thrills again with GT86 Sports car hopes to lure young ‘fun-loving’ drivers back to the marque I love it when I get the chance, with the dealer’s blessing, to really thrash a car – especially one that simply begs to be driven on the limit.

This week I joined sundry other journalists at the Daytona track just outside Nicosia to try out the GT86 – Toyota’s new sports car which it hopes will lure young ‘fun-loving’ drivers back to the marque, which most people these days associate with very reliable, but possibly somewhat bland, motors.

The car gets its name from the 86 mm x 86 mm bore and stroke, while the new engine develops 200 DIN hp at 7000 rpm and maximum torque of 205 Nm at 6600 rpm.

Let’s not forget that Toyota has a history of building sports cars: older readers may recall the two-cylinder boxer-engined Sports 800, which the company began developing back in 1962.

It was followed by several front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports cars including the 2000 GT, and more recently the Celicas and Supras.

For their return to their sports car roots, Toyota teamed up with Subaru, and the result is spectacular.

At the insistence of its designers, the GT86 eschews turbocharging and the engineers also insisted on rearwheel-drive, so what you get is a real ‘driver’s car’. Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada and his Subaru counterpart, Toshio Masuda, also fought tooth and nail for ordinary tyres, so you get the same rubber found on the Prius, which means that, if the mood takes you, you can slip around a bit!

You can also switch off the traction control and stability control (though sadly this was forbidden during our test drive), but even with them activated, a ‘spirited’ drive is still possible.

The balance is near perfect: Toyota say they have found the “sweet spot” with the 53:47 weight distribution, which is achieved by setting the powertrain and driving position as low and as far back as possible. The low centre of gravity also makes for superb handling and the sleek, highly aero-

dynamic bodyshell helps the car slip through the air with minimum resistance.

A car with a 2.0 litre engine of this class would normally weigh about 1,300 kg, but Toyota was determined to make the GT86 weigh around 1,200 kg, ‘guaranteeing an excellent power-toweight ratio’.

At 4,240 mm long, just 1,285 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm, it is the world’s most compact fourseater sports car, and it feels such when you slide into the supportive bucket seat. Kitted out with fire-proof balaclava and crash helmet, I found my head touching the roof when I raised the seating position, so down it went again until I had a couple of inches spare.

The short shift gearbox requires no more than a flick of the wrist to change – and there are paddles on the steering wheel too. A couple of laps of the Daytona circuit and Tetsuya Tada would have been proud of me: he says what matters is that ‘the driver gets out with a smile on his face’ - I was grinning from ear to ear!

The Motor Mail putting the car through its paces at the Daytona kart track outside Nicosia

Coulthard catches hole in one with SLS Roadster

The Mercedes landed the rather odd record of ‘farthest golf shot to be caught in a moving car, ever’

WELL, we know that car makers are always looking for new ideas for publicity, but hats off to Mercedes for coming up with one of the quirkiest to date!

The skill of Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, behind the wheel of the 571hp SLS AMG Roadster, provided the ultimate ‘did that really happen?’ moment for MercedesBenz United Kingdom.

Captured on film which was released this week, (http://www.youtube.com/ mercedesbenzuk) the SLS AMG Roadster landed the

rather odd record of ‘farthest golf shot to be caught in a moving car, ever’.

Professional golfer Jake Shepherd hit a golf ball at 178mph into the MercedesBenz supercar, which was moving at 120mph when it caught the ball 275 metres away from the tee.

The film shows the exact moment when Coulthard caught the speeding golf ball between the seats of the SLS AMG Roadster.

Speaking about the unusual catch, Coulthard said: “The only way to track the

ball was to keep your eyes on it all the time: it’s a real adrenaline rush but it’s not the most comfortable thing to do because for a moment, you’re not watching the road!”

He continued: “I was as happy as I’ve ever been winning a Grand Prix because I was so surprised, quite frankly, that it went in, and went in so solidly!”

The amazing feat was not only caught on camera, but also independently verified by a Guinness World Record adjudicator who confirmed

that the achievement secured the title of farthest golf shot caught in a moving car (I wonder how many of those there have been!)

David George, MercedesBenz Passenger Cars Marketing Director, added: “The SLS AMG Roadster is an extraordinary car so we wanted to do something extraordinary with it to celebrate our association with the upcoming Open Championship, and what better way than to break a world record and create such an exciting film!”

35 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport A dream tournament on Dream Team anniversary Awe-inspiring collection of NBA stars romped to gold 20 years ago

By Larry Fine THE 20th anniversary of the US ‘Dream Team’ could coincide with a dream tournament in what looms as a fiercely competitive basketball competition at the London Olympics.

The awe-inspiring collection of NBA stars including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird who romped to gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games ignited a global growth in the game that brought a wave of international talent into the NBA that has powered national teams at the Olympics.

The London stage could be set for a rousing revival of the Beijing gold medal game with LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant leading the defending champion US team, while 2008 silver medalists Spain bring a towering front court of brothers Pau and Marc Gasol and premier shot-blocker Serge Ibaka.

Argentina, France and Brazil, three other teams armed with serious NBA firepower, are also confident they will be fighting for position on the podium in the 12-team tournament.

“Between those five teams, we’ll see,” France forward Nicolas Batum, who plays for the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, told Reuters.

The main contenders have already had to deal with injuries that will test their depth and perseverance.

The US squad lost a slew of candidates that read like an All-Star list with Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of the NBA champion Miami Heat among those ruled out due to injury.

Trailblazers: (left to right) Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were the iconic stars of the original Dream Team 20 years ago, which ignited a global growth in the game of basketball A pool of 22 players shrank to 15, but no one will be crying for the US team, who will be led by James, who used his defensive prowess and power to lead the Heat over the Thunder in the NBA Finals for his long-awaited first championship.

Also joining James are Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and James Harden, the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams of the Nets, and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.

Those are plenty of talented scorers, but the absence of big men Howard, Bosh and LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland leaves New York’s Tyson Chandler and Minne-

sota’s Kevin Love as the only centers and could make the US vulnerable.

Spain would have a size advantage, able to play Lakers’ 7-footer (2.13m) Pau Gasol alongside his 7-foot-1 (2.16m) younger brother Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies, and 6-foot10 (2.08m) Ibaka, another member of the NBA finalist Thunder.

Slowing down the Spanish offense, however, will be the absence of playmaking guard Ricky Rubio of the Timberwolves, who is sidelined with an ACL injury, leaving Jose Manuel Calderon of the Raptors at point guard.

“My team mates and I will fight for the gold medal,” Pau

Gasol told reporters. “We’re afraid of no one.”

France is up in the air about the availability of court leader Tony Parker, a three-time NBA champion with San Antonio, who injured his eye last month in a Manhattan nightclub fracas, and will be without Bulls’ big man Joakim Noah (ankle injury).

Parker will have to get doctors’ approval before joining compatriots and fellow NBA players such as Batum, Ronny Turiaf (Heat) and Spurs team mate Boris Diaw.

Argentina, 2004 Athens Olympic champions and Beijing bronze medalists, are led

by Spurs’Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola of the Rockets.

Brazil boast a strong post presence with Nene of the Wizards and Anderson Varejao of the Cavaliers along with Pacers’ guard Leandro Barbosa.

Even Britain could have a touch of the NBA on their team with Luol Deng of the Bulls a potential player for the hosts.

“I think the Dream Team was single-handedly responsible for all of the global and international growth that we’ve had in the game of basketball and that is a tremendous compliment to that team,” Dream Team member Clyde ‘The Glide’ Drexler told Reuters.

“What a legacy.”

WADA chief calls on dopers to pull out of Games

By Simon Evans

WADA president John Fahey said the Games would be the most tested ever

THE head of the World Anti-Doping Agency has called on athletes using performing enhancing drugs to pull themselves out of the London Olympics.

WADA president John Fahey said the Games would be the most tested ever and that athletes owed it to their teams and their opponents, as well as the image of the Olympics, to play fair and quit before competing.

“I say this in the clearest way possible: if you are a doping athlete and you are planning to compete in London then you must withdraw from your Olympic team,” Fahey said.

“Doping is cheating, plain and sim-

ple. And if you compete in London as a doped athlete then not only will you be cheating your fellow athletes, you will be cheating sports fans across the world, doing a disservice to your national flag and flouting the ideals of the Olympic Movement,” he said.

The Games begin on July 27 and run until August 12 although the ‘in-competition’ testing period start with the opening of the Athletes Village on July 16.

There will be around 6,250 samples analysed at the Games while UK Anti Doping have also been mandated to test in pre-competition training camps.

“There has been a coherent effort to make London 2012 as ‘clean’ as possible and doping athletes should know that their chances of avoiding detection are

the smallest they have ever been,” said Fahey.

“A doping athlete cannot achieve success, it is a complete contradiction. Even if a doping athlete were to win a medal he or she would never be able to look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘well done, I deserved this’,” he added.

“The Olympic Games is the absolute pinnacle for many athletes, and for them to train endlessly over a four-year period and then have their efforts belittled by a doping athlete, to me that is complete and utter betrayal of what sport stands for.”

There were 20 proven cases of doping at the Beijing Games four years ago, including six horses, down from 26 cases in Athens in 2004.

Saudi women athletes to compete in London

By Karolos Grohmann SAUDI Arabia has agreed to send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time with a judoka and an 800m runner to represent the kingdom in London later this month, the International Olympic Committee said this week.

Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, who will compete in the +78kg category in judo, and runner Sarah Attar will be the first Saudi women ever to take part at a Games after talks between IOC and the country paid off.

“This is very positive news and we will be delighted to welcome these two athletes in London in a few weeks time,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge in a statement.

“The IOC has been working very closely with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and I am pleased to see that our continued dialogue has come to fruition.”

In the past months human rights groups had been urging the IOC to ban Saudi Arabia from the Games if it did not agree to send women athletes.

“The IOC has been striving to ensure a greater gender balance at the Olympic Games, and this news can be seen as an encouraging evolution,” said Rogge.

The decision means that every single country competing in the July 27 - August 12 Olympics will be represented by male and female athletes.

The conservative Muslim kingdom is one of three countries, alongside Brunei and Qatar, never to have sent female athletes but the latter two confirmed earlier this year that their delegation would include women.

The IOC said the two Saudi athletes, invited by the IOC, were entered by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee by the official deadline of 9 July.

Physical education is banned in girls’ state schools in the kingdom but Saudi Arabia’s only female deputy minister, Noura alFayez, has written to Human Rights Watch saying there is a plan to introduce it.

IOC President Jacques Rogge hailed the decision

36 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport Dunn withdraws from 2012 Games

ShakesDrayton staying grounded

AMERICAN 400 metres runner Debbie Dunn has withdrawn from the London Olympics after returning a positive drugs test.

Dunn released a statement to confirm she would stand aside after the United States Anti-Doping Association (USADA) informed her she had returned a positive sample.

The 34-year-old, who has never competed at an Olympics, was due to run in the 4x400m relay, an event the USA have won since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

“I have been informed by the US Anti-Doping Agency that a sample I gave at the US Olympic Trials contains an elevated testosterone/epitestosterone level,” Dunn, the 2010 world indoor champion and 2009 relay world champion, said in a statement.

“While I work with USADA to resolve this matter, I am withdrawing from my relay pool position for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“I do not want any issue like this to distract from my team-mates’ focus for the biggest meet of their lives.

“I wish Team USA best in London as I work toward resolving this matter.”

USADA chief executive Travis T Tygart confirmed Dunn’s initial urine sample showed traces of a banned synthetic testosterone. The organisation is currently testing her ‘B’ sample.

“In response to Ms Dunn’s statements, USADA appreciates Ms. Dunn voluntarily removing herself from the Olympic team while the full facts surrounding her elevated T/E ratio and adverse carbon isotope ratio analysis (CIR) are evaluated,” Tygart said in a statement.

“We are currently processing the B sample, and as in all cases all athletes are innocent until and unless proven otherwise through the established full, fair legal process which was approved by athletes, the US Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organisations.”

Should Dunn return a positive ‘B’ sample she could accept sanction or take her case to arbitration.

BRITAIN’S 400-metre hurdler Perri Shakes-Drayton has vowed not to get carried away despite suddenly becoming an Olympic medal contender with a stunning performance in the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

Despite the presence of world champions Dai Greene and Mo Farah and the second fastest man in history, Tyson Gay, the performance of the night came from ShakesDrayton in the women’s 400 metre hurdles, with the Londoner storming to a surprise win in 53.77 seconds.

Former Olympic champion Sally Gunnell is the only British athlete to have run faster and Shakes-Drayton’s time was also joint second fastest in the world this year, taking 0.41s off her personal best set when winning European bronze in Barcelona two years ago.

European champion Irina Davydova of Russia was second and Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer third, with Beijing Olympic champion Melaine Walker more than 1.7s behind Shakes-Drayton in fourth.

Shakes-Drayton had been ranked just 21st in the world before the race, with the 23-year-old admitting on Wednesday that simply reaching the Olympic final would be her goal in London, while Rio 2016 would be a better chance of a medal.

“I’m over the moon with the time,” said Shakes-Drayton, who was born and raised close to the Olympic stadium. “I thought it was an opportunity to race the best girls which I haven’t had this year.

“I thought ‘Come on girl, pull your socks up, you have to go for it’, and I sure went for it.

I just believed in myself and reminded myself what I’ve done. I’ve had a good day at the office.

“It gives me confidence knowing that my training is going well but I’m not going to let it get to me too much.

I’m still going to remain level-headed because it’s not finished yet.”

Greene had been hoping to break Kriss Akabusi’s 20-year-old British record of 47.82s in the men’s race, but could only finish second behind Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson in 48.10s. Jack Green was fourth in a new personal best of 48.60s.

Pietersen’s (centre) decision to retire from England’s limited overs matches has meant he has missed just one Twenty20 international, against West Indies, and the 50-over series wins over West Indies and Australia

Kevin Pietersen hints at limited overs return KEVIN Pietersen’s retirement from limited over internationals could be short-lived after he yesterday revealed he would “love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket”.

Pietersen, speaking after blazing an unbeaten 234 for Surrey, also hinted that speculation he was in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board to reverse his quit call were correct.

Pietersen ended his limitedovers career for England when he announced his shock retirement from the shorter formats of international cricket, at the age of just 31, earlier this summer.

Speculation has mounted in the past couple of days that Pietersen was set to perform a U-turn on that decision, though, after reportedly meeting ECB officials.

While the right-hander appeared to validate those claims yesterday he indicated England’s international schedule, which helped prompt his retirement, was still a major hurdle in any possible return.

“I’ve said before that, if the

Also signals he is in talks with England, Wales Cricket Board to reverse quit call schedule was right, if they could sort my schedule out, I would love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket,” Pietersen told reporters.

“But the schedule at the moment is a nightmare. I hope something can be sorted out.”

Asked if talks with the ECB about his limited overs future had begun, he replied: “I think so.”

Pietersen had initially wanted to call time only on 50-over cricket and carry on in Twenty20, but the terms of ECB central contracts prevent players picking and choosing their formats.

Pietersen reiterated his desire to play in England’s World Twenty20 title defence later this year, however, he

would have to act fast to claim a place.

England must meet an ICC deadline of July 18 to name their initial 30-man squad for the tournament in Sri Lanka in September.

“I’ve always said I want to play in Twenty20,” he said.

“But I needed to get away from the schedule. I cannot keep playing every single day’s cricket. I’ve never been looked after. I cannot keep playing every warm-up game, I cannot keep practising every single day.

“There comes a time when I know what I need to do to be successful. I’ve got a young family and I cannot be on the treadmill all day, every day.”

Pietersen’s decision to retire from England’s limited

overs matches has meant he has missed just one Twenty20 international, against West Indies, and the 50-over series wins over West Indies and Australia.

In his absence England have been unbeaten with Ian Bell ably filling his place at the top of the order, claiming the manof-the-series against Australia, while Alex Hales blasted 99 in the Twenty20 win over West Indies at Trent Bridge.

In that time Pietersen has enjoyed time away with his family, including a brief return to South Africa, and had played just five domestic Twenty20 games for Surrey since the final Test of the West Indies series a month ago.

He showed no sign of rustiness yesterday, however, on his return to the four-day format as he blasted an unbeaten 234 from 190 balls against reigning LV= County Championship champions Lancashire.

Pietersen hit eight sixes and 30 fours in an impressive warm-up for next week’s opening Investec Test against South Africa at The Oval.

First taste of high-level European basketball for Cyprus side

By Nemanja Bjedov

400m runner Dunn has never competed at an Olympics

THE Cypriot national men’s basketball team commenced basic preparations for the qualifying round of the FIBA Eurobasket 2013, to be held next September in Slovenia.

Cyprus will take on Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Ukraine in Group C of the qualifications and the opening game will be at home against Austria on August 15, at Nicosia’s Tassos Papadopoulos Eleftheria Athletic Centre. The Cypriots will then visit Croatia three days later, while in

the following week they will host Ukraine and travel to Hungary.

The qualifications will last just over a month as the final Cyprus game is scheduled for September 11 at home to Hungary.

“Everything is going according to plan and I am truly impressed with the hunger to practice and the on-court energy the selected players brought in. They are unquestionably following daily routines and will continue to do so until the qualifications are over,” assessed national team head coach Antonis Konstantinides.

Konstantinides opted to take 12 players

for two friendly games against Latvia in Riga this weekend, including American centre Anthony King who was recently granted Cypriot citizenship.

Looking ahead at taking on Europe’s muscle, national team captain Panayiotis Trisokkas said: “We arrived in Latvia to play two friendly games against the hosts. They are a very good national team and our goal is to keep up the high work rate and prepare for the qualifying opener against Austria. After these two games we’ll have a better picture where we stand ... and what has to be done to be absolutely ready when the time comes.”

The Londoner stormed to victory in the 400m hurdles

37 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Sport Mark Teixeira homers twice as New York Yankees beat Los Angeles Angels 6-5

Teixeira (above) cracked a three-run shot, before catcher Martin drove in the winning run for the Yankees

MARK Teixeira homered twice as the New York Yankees picked up where they left off with a 6-5 comefrom-behind win over the Los Angeles Angels in their first game after the All-Star Break.

Down 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Teixeira cracked a three-run shot - his second homer of the game - to level things up, before catcher Russell Martin drove in the winning run with an RBI single for the team with the best record in baseball.

Erick Aybar and Mark Trumbo went yard for the Angels.

Alfonso Soriano also had a pair of home runs in the Chicago Cubs’ 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Soriano drove in five and scored three times on a four-for-four night.

He was matched by Ryan Braun, who also homered twice on four hits as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the

Pittsburgh Pirates 10-7.

It was Cody Ransom’s one hit though - a grand slam eighth - which broke a 6-6 tie and won it for the Brewers.

Justin Masterson hurled seven scoreless innings to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Travis Hafner’s solo shot in the second provided the only offence.

Jordan Zimmerman threw six shutout frames to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-1 win over the Florida Marlins.

Miguel Cabrera hit his 19th homer of the season as the Detroit Tigers made it six victories in a row by beating the Baltimore Orioles 7-2.

Jonny Gomes succeeded in hitting a grand slam to power the Oakland Athletics to a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.

David Ortiz homered and Pedro

Ciriaco drove in two as the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Jacoby Ellsbury’s first game back off the DL. AJ Ellis provided all the offence for the Los Angeles Dodgers with a tworun homer in a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres.

The Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-8 in a match which stretched to 14 innings, Kevin Youkilis driving in the winning run with a sacrifice fly.

Chipper Jones homered in the Atlanta Braves’ 7-5 victory over the New York Mets, and the Cincinnati Reds saw off the St Louis Cardinals 5-3.

The Colorado Rockies beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2, the San Francisco Giants were 5-1 winners over the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers overcame the Seattle Mariners 3-2.

Tiger looking forward to his ‘favourite’ Open

Pedrosa on pole for Italian MotoGP

British tournament allows golfers to ‘use the ground as a friend’, explains Woods

By Mark Garrod TIGER Woods is looking forward to what he calls “my favourite major championship” - one which he hopes will finally take him closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record.

Woods was expected to arrive at Royal Lytham this weekend ahead of The Open starting on Thursday.

Before flying from America he wrote his first website blog for three months and reminded his fans why he is such a fan of links golf.

“You can have so many different weather conditions. You just don’t know,” Woods said.

“That’s one of the unique things about the British Open and why it’s my favourite major championship.

“It’s the only tournament besides the sandbelt courses in Australia that we can actually use the ground as a friend and bounce the ball into the greens.

“Modern golf is all up in the air.”

Woods has not added to his 14 majors since the 2008 US Open and so remains four behind Nicklaus.

He is returning now, however, to a course where he does have a share of a record.

Back in 1996 and only 20 at the time, he shot a three under par total of 281 that matches Englishman’s Iain Pyman best total by an amateur in Open history. It has still to be bettered.

CONFIDENCE Woods, who missed last year’s event at Sandwich through injury, returns now having had four victories in the last eight months.

The most recent, however, was followed by a missed cut at the Greenbrier Classic just over a week ago, but that failure has not dented his confidence too much.

“I didn’t play poorly,” Woods wrote. “I had trouble gauging distances with my short irons and it was tough for me to adjust to the greens.

“They were slower than I expected and had a lot of wobble in them.

“Now I’m focused on the British Open. This will be my third visit to Royal Lytham and St Annes, where I tied for 22nd in 1996 and tied for 25th in 2001.

“I like the golf course, but I know they have made some changes since we played there. I think they lengthened a few holes, so it will play different.

“Plus in ‘01 it was pretty dry and firm. They’ve had a very wet summer, as we saw at Wimbledon, and the golf course is pretty soft.

“Weather plays such a huge role in the tournament. It will be interesting to see how the course is set up.

“It’s different, because we’re not really on the water - we’re slightly inland.

That train track that runs right along the golf course gets a lot of use that week.

“The time change is easy because I play all over the world. It’s getting used to the conditions that week.

Each British Open has its own little quirks.

“For instance, Hoylake was burnt out, some years at St Andrews the wind blew hard, this year it will be a little bit softer than it normally plays.

“But we don’t know if it’s going to rain or blow, so that adds different challenges as the week develops.

“I’ll bring my five-wood and two-iron and decide which club to carry once I get there and feel out the conditions.”

Winning form: Woods, who missed last year’s event at Sandwich through injury, returns now having recorded four victories in the last eight months

A TRACK record lap earned pole position for Dani Pedrosa for today’s MotoGP Gran Premio D’Italia at Mugello.

The Spaniard powered his Repsol Honda around the three-and-a-quartermile circuit in one minute 47.284 seconds in the closing seconds of the session to pip compatriots Jorge Lorenzo and Hector Barbera to top spot.

Pedrosa told BBC Sport: “The lap time was pretty good, we want to improve a little more for the race tomorrow. It is important to be at the front doing consistent laps.”

Yamaha’s Lorenzo had led the standings until that point, but a mechanical problem which caused his bike to lose power prevented him from completing his final flying lap.

Barbera, riding for Pramac Racing, claimed his first front row grid position since stepping up to MotoGP in 2010.

American Nicky Hayden (Ducati) edged out Pedrosa’s Australian team-mate Casey Stoner for fourth place while Monster Yamaha pair Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso were separated by just two hundredths of a second in the battle for sixth.

The Briton won the battle despite a crash, Italian Dovizioso narrowly avoiding the same fate late on while pushing for a place on the second row.

Stefan Bradl (Honda) is eighth ahead of Ben Spies, who crashed his Yamaha in the same spot as Crutchlow on turn 12.

Valentino Rossi could only manage 10th place for Ducati.

38 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport

Drogba: football challenge, not pay brought me to China

FORMER England manager Fabio Capello, who had recently been tipped to take over as Russia’s new coach, has already been given the position, according to national team captain Andrei Arshavin.

“Russia’s national coach has been appointed - he is Fabio Capello.

“We wish him success in his new job,” Arshavin wrote on his personal website (www.arshavin. eu).

Ivorian’s ties with Anelka bode well for new club

By Royston Chan IT is not money but the big challenge in an unfamiliar land that lured Didier Drogba to China, the Ivory Coast striker said yesterday.

More than 300 fans gathered at Shanghai airport to welcome Drogba on his muchanticipated arrival to join Chinese Super League strugglers Shanghai Shenhua.

Drogba has signed a twoand-a-half-year contract with the big-spending club for a reported salary of $300,000 a week, ending weeks of speculation on his future after he announced his decision to leave Champions League winners Chelsea.

“I decided to come here because when the club and the president approached me, I looked at the project and it came with ambitious ideas and he wants to ... help football develop in China,” Drogba told reporters after his unveiling.

“I know China is a great sports country so for me it was also a big challenge because it could have been easy for me to stay in Europe and go to another team, another big team.

“Really, I didn’t come here

Capello has landed Russia job says Arshavin

INSIDE INFORMATION

In it to win it: Drogba said while his new club’s results were ‘not so good’ he was looking ahead to a league win with the idea of making a lot of money. I come here because it is a completely different challenge from what I have seen in Europe before.

“And that’s the idea, there are many challenges, but this one is a big one.”

Drogba’s arrival is the latest in a long list of high-profile names who have made the move to China in recent months.

Italian World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi is in charge of a Guangzhou Ever-

grande side packed full of skilful South American talent.

Drogba, who scored 157 times in 341 appearances for Chelsea making him the club’s fourth all-time leading scorer, is the biggest catch of them all.

The 34-year old striker will join former Chelsea team mate Nicolas Anelka at the club struggling at the 13th spot in the 16-club Chinese Super League. Shanghai Shenhua is coached by former Argentina boss Sergio Batista.

“The results of my new team, they are not so good, not so great. But you know, the second part of the season just started and I think we have time to make some better results and to bring the club to a better place,” Drogba said.

“With my team mates, we are going to perform as much as we can. And I came here to win the league, I am not coming here as the beginning of the retirement or something like this.

“I want people to make sure

and to understand that I am here to win. I am not here to sit and relax.”

The fans arrived in the early hours of the morning at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, many dressed in the club’s blue jersey bearing “Drogba 11”, and their hopes were also pinned on the Drogba-Anelka strike force.

“I believe that with his arrival, our results will improve significantly, because he has a good rapport with Anelka,” 23-year-old Zhu Hongbo said.

The 31-year-old Arsenal player, widely considered Russia’s most influential footballer, could have had inside information into the affairs of the Russian FA (RFU).

However, the Arsenal forward might have jumped the gun announcing Capello’s appointment as according to the official RFU line, talks with the 66-year-old Italian will continue next week.

Capello, who threw in the towel as England boss in February, arrived in Moscow on Thursday to meet with Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko and acting RFU chief Nikita Simonyan.

Mutko, who described the talks as “productive”, said the RFU would name a new coach early next week.

Local media reports on Saturday claimed the RFU would hold the final round of negotiations with the Italian on Tuesday.

Mascherano: it will be difficult to catch Spanish ARGENTINA midfielder Javier Mascherano believes it will be difficult for his country to prevent Spain from retaining the World Cup in two years’ time.

The former Liverpool man will be key if the Albiceleste are to shine in Brazil, but he has said that the familiarity of playing together for a number of years gives Spain a definite advantage.

He told Radio 9 de Argentina: “There isn’t time to play in a similar way to Barcelona, this takes many years of work.

We also can’t pretend we are going to play like Spain because we are not going to achieve this.

“Spain without doubt are the best team in the world and it will be difficult to move them because they have a winning mentality.”

The 28-year-old also spoke of his chang-

ing role at Barca, where he plays mainly as a centre-back rather than a holding midfielder, and his belief that his compatriot Marcelo Bielsa could eventually end up there as manager.

“Today in Barcelona I want to continue playing as a central defender, it is where I feel more comfortable and capable of performing,” he said.

“I played all year as a defender but I am not going to regret that when the time comes to play as a number five for Argentina. (Argentina manager) Alejandro Sabella prefers that I occupy this position. “(Pep) Guardiola has been a coach that has left a big impact on my career.

He has a lot of similarities to Bielsa and obviously Marcelo is capable of managing Barcelona.”

Argentina’s Javier Mascherano

Bayern Munich ease to 4-0 win over Ismaning in friendly game BAYERN Munich left for their pre-season training camp in Trentino yesterday off the back of a 4-0 victory over FC Ismaning in a friendly.

New signing Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first goal since arriving from FC Basel with youngsters Oliver Markoutz, Kevin Friesenbacher and Benno Schmitz scoring the other goals.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will take a larger squad with him to Italy with the likes of Arjen Robben, Anatoli Tymoschuk and Mario Mandzukic arriving after their post-Euro 2012 breaks, however Franck Ribery will not be participating.

The France international will follow an individual training plan in Munich from Wednesday while the eight members of the Germany squad for Euro 2012 are not due to start preseason training until the end of the week.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Schalke against fourth-division side SG Sonnenhof-Grossasbach, Hoffenheim beat fifthdivision side FC Astoria Walldorf, Wolfsburg edged past ETSV Weiche and Eintracht Frankfurt downed FSV Hollenbach.

Hannover suffered a setback in their preparations as they were defeated 2-0 by third-division side Preussen Munster.

39 SUNDAY MAIL • July 15, 2012

Sport ‘Borini can shine in red,’ says hopeful Liverpool boss Rodgers

Liverpool’s new signing: Fabio Borini

LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers has high hopes for new signing Fabio Borini.

The striker became Rodgers’ first signing as Reds boss after finalising a long-term deal from Roma to Anfield for a fee Press Association Sport understands is in the region of £7.9million.

Borini will be reunited with Rodgers, with whom he worked in the Chelsea youth set up, for a second time having spent a short spell on loan at Swansea in the 2010/11 season.

And Rodgers is confident the Italian can play a prominent role in the coming seasons for Reds.

“Fabio fits the model of what we’re trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“He’s a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration is a very important part of his game - and a big part of what you want from a player.

“I think the supporters will love him. He’s a multifunctional player who can play in a number of posi-

tions and someone I believe has got great growth.

“I’d anticipate that over the next two or three years he’ll really progress and I’m sure do very well for Liverpool.

“He is arguably the best physical player I’ve worked with in terms of his pace, power and fitness. Mentally, he’s very strong. We’ve got a player who is on the up and someone who I think Liverpool will benefit from.”

For his part, Borini is desperate to reward Rogers’ faith in him by firing Liverpool back into the Champions League.

“I hope to achieve the maximum I can, by scoring goals, getting into the Champions League and all of the things the club also wants - and all the other players,” he said. “It’s a top club that has won a lot of trophies in the past - and will do so in the future we hope as well.”

While his arrival signals the start of Rodgers’ restructuring there are other players awaiting developments over their futures, although midfielder

Maxi Rodriguez has already finalised his.

The 31-year-old Argentinian has rejoined former club Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland having never established himself as a regular first-team starter after joining from Atletico Madrid in January 2010. Nonetheless, he scored 17 goals in 73 appearances, the highlights being two hat-tricks against Birmingham and Fulham in 2011, while last season he scored in two victories over Chelsea in quick succession at Stamford Bridge.

Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll have also been subject to increased speculation over the past few days.

Bellamy has only a year left on his contract and is attracting interest from Cardiff and QPR - whose manager Mark Hughes has twice previously signed the Welshman. Many critics do not see Carroll, linked with AC Milan, West Ham and Fulham, fitting into Rodgers’ preferred 4-3-3 system or being suited to a possession game built on high-energy movement.

Rivals mulling future after Rangers’ catastrophic fall ‘All clubs will now have to live with the consequences’

By Ronnie Esplin and Mark Bryans SCOTTISH football woke up to the dawn of a new era yesterday after Rangers newco were voted into the Third Division of the Scottish Football League.

At an SFL meeting at Hampden yesterday 29 of the 30 lower league clubs accepted the Ibrox club as an associate member of the SFL while 25 clubs voted in favour of placing them into the bottom tier, despite Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan claiming that decision would bring a financial catastrophe and a “slow, lingering death” of the game.

Soon after the vote was announced Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s directors convened an emergency board meeting for yesterday to consider the “very serious financial implications” of Charles Green’s newco being voted into the bottom tier.

Scottish giants Rangers were voted into the bottom tier of the League Inverness chairman Kenny Cameron said: “There will now inevitably be serious consequences for the game in Scotland. We have all, as clubs, accepted the views of our stakeholders in making the initial judgement to uphold sporting integrity.

“All clubs will now have to live with the repercussions of this decision. Scottish football was

at a crossroads today in terms of what was on the table for all clubs regarding reorganisation, financial distribution and a road map that would have taken the game forward.

“But this has now been thrown into disarray by this decision. This is a sad day for all clubs in Scotland.”

David Longmuir, SFL chief executive, said he was “com-

fortable” with the outcome of the vote and that the decision from the SFL clubs was taken with the sport’s best interests at heart.

He said: “I’m comfortable that the Scottish Football League made a very, very decisive decision that was based on sporting fairness which is the fundamental principle of the Scottish Football League.”

Whilst there was speculation over the formation of an SPL 2 to keep Rangers close to the top flight, with the prospect of the newco being invited straight into the SPL also mooted, Green and Rangers manager, Ally McCoist, appeared to accept the Govan club’s fate.

Green said: “The people who brought shame on this great club are no longer part of it and everyone at Rangers is focused on rebuilding the club on top of a solid financial foundation.

“We wish to play a constructive part in Division Three and encourage our fans to support the other clubs within the league by attending matches and delivering to them the benefits of having Rangers within their league.”

McCoist praised the club and its supporters for their patience and hard work during a difficult period.

He said: “Clearly, starting again from the bottom league is not ideal and makes the task of rebuilding Rangers a longer one but the SFL was placed in an impossible situation and I respect its decision.

“I fully supported the fans’ views that starting again in Division Three maintains the sporting integrity that the SPL clubs were so keen on.

“The SPL clubs and the SFA have made their positions clear over the last few weeks and it remains to be seen what the long term effects of their decisions will be.”

Chris Hughton: Canaries need to remain level-headed

The Canaries boss accepts there are challenges ahead

CHRIS Hughton maintains it is imperative for everyone at Norwich to keep a sense of perspective as they embark upon a new era next season.

Carrow Road has enjoyed three seasons of success following back-toback promotions under Paul Lambert and then a 12th-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League.

With Lambert having now moved on to try to rebuild Aston Villa’s fortunes, former Newcastle and Birmingham manager Hughton has been charged with safe-guarding the future of the Norfolk club.

Hughton, 53, accepts it is not all likely to be plain sailing, but is ready to meet the challenges head on.

‘EXPECTATIONS’ “It is about dampening expectations at times, because we will start this season no different than how we started last season because we are playing in such a tough division,” said the new Norwich boss.

“What the likes of Wigan, West Brom and Stoke have been able to do over a few years is sustain things, but I am

quite sure at the beginning of every season they will have realised how tough it is going to be.

“You have to be on top of your game, playing well enough, and that is why managers and staff work as hard as they do - you have to be on top of everything.

“We have to try to do everything we can to sustain where we are.

“We will keep people’s feet on the ground, try not to get too carried away with good results and not get too down with difficult and poor results.”

Neville uninterested in becoming a manager GARY Neville still insists he has no desire to become a manager.

After abandoning his playing career in January 2011, Neville became a sensation as a TV pundit, so his appointment onto Roy Hodgson’s backroom team for Euro 2012 was a major surprise.

However, Neville’s positive impact at the start of a four-year contract has raised suggestions he might want to branch out even further.

The 37-year-old is quick to quash that theory.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said of his Euro 2012 experience.

“Who would not enjoy being part of a tournament? It was an incredible experience for me.

“But I am acutely aware it is only the very beginning.

“I am ambitious and young and I want to learn more.

“I have no aspiration to be a football manager. I want to do what I am doing and make as big an impact as I can.”

Neville will continue with his work for Sky Sports next season and is clearly intent on pursuing the ‘green’ ideals that have shaped his life.

It is well known that he has constructed an eco-house in the Lancashire hills.

He wants to do much more though and has joined forces with Dale Vince, owner of Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers, to urge sport’s rulers to become more active in environmental issues.

A Manchester United XI will visit Forest Green on August 5 as part of the pair’s ‘Sustainability in Sport’ campaign, which Neville hopes will start to have a significant impact amongst his peers.

“Sport is an important part of our everyday lives and we believe, sport as an industry must grasp the green agenda,” said Neville.

“The environmental impact of sport is massive but often overlooked - with the Olympics putting sport at the forefront of people’s minds, we believe the time is right to launch a green revolution in sport.”

40 July 15, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport

England’s Pietersen hints at limited overs 36 return

Rivals mulling future in the wake of Rangers’ fall 39

FA considering further options over Terry THE Football Association have been urged to charge John Terry despite the Chelsea captain being cleared in court of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

The FA have said they will study the findings of the court case before deciding whether or not to bring any proceedings.

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, now a BBC presenter, believes Terry should still face action from the FA despite his defence that he was only repeating what he believed Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

Crooks said on www.guardian.co.uk: “I believe it was wrong of him to say these words under any circumstances - and though Terry has been found not to have committed a criminal offence, the FA must now decide whether the former England captain should be charged for contravening its own rules.

“If the FA don’t act on the undisputed facts, and find Terry guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, a lot of good people are saying to me that there’s no point in getting involved in the game at a senior level.”

Crooks also criticised the FA for not acting sooner.

He added: “The real problem in the Terry case began once the FA failed to take immediate action.

“This lack of fibre by the governing body to act instantly when Terry gave them a statement after the verbal clash with Ferdinand, threw the entire procedure into chaos - forcing everyone associated with the game to either dive for cover or sit on the fence.

“It may have appeared expedient to delay matters at the time, but once the police appeared on the scene the FA lost control of the process and the dynamic dramatically changed. The football fraternity suddenly became polarised: the dinosaurs who felt it was no more than two players engaged in a slanging match, and the others convinced Terry had gone too far.”

The FA can still bring charges even though Terry was found not guilty in court because they have a lower burden of proof - Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was banned last season for racially

abusing Patrice Evra, but that case never went to court.

An FA spokesman said: “The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own enquiries. The FA will make no further comment at this time.”

Meanwhile, players’ chief Gordon Taylor has admitted football’s image has been damaged by the revelations during the Terry court case of the vile insults traded between top professionals.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, wants the FA’s Respect campaign to be stepped up for the new season with players taking more responsibility for being role models.

Taylor told the Press Association: “It has been an unedifying process and the game has been damaged as a result of the dirty linen being washed in public.

I now want to see an improvement in the Respect campaign. It is not just the line between what is banter and what is illegal, so much of what we have heard this week needs to be cut out.”

The FA have said they will study the findings of the court case before deciding whether to bring proceedings of their own against England defender John Terry

Greipel claims stage 13, but Wiggins retains yellow jersey German powers ahead to take third Tour de France stage win, equalling Sagan triumphs

By Matt McGeehan

A

ndre Greipel claimed a third victory on the Tour de France with a stage 13 success to Le Cap d’Agde.

Yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins led Team Sky colleague Edvald Boasson Hagen into the finishing straight of the 217-kilometre route from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, but Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) burst from behind the Norwegian’s wheel to triumph.

It was his third stage success after wins on stages four and five, equalling Peter Sagan’s haul of triumphs. Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) was second, with Boasson Hagen third.

The win, two weeks prior to the London 2012 Olympic road race, showed Greipel will be a major threat to world champion Mark Cavendish’s bid for gold on the opening day of the Games on July 28.

With Team Sky’s priority Wiggins’ bid to win the Tour and with Chris Froome a place behind in second

Andre Greipel (C) is likely to be a major threat to world champion Mark Cavendish’s bid for gold on the opening day of the Games on July 28 overall, Cavendish has had limited support in his sixth Tour and was cast adrift on the 1.6km Mont Saint-Clair, a brutal short, sharp category three ascent rising out of the coastal town of Sete.

Wiggins retained a lead of two minutes five seconds from Froome, with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) 2mins 23secs behind in third and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) fourth, 3:19 adrift.

The Tour today enters the

Pyrenees on the 191km 14th stage from Limoux to Foix, which features two category one climbs, but is likely to favour a breakaway.

Five Frenchmen were in the eight-man Bastille Day escape. The best-placed overall was Maxime Bouet (Ag2r La Mondiale), who began the day in 54th place, more than an hour behind Wiggins.

Michael Morkov (Saxo BankTinkoff) attacked alone 60km from home. The Dane was at-

tempting to mark the fifth anniversary of his father’s death with victory and increased his lead over his escape colleagues to 1:10 with 40km to go, with the peloton 3:15 behind.

BMC Racing took to the front as the winds threatened havoc and there was a split in the peloton, but none of the overall hopefuls were affected.

Another obstacle was Mont Saint-Clair.

Morkov reached the low-

er ramps with less than a minute’s lead over Wiggins’ yellow jersey group and was swamped by the peloton as Evans forged forward with Wiggins, Jurgen van den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) and Nibali in pursuit.

Froome was behind the maillot jaune, while Cavendish was dropped early on. Van den Broeck was first over the summit, 23km from the finish, to begin the steep and narrow descent.

The bunch reformed at the start of the run-in along the coast, with Team Sky’s Michael Rogers and Froome at the front and a group of stragglers, including Cavendish, more than a minute behind. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) attacked off the front and Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) followed.

With 8km to go, the peloton were 10 seconds behind the duo and the Cavendish group more than three minutes adrift and out of contention.

Lotto-Belisol, riding for Greipel, were leading the pursuit into the final 5km, with Sagan on the German’s wheel.

There was a further split in the peloton inside the final 4km, with Wiggins and his Team Sky colleagues present in the front group, as Vinokourov and Albasini were caught with 2.6km to go.

The gap in the peloton was closed as counter attacks began, with Luis-Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) making a late acceleration. Wiggins led the pursuit and overtook Sanchez in the finale in his attempt to set up Boasson Hagen.

But Greipel powered to another triumph as the top of the general classification remained unchanged.