Forgive my naivety when I make references to political circumstances; unfortunately my knowledge of politics is slightly distorted, but I feel I am able to voice my opinion concerning the grave state of affairs in Cyprus.
As a citizen and tax payer for almost twelve years in Cyprus, this gorgeous island has served as a haven following my exodus from a post-apartheid and crime-torn South Africa.
More than a decade ago, my wife and I mutually agreed that South Africa had mushroomed into a “gangster’s paradise,” and the thought of investing our future in a crumbling society brought us to the shores of Aphrodite. South Africa’s baptised image of a “rainbow nation” was perfect in theory, however unrealistic in practicality; a surge of warlords had swallowed the concrete jungle of Johannesburg, transforming the metropolis garnished with Mediterranean panache, into a third world image of looting and murder.
And so, on a brave September morning, we boarded a one-way flight to an optimistic and hopeful future.
The Good
Cyprus fulfilled its promise of a picture-postcard image; a crime-free society where unlocked front doors and open verandas invited the warmth of its Mediterranean sun into our homes. The Cypriot hospitality extended itself wonderfully in all sectors, primarily tourism.
Foreigners flocking to the “island of love” were treated with traditional flavours of Cypriot men, juggling a tower of glasses above their heads as tourists joyfully connected with them on the dance floor, seizing the moment through their digital lens; an image transported back to their country of a time-honoured Cyprus that had not submitted to the commercialised notion of western franchises.
Cypriots were eager to join the European Union in an attempt to resolve the ongoing ‘cancer’ on their divided island; our ‘brothers’ were finally going to help unite our illegally divided country, following the unlawful invasion from Turkey in 1974. After all, Makarios’ cries at the White House were filed away in a storage cabinet, and a sympathetic tap on the back was all our American friends could offer as a consolation package; four decades on, Nicosia is acknowledged as the only divided capital in Europe, if not the world.
And so, after a celebratory show, Cyprus was sworn in as a member state with the hope of reunification, a flourishing banking sector, a thriving tourist and property industry, golf courses, five star resorts, blue flag beaches and a new currency.
The Bad
On the 28 February 2008, communist party leader Demetris Christofias was sworn in as president of Cyprus, vowing to resolve the Cyprus problem by making it his “top priority.”
I had the opportunity to interview the then First Lady of Cyprus, Elsie Christofias who painted a wonderful image of a sensible and dedicated husband, leaving me with an impression of optimism. Perhaps my judgemental impression of Christofias, and his unfortunate stigma of “communism,” steering the country into an abyss of economic downfall, should be overlooked?
But on the morning of 11 July 2011, the island of Cyprus was plunged into darkness following an explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. The incident, referred to as the “worst peacetime military accident,” was attributed to the communist government’s oversight of storing confiscated explosives, for two-and-a-half years in the blazing sun, causing them to self-detonate. The resulting explosion killed thirteen people, injuring a further sixty-two, damaged nearby buildings including the island’s largest power station.
The president of Cyprus remained neutral, claiming no responsibility, and is yet to apologise for the untimely death of all those people.
Business as usual, the president returned to his post as the monopolised electricity authorities cleaned up his mess by burdening the common folk with an abominable levy on all accounts, hoping to recover their losses.
In the interim, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus chose to expand their services into a newly-built edifice, costing the tax payer an unheard-of fifteen million Euros. And, almost one mile from the new, macabre-looking electricity centre, a novel water feature adorns the traffic roundabout, contributing another two million Euros to the escalating and unwarranted costs.
Oblivious to the country’s corruptibility, the pitiable president travels to Brussels and is warned by the Eurogroup that Cyprus is heading in the same direction of Spain and Greece. Having already signed a staggering ten billion euro gift to “motherland” Greece, throwing his country into a debt exceeding the size of the local economy seven times, Christofias decides to spend Christmas with his family, overlooking to inform his government that Cyprus is officially bankrupt.
The Ugly
Cypriots were presented with three ‘promising’ candidates for the country’s 2013 presidential elections: The first adopted a slogan that Cyprus needed a “leader through the economic crisis.” The second, although not a communist but certainly backed by the outgoing government, guaranteed the country (under his presidency), would ensure “reliability.” The third, a shadow caught between the two, would promise “zero tolerance” to any grooming of depositor’s accounts.
And so, after a battle of marketing promise, the first emerged as a “messiah” to the crucifixion of Cyprus.
The daunting sight of empty shops – pleading for tenants, continued to paint a picture of economic strife. The absence of the church tested my patience. The collapse of the mismanaged Orphanides supermarket chain sent thousands of employees packing. Restrictions and salary cuts were emerging as common practice, while protestors took to the streets voicing their concerns.
After two weeks in office, newly-elect president Nicos Anastasiades confirms an immediate “grooming of accounts” before consulting his nation. I recall waking up on a ‘bright’ Saturday morning, informed of the sudden, undemocratic decision. The ill-targeted solutions contrived by a vindictive European Union ‘family’ began to surface, as calls from family and friends encouraged one to head to the nearest cash point to withdraw funds; the forthcoming public holiday implied that the banks would remain closed for three days.
Two weeks after the fateful revelation, Cyprus’ banks remain closed. Daily withdrawal limits have been reduced as the banks are made aware of a mass exodus of funds. The Cypriots have lost faith in their own banking sector as its inexcusable actions have brought the Cypriot economy to its knees. The thriving Church of Cyprus finally submitted to the cries of the nation by donating all its assets for the benefit of its people.
The former president’s daughter is questioned over the astounding amount of cash (approximately seven million Euros) found nestled in her bank account; she attempts to justify the amount as “wedding presents,” but that fails to convince the disgruntled public.
The wife of the ‘bankrupt’ Orphanides supermarket group is questioned at the country’s International Airport over the two million Euros discovered in her vanity case.
Our European ‘brothers’ fail to offer Cyprus a helping hand, pushing the island into a corner, forcing them to submit to their demands; acknowledging that friends are few, Cyprus surrenders to a second bailout plan, forcing the island’s second largest bank to shut down and punish innocent victims with a larger percentage cut on their savings.
The rich have finally reduced themselves to the level of the poor, as the European Union’s communist antics redefine the vision once inspired by the founding fathers of this corruptible entity.
Tomorrow morning, the Cypriot nation will greet a ‘new’ Cyprus. The “rainbow nation” residing on the island will certainly redefine the concept once bestowed on my beautiful South Africa. The island reverts to acts of desperation as it continues to open its doors to non-Europeans, altering the face of the once “traditional Cyprus.” After all, we need the money, right?
An unfamiliar wave of marketing reassures the traveller that Cyprus is no longer a Greek-speaking colony, and the local dancer at the village tavern, begins the evening’s festivities incorporating a Chinese dragon dance with Russian squatting and kicking.
“We aim to please,” as the tourist is presented with a menu in five official languages: Greek, English, Russian, Mandarin and Farsi. And, as soon as the European Union decides how we should resolve the Cyprus problem, Turkish will soon be included.
The expression, “at the end of every rainbow is a pot of gold,” certainly reassures us that as soon as our natural gas announces its arrival, the communist beliefs recently exposed by the European Union will ensure that everyone, including Germany and Brussels get a piece of the pie.
Weight for me tomorrow. Paul
Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts. For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com
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