By Nemanja Bjedov
MARCOS Baghdatis advanced to the third round at the US Open for the first time in his career after thrashing 17th seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 at Flushing Meadows.
Long matches on Court 17 delayed the start, but the Cypriot was quick out of the blocks against Anderson, taking advantage of a string of unforced errors to claim the first set 6-2 in 26 minutes.
The big-serving South African continued to struggle on serve as Baghdatis raced into a two-set lead.
The 28-year-old Limassol man then refused to give his opponent a route back into the match as he rattled off a straight-sets win in 88 minutes, rolling the back the years with a vintage display to banish memories of a wretched run of form so far in 2013.
Looking confident in his ground strokes, Baghdatis hit 34 winners, twice as many as Anderson and committed just 13 unforced errors.
A strong serving display from the World No.53 ensured he did not face a break point during the match and he won 76 per cent of his service points.
Baghdatis will now face Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, who edged Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-5, 7-6, 6-4.
This will be the third meeting between the pair with Wawrinka winning both previous encounters.
He overcame Baghdatis in the second round of the Australian Open last season in four sets, while his maiden victory over the Cypriot came in 2008 at the Indian Wells Masters.

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Gold, electronics and money worth in total over €10,000 was stolen from a holiday villa in Peyia, police said on Saturday.

According to a complaint filed by a British tourist who was renting the villa, on Friday night burglars broke into the house and stole jewellery and electronic equipment with a total value of about €8,000 plus €2,050 and 260 pounds sterling.

Peyia police said the perpetrators entered through the back door after breaking the lock.

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A YOUNG Swedish tourist was found dead in a pool of blood early Saturday in the parking lot of a hotel in Protaras, barely a day after arriving on the island with friends for a holiday.

According to Famagusta police spokesman Giorgos Economou, at around 6.30am, the 21-year-old tourist was found dead at a hotel parking lot in Protaras. He had arrived in Cyprus with friends on Friday, and was staying at a hotel in the area.

Police sealed off the area and examined the scene, while state pathologist Sophoclis Sophocleous, who conducted his own on-the-spot examination, ruled out foul play.

“It seems that the death of the young man came about from a fall of two and a half metres roughly, which in effect is the height difference between one hotel parking lot and another,” said Economou.

“Based on witness statements and information gathered by police, the young man was in a state of drunkenness,” he added.

According to information collected through statements, the 21-year-old was drinking with friends at a bar in the area when he took the keys to the hotel room where he was staying with friends, and told them that he was going to sleep as he was feeling drunk.

The exact causes of his death will be determined on Sunday during an autopsy that Sophocleous will carry out at Larnaca general hospital.

Paralimni police are investigating the case in collaboration with Famagusta CID.

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A DRUNK man wielding a fake gun drunk was arrested on Friday night after allegedly terrorising people in Kato Paphos with a small pistol.

According to police, they were notified at around 10.30pm on Friday that a man was flashing a small pistol to a group of people. When police carried out a check on the man, they allegedly found him to be drunk, while carrying in a shoulder bag a fake pistol and knife.

The man was arrested and detained in connection with charges of using a weapon to cause terror, carrying a weapon and knife and drunkenness.

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POLICE arrested a tattoo artist in Paphos on Saturday for failing to comply with a court order to stop tattooing with henna.

According to police, on Friday the Paphos district court finalised an order first issued on August 12 ordering the owner of a tattoo shop in Kato Paphos to stop applying “harmful” tattoos using henna.

Following a tip that the man in question had failed to comply with the court order, police went to his shop where they found the owner in the middle of tattooing.

The owner allegedly said he was aware of the court order. When police called on him to comply, he allegedly refused, resulting in his arrest.

Police took various items from the scene to be used later as evidence.

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AT AROUND 12.20am on Saturday, police received a report that young people who had gathered at a Nicosia high school had broken the glass door of a nearby residence.

When members of the Mobile Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) and Lakatamia police arrived at the scene, the youngsters dispersed immediately.

One MMAD unit patrolling the area came across a 16-year-old who was arrested.

During his arrest, the 16-year-old attacked two police members, biting one on the middle finger of his right hand.  The two constables were taken to Nicosia hospital’s emergency room where they were treated and released.

The 16-year-old was questioned in the presence of his parents, charged in writing and released.

Lakatamia police are  investigating.

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By Roberta Rampton and Jeff Mason

President Barack Obama stepped back from the brink on Saturday and delayed an imminent military strike against Syria to seek approval from the US Congress in a gamble that will test his ability to project American strength abroad and deploy his own power at home.

Before Obama put on the brakes, the path had been cleared for a US assault. Navy ships were in place and awaiting orders to launch missiles, and UN inspectors had left Syria after gathering evidence of a chemical weapons attack that US officials say killed 1,429 people.

But Obama decided to seek the backing of US lawmakers before attacking, as polls showed strong opposition from Americans already weary of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Approval will take at least 10 days, if it comes at all.

“Today I’m asking Congress to send a message to the world that we are ready to move as one nation,” Obama said in a dramatic shift announced in the White House Rose Garden.

Obama, whose credibility has been called into question for not punishing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for earlier poison gas attacks, warned lawmakers they must consider the cost of doing nothing in Syria.

“Here’s my question for every member of Congress and every member of the global community: What message will we send if a dictator can gas hundreds of children to death in plain sight and pay no price?” he said.

Obama’s approach has left in doubt whether the United States will carry through with the military steps that the president has already approved. Backing from lawmakers is by no means assured, with many Democrats and Republicans uneasy about intervening in a distant civil war in which 100,000 people have died over the past 2-1/2 years.

Lawmakers for the most part welcomed Obama’s move but there were no steps to bring lawmakers back to Washington early from their summer recess, which lasts until Sept. 9.

“In consultation with the president, we expect the House to consider a measure the week of September 9,” said John Boehner, the top US Republican and speaker of the House of Representatives. “This provides the president time to make his case to Congress and the American people.”

House members are to receive a classified briefing on Sunday from administration officials to hear the case against Syria. Officials briefed senators on Saturday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was unable to persuade the British parliament to back action earlier in the week, welcomed Obama’s move, as did the government of French President Francois Hollande, with whom Obama spoke on Saturday.

In rebel-held areas of Syria, there was a sense of frustration and disappointment.

“God curse everything,” said an activist in the rebel-held territory of Idlib, Ahmad Kaddour. “We’ve become just a game to people. I think this is going to make the situation worse for those of us living here.”

A Reuters reporter visited a group of fighters and activists sitting in a home in Aleppo city. They had not watched Obama’s speech, and when told of the president’s decision, they all agreed it meant there would be no US strike.

“This is the same old hesitancy that the United States have tortured us with since the beginning of the revolution,” one said.

Aides said Obama had been working toward taking military action, but it was only late on Friday when he decided that he first wanted to seek the approval of Congress – an option his advisors had not previously discussed.

Senior administration officials who briefed reporters after Obama spoke said they believed Congress will vote in favor of a US military strike because of the threat chemical weapons pose to the security of US ally Israel and other friends in the region.

The Aug. 21 attack – the deadliest single incident of the Syrian civil war and the world’s worst use of chemical arms since Iraq’s Saddam Hussein gassed thousands of Kurds in 1988 – has galvanized a reluctant Washington to use force after years on the sidelines.

The team of UN experts arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday carrying evidence and samples relating to the attack. They had flown from Beirut after crossing the border into Lebanon by road earlier in the day. No Western intervention had been expected as long as they were still on the ground in Syria.

The 20-member team had arrived in Damascus three days before the Aug. 21 attack to investigate earlier accusations of chemical weapons use. After days holed up in a hotel, they visited the sites several times, taking blood and tissue samples from victims in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus and from soldiers at a government hospital.

WAR WEARINESS

War weariness cost Washington the support of its closest ally: Britain has backed action but was forced to pull out of the coalition after Cameron unexpectedly lost a vote over it in parliament on Thursday, straining London’s “special relationship” with Washington.

Syria and its main ally, Russia, say rebels carried out the gas attack as a provocation. Moscow has repeatedly used its UN Security Council veto to block action against Syria and says any attack would be illegal and only inflame the civil war there.

“I am convinced that (the chemical attack) is nothing more than a provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict,” President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry repeated its denial that the government had used chemical weapons against its own people.    Washington says the Syrian denials are not credible and that the rebels would not have been able to launch such an attack.

Syria’s neighbour Turkey backs the use of force. The Arab League, whose members mainly oppose Assad, has said Syria is to blame for the chemical attack but so far stopped short of explicitly endorsing Western military strikes. Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet in Cairo on Sunday.

Iran, Assad’s main ally in the region, has condemned plans for strikes and warned of wider war.

Syria’s civil war has driven millions from their homes since 2011, when Assad’s forces cracked down on street protests and his enemies took up arms.

The war splits the Middle East on its main fault line between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims and has already spread to neighboring Iraq and Lebanon, threatening to reignite their own civil wars.

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By Toby Davis
Manchester City mined their rich resources to break the resistance of a dogged Hull City on Saturday with 20-million-pound striker Alvaro Negredo coming off the bench to prove his worth in a nervy 2-0 Premier League win.
With memories of last weekend’s defeat to another promoted outfit Cardiff City still fresh, City again looked edgy in defence and lacking attacking inspiration before Negredo found the net.
The Spaniard, who was brought on at halftime and later followed onto the pitch by more high-cost talent in Samir Nasri and James Milner, brought relief to the fans inside the Etihad Stadium with 25 minutes to play when he clinically headed home.
Yaya Toure added an undeserved gloss to the scoreline with a fantastic curling freekick from 20 metres in the 90th minute to give City six points from their opening three games, moving them up to second in the table.
West Ham United missed the chance to join Chelsea at the top of the table on seven points after a Jermaine Pennant freekick gave Stoke City a 1-0 win, while Norwich City beat Southampton 1-0 to record their first league victory of the season.
Newcastle United’s Hatem Ben Arfa scored his team’s first league goal of the season to give them a 1-0 win at home to Fulham, while Everton drew for the third straight game 0-0 at Cardiff City.
In the weekend’s big matches, third-placed Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday while Tottenham Hotspur travel to Arsenal in the North London derby.

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By Loucas Charalambous

The rule has been proven once more. Everything ends up as a farce in this idiotic state and Giorgos Pikis’ ‘investigating committee’ could not be an exception. In this respect I owe an apology.

On the television I frequently saw former Central Bank governor Afxentis Afxentiou at the committee hearings but I did not know the reason for his presence, until a few days ago.

I thought he attended the hearings out of curiosity. I had not noticed that he had been appointed by the Anastasiades administration as ‘economic expert’ to advise and help the committee.

This is perhaps them most insane act in the political history of the country. Afxentiou, as we have written many times, is the main culprit in the (former Yugolslav leader Slobodan) Milosevic scandal – the case that won Cyprus the title of money laundering country, the main argument used by our European partners against our banking system, which they eventually almost decimated as a punishment.

As Central Bank governor at the time, Afxentiou was the responsible state official. However, instead of protecting the banking system and the country, he starred in that sad story and contributed to the country being portrayed as an associate and collaborator of the Yugoslav president in the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo and the deaths of civilians.

A Laiki Bank official recently revealed to me that he was present when the bags full of millions in cash arrived in Cyprus on special flights. The cash was then deposited in the accounts of companies managed by (former president) Tassos Papadopoulos and then used to pay for weapons bought by the Milosevic regime in violation of the relevant decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

On the instructions of Papadopoulos’ law office, huge amounts were also given to Milosevic’s close associates who travelled to Cyprus for this.

The same official assured me that the operations at Larnaca airport were conducted under the protection of the Central Bank – on Afxentiou’s instructions – and the presence of lawyers from Papadopoulos’ law office.

Laiki’s involvement in this scandal was the reason for the withdrawal in 2006 of the lender’s main shareholder, HSBC. Its chairman at the time, Kikis Lazarides, then brought in Andreas Vgenopoulos who was given the HSBC share, and who then led the bank to bankruptcy.

Consequently, the main culprits for Laiki’s collapse were the people whose actions forced HSBC out – Afxentiou, Lazarides and Papadopoulos.

The terms of reference of the investigating committee, specifically article three, tasked it with looking into the “events and conditions under which HSBC withdrew from Laiki and the distribution of its share.”

Kikis Lazarides appeared before the committee on August 11. His accomplice, Afxentiou, was present during his ‘questioning.’

Not as a witness but as an ‘expert’ to help Pikis. This goes beyond all bounds of absurdity. Instead of him being under investigation and called to give answers about the bags of millions, Afxentiou was effectively a member of the committee and an ‘expert’ no less.

Naturally, the only question Pikis did not ask Lazarides, nor Afxentiou of course, was about the filthy Milosevic story – that is, the real cause for HSBC’s departure.

Besides, it’s not a coincidence that the star in the collapse of Laiki, Vgenopoulos, was not even asked to testify before his committee. That is because he would have revealed why HSBC left. This is the seriousness of the committee and its chairman and its investigation. Of course, Pikis is not to blame for this shameful farce. It is those who appointed him and his ridiculous committee and Afxentiou as his ‘expert’ who are to blame.

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By Stefanos Evripidou

CYPRUS cannot be used as a launching pad for attacks on Syria while at the same time offering its services as a shelter of stability and security for fleeing foreign nationals, said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides yesterday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Kasoulides said he has been given assurances that Cyprus will not be used as a launching pad for possible attacks against the Syrian government in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians near Damascus.

At the same time, he said: “Cyprus as a country of stability, peace and security is ready to undertake the responsibility of acting as a shelter in the evacuation of foreign nationals of friendly countries from the Middle East region if needed.

“This is the capacity that we want to safeguard and we have received assurances that (Cyprus’) territory will not be used as a launching pad,” he said, adding: “We cannot be a safe haven of peace and security on the one hand and a launching pad on the other.”

Kasoulides ruled out Cyprus also providing shelter to Syrian refugees, noting that the “current economic situation in Cyprus is not conducive to officially receiving Syrian refugees”.

Regarding the escalating tension in Syria, Kasoulides said the Cyprus government is gravely concerned about the use of chemical weapons against civilians, “especially against the children of the friendly people of Syria and the government’s reaction is even greater when this is happening in such close proximity to our country”.

“The loss of 1,429 lives of which 426 were children in the last attack in Damascus constitutes a crime against humanity and is unreservedly condemned,” he said, adding, “such horrendous action cannot be allowed to pass without consequences”.

The Cypriot FM said there was no doubt about the use of chemical weapons.

While the UN investigative committee is not mandated to apportion responsibility for the alleged chemical attack, the Syrian regime is in the spotlight because it produces, stores and is in a position to use a combination of such weapons contrary to international, national and humanitarian laws, said Kasoulides.

If the Syrian regime had promptly destroyed its chemical weapons in the presence of international observers, it would not have been necessary now to show that it is not responsible for their latest mass use, he added.

Reports suggest American and possibly French forces will launch surgical attacks on Syrian regime targets within the next four days, ahead of the G20 Summit starting on Thursday in St Petersburg. “Whatever happens, the Geneva II procedure must be safeguarded through finding a political solution to the general problem,” Kasoulides added, referring to the proposal for a UN-backed peace conference aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, which has been subject to continuous postponements.

Although UK forces will not be involved in any missile strikes against the Syrian regime, the Guardian reported that Britain will keep its six RAF Typhoon jets in Akrotiri as a defensive measure.

“Cyprus has huge strategic value for the UK because it is the home of the Joint Service Signals Unit– one of the world’s largest surveillance and listening posts,” said the Guardian.

‘Egypt visit of ‘vital importance’

AS ARAB foreign ministers gather in Cairo to discuss the looming US-led attack on Syria, Kasoulides leaves this afternoon for contacts in the Egyptian capital.

Kasoulides said after a “very careful” assessment of the pros and cons, he decided to go ahead with a visit to Cairo where he will make first contact between the new Cypriot government and the interim government of Egypt.

The minister plans to convey a message from President Nicos Anastasiades to Egypt’s interim President and will attempt to restore contacts between High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and the Egyptian authorities.

“My effort will be to restore contacts between Mrs Ashton and the Egyptian authorities in order for her to contribute to the efforts for democratisation, within the framework of the road map announced by the Egyptian government,” he said.

Kasoulides described the visit as being of “vital importance” to Cyprus’ interests.

Egypt is a key factor in Cyprus’ regional policy, he said, noting that there are a number of issues, especially in the field of energy, which require a clear understanding between the two countries.

“We attach great importance to this friendly neighbouring country,” he said.

Asked if he planned to meet with the detained Mohamed Morsi, the first democratically elected President of Egypt who was recently ousted by the military following huge public rallies opposing his presidency, Kasoulides said he had no intentions to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs.

“We do not agree that a coup took place in Egypt,” he said, arguing that the latest bloodshed in the country between pro-Morsi supporters and the military was another phase of the Egyptian revolution following decades

Kasoulides plans to hold meetings with the Egyptian government, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria, the religious leader of Al –Aqsa Mosque, the Coptic Patriarch, and with his “personal friend”, Egyptian politician and diplomat Amr Moussa.

He returns on Tuesday.

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Our establishment has been temporarily shut down because the bank has begun foreclosure proceedings due to the extent of our non performing loans. Patroclos has flown to Washington to try and sweet-talk the IMF’s Delectable Delia into giving him a personal bailout. He did not think Angela Merkel would succumb to his charms – nor would he want her to. We expect a deal to be struck well before next Sunday’s edition after we will be able to offer our regulars a new MoU (Menu of Understanding), including the ‘Bailout Special’ – half a cup of skettos – the ‘Bail-In Special’ where the customer brings his own coffee, and a brand new dart board with a photo of the village idiot in place of the bullseye.

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THE GREED and selfishness of our ruling elite – or should we call it the Cyprus Republic nomenclature – never cease to amaze. Although these loathsome qualities have been observed on countless occasions in the past, when demonstrated in times of state insolvency, record unemployment and widespread poverty they acquire real shock value, because they show that nothing has really changed.

Those who have been plundering state coffers – lawfully and legitimately, we should underline – believe it is their right to carry on doing so, even though this was one of the main reasons the state became bankrupt. It is very difficult for them to break the habit of a life-time, during which the state provided them with the high standard of living ordinary mortals of this country could only dream of.

Earlier this week, it was reported that three former state officials, who had also served as senior civil servants, had filed appeals in the Supreme Court, against a law that reduced their state pensions. They were Afxentis Afxentiou, formerly a permanent secretary, finance minister and Central Bank Governor, Veniamin, formerly a permanent secretary, deputy and interior minister and Dina Akkelidou, formerly a director of the state lab, a deputy and a health minister. A fourth, Christodoulos Christodoulou, who was formerly a permanent secretary, interior and finance minister and Central Bank Governor was reportedly considering appealing.

The above-mentioned three feel financially hard-done by because a January amendment to the 2011 law on pensions of state officials, drastically reduced their civil service pension. The 2011 law had put an end to multiple pensions paid for holding different state positions (that such a legal arrangement existed is indicative of the money-grabbing tendencies of our top officials, who influenced the drafting of the laws), ensuring that the payout could not exceed half the earnings of any of the pensions concerned. But the substantial civil service pension was left untouched, a weakness remedied by 2013 amendment, against which the three former officials are appealing.

Before the 2011 law some of the above-mentioned officials were collecting monthly pension payments in excess of €10,000 a month, without having contributed a cent towards them during their working life. With 2013 amendment, Afxentiou’s pension has fallen by another 53 per cent, from €8,000 to €3,800 per month, causing him to complain about his falling standard of living, which was rather insensitive when we consider that thousands of people’s monthly earnings have been zero, because they receive no unemployment benefit after six months out of work.

This attitude exemplifies the despicable entitlement culture of our ruling elite, who show as much sensitivity to the plight of the poor as Marie Antoinette. This was why Demetris Christofias, while he was president, insisted on being paid his €200 per diem allowance, when abroad, despite all his expenses being paid for by the taxpayer. It is the reason his wife, the former first lady, has applied for redundancy pay, according to reports this week, after losing her Akel job. The last cent possible must be squeezed from the state, even though Mrs Christofias’ husband will be receiving a super-pension for the rest of his life.

We never hear the union bosses, who constantly attack the half a dozen ‘golden boys’ of the banks, say anything about the ‘golden boys and girls’ of the state system. At least the bankers were not taking the taxpayer’s money, like top civil servants, ministers, state officials and deputies have been doing. But union bosses are part of the ruling elite that has milked dry the Cyprus Republic.

These state leeches always cite the law to defend their money-grabbing and greed. Pasydy always reminds us that big wages, big non-contributory pensions big retirement bonuses are part of the collective agreements which are legally binding. The officials appealled against the reduction of their state pension because they believed their right to squeeze as much money as possible out of the state was a legal issue. They do not know that what the law gives, the law can also take away.

This behaviour underlines our society’s biggest problem – everything is treated as a legal issue. But the payment of extortionate pensions to people who have contributed nothing towards them is not a legal issue but a moral issue. When the state is bankrupt and is borrowing billions to stay afloat, when it cannot afford to provide a safety net for the thousands of families with no income, when soup kitchens and supplies depend on the charity of individuals, maintaining state pensions at obscene levels is exclusively a moral issue.

We have lost our moral values, as a society, because we treat everything as a legal issue. This suits the members of our ruling elite, as it allows their lawful plundering of state coffers to continue.

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By Peter Stevenson

THE MAYORS of Cyprus’ five main districts are gearing up to battle the government’s decision to create only one casino resort on the island, saying they all want one and will not take a refusal lying down.

In July, the cabinet announced it would be granting a licence for an integrated casino resort rather than hand out several licences for smaller operations.

It based its findings on a study carried out by private-sector consultants and commissioned by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation. Currently, there are no legally operated casinos in Cyprus, but 24 exist in the northern breakaway state, which are often used by many Greek Cypriots.

The government said that the bureaucracy and red tape associated with the casino resort would be fast tracked to ensure it is conclusion within a year. Parliament is currently in recess, but when MPs return in this month, they will be asked to approve legislation to end the ban on casinos. Then the real battle with start if early comments from the mayors are anything to go by.

Even Constantinos Yiorkadjis, the mayor of Nicosia – which would likely be the last place the cabinet would choose for a casino resort – is joining the fray.

Yiorkadjis said he believes there should be a number of licences which would be strategically placed to bring in the different kinds of visitors that Cyprus attracts.

“I believe we would be better served by investing in smaller scale casinos which are more viable like purpose built and resort casinos,” he told the Sunday Mail.

Yiorkadjis said the Famagusta district could have a theme park style casino to attract mass tourism.

“In Larnaca a hotel-casino could be built in the old airport, in Limassol bearing in mind the town’s population, the visitors and the new marina, a casino could be created with luxury services while in Paphos a casino could be linked to the many golf courses in the area,” he said.

If Nicosia is given the only permit, Yiorkadjis said the casino would have to be in the form of a hotel-casino. “The casino would need to be directed at serving short-stay visitors that are attracted to the capital, which is the business centre of Cyprus,” he said.

The mayor said he believes a casino would need to support the already existing businesses and economy of Nicosia but also be environmentally friendly.

“Any possible casino would need to substantially contribute to reviving the centre of Nicosia but also be able to ensure its sustainability,” the mayor concluded.

Limassol Mayor Andreas Christou said he also believes all of the districts should be given the opportunity to have a casino.

“All the towns have their strengths and can attract different types of visitors so it would fair to give licences to all of the districts,” he said.

The mayor said that casinos would not only bring tourists to the island but would also attract a large number of locals who have a fascination with them.

“Limassol has all the required infrastructure and attractions needed to sustain a casino,” Christou said, adding “It has a large local population, it draws in big business and rich businessmen and it is a destination and place of residence for many Russians who love casinos”.

The mayor also pointed out that Limassol had recently opened a brand new marina which would attract the social elite. The town is also situated close to the British Bases in Episkopi and Akrotiri which would draw British residents, Christou said.

“The municipality is currently preparing a study on the creation of casinos along with other departments related to tourism which we hope will point out the special advantages Limassol has as a possible location for a casino,” he said.

Christou concluded that he feels every district should be able to share in the benefits of having a casino and it should not only be reserved for one area.

The decision to build only one casino will emphasise the competitiveness between the districts on the island as opposed to helping them cooperate with each other, according to Larnaca Mayor Andreas Louroudjiatis.

“Cyprus is a small place and we shouldn’t be put in a position where the different municipalities are having to compete with each other. That said, Larnaca has certain advantages over the other towns,” he said.

The decision on who will choose the location for the casino has yet to be revealed and Louroudjiatis said he feels this does not help the process.

“Larnaca is one of the main entrances to Cyprus and it is a natural position for a casino with both the port and airport in close proximity,” he said.

The creation of a casino resort, the mayor said, will logically bring in more tourism than locals and could rejuvenate Larnaca’s tourist industry.

“No new hotels have been built in the town for the last 20 years unlike some of the other towns, so a casino resort would not take business away from the already existing hotels in the area and possibly damage local tourism,” Louroudjiatis said.

The mayor said he believes Larnaca has an ideal geographical location, being close to all the other towns on the island. He said that possible sites could include the old airport, possibly developing the marina or in a brand new area altogether.

“I have planned an initiative to get in touch with the other mayors to see if we can cooperate in this project. Instead of becoming opponents we can work together to help the people of Cyprus,” he concluded.

Despite numerous phone calls and messages the Mail was unable to get in touch with Paphos Mayor Savvas Vergas. But in early August Vergas said that he believes a fairer decision would have been to give each district a licence for a casino.

“We don’t agree with the government’s decision and we insist they implement a study done by the CTO which would give each district a licence to open a casino which is much fairer,” he said.

Speaking following a town council meeting Vergas said that the location which is finally chosen would end up being fully developed, which could cause more economic problems for other areas as they would lose out substantially.

“We will protest the decision to only licence one casino and we will take our complaints to the president and the relevant minister,” he added.

Paralimni Mayer Theodoros Pyrillis threw down the gauntlet to the other municipalities and stated that Paralimni needed a casino more than any of the other towns.

“We challenge the other municipalities to carry out a survey to see which town deserves to have a casino or not. We deserve it and we will get a casino licence, whether it’s a single licence or one for each municipality,” he said.

Pyrillis said that a town which brings in 40 per cent of the island’s tourism and has businesses operating in the area worth billions would be the perfect location and it would really help improve winter tourism as well.

“A close look needs to be taken as to how other countries go about deciding where to situate a casino and the procedures taken to make that decision,” he said.

The mayor added that he feels a decision needs to made based on the facts and not based on who has more pull with the President or his ministers.

“Only by being transparent can Cyprus finally move forward,” Pyrilles said.

Establishing casinos was a pledge of the present conservative government which came to power in February. The previous administration opposed it on ideological grounds, with former President Demetris Christofias famously declaring that there would no licensed casinos under his watch.

The island is attempting to diversify its economy after its financial sector all but collapsed in March under conditions of a €10 billion bailout with international lenders.

Beyond creating jobs in construction and then in catering and other services, the project would generate revenue from the gambling tax imposed on the licensee.

Boasting a huge bed capacity, an integrated casino resort would also offer a number of auxiliary services, including theme parks, restaurants, shops, and malls. The project itself is expected to bring in an investment of between €600-800 million, half a million new tourists, and create over 3,000 new jobs.

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Men’s Singles Round 3 matches on Saturday

7-Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat Adrian Mannarino (France) 6-3 6-0 6-2
19-Tommy Robredo (Spain) beat Daniel Evans (Britain) 7-6(6) 6-1 4-6 7-5
8-Richard Gasquet (France) beat 32-Dmitry Tursunov (Russia) 6-3 2-6 6-4 4-2 (Tursunov retired)
22-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) beat 13-John Isner (U.S.) 6-4 3-6 7-5 7-6(5)
18-Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) beat Jack Sock (U.S.) 3-6 7-6(1) 6-1 6-2
2-Rafa Nadal (Spain) beat Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 6-4 6-3 6-3
10-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 23-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 6-4
4-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Mikhail Kukushkin (Kazakhstan) 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4

Women’s Singles Round 3 matches on Saturday

Camila Giorgi (Italy) beat 6-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 4-6 6-4 6-3
10-Roberta Vinci (Italy) beat Karin Knapp (Italy) 6-4 6-3
Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) beat Julia Glushko (Israel) 3-6 7-5 7-6(4)
2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) beat 26-Alize Cornet (France) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
13-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) beat Christina Mchale (U.S.) 4-6 7-5 6-4
Flavia Pennetta (Italy) beat 27-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 7-5 6-1
Alison Riske (U.S.) beat 7-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-0
21-Simona Halep (Romania) beat 14-Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 6-1 6-0

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Four years ago our holiday hire car was written off by a driver coming the wrong way down a one-way street in Polis – the driver was employed and insured in the RoC.

I had two fractured ribs and my wife and I needed hospital treatment for bruises, cuts and abrasions. Needless to say, this destroyed our holiday and I am still suffering the effects.

I was appalled to hear that following a court judgement in our favour, the RoC could not afford to pay us damages as they were ‘very hard up’.

As far as the RoC is concerned it appears that tourists are fair game. Needless to say after 25 years as visitors, we will not be returning to Cyprus.

Michael & Rosemary Leedham, UK

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Arsenal and Liverpool emerged victorious from two of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries with wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United respectively on Sunday.

Arsenal prevailed over big-spending Spurs 1-0 thanks to Olivier Giroud’s third goal in as many matches, while Daniel Sturridge matched him in the scoring stakes as The Reds also won 1-0 on the day the club celebrated the 100th birthday of legendary former manager Bill Shankly.

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League with nine points from three matches, two ahead of Chelsea.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Stoke City and Spurs are on six points, with United two further back on four.

Spurs have spent heavily in the transfer window in anticipation of the potential world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, while Arsenal have only brought in Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini on free transfers.

Arsenal, however, looked the more cohesive side and were rewarded after 23 minutes when Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott combined to set up Giroud at the near post.

Both teams pressed in search of further goals, and while there were opportunities neither were able to find the crucial touch, with Spurs in particular in debt to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who made several fine saves.

It was a sweet victory for Arsenal who have recovered from their shock 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa on the opening day of the season with two successive wins, and could help silence some of the critics hitting out at Arsene Wenger’s lack of action in the transfer market.

STURRIDGE ON TARGET

On the day Liverpool celebrated the man who did so much to turn the club into a force, they ensured they honoured Shankly’s memory in the best possible fashion.

Agger got the better of Rio Ferdinand from a corner and Sturridge, celebrating his 24th birthday, reacted sharply to nod the ball home from close range.

Champions United, without striker Wayne Rooney after a training-ground incident left him with a bad cut on his forehead, rarely threatened to equalise despite dominating possession in the second half.

David Moyes’s first competitive defeat as United manager continued his poor record at Anfield where he failed to win in 12 attempts when he was in charge at Everton.

“It is a great win for our belief, last season we drew too many of the big games and we lost both times to Manchester United, but today was another marker for us and since January our form has been very, very good,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports.

“Manchester United played well and we weren’t as fluent as we have been but we now have the mentality to get results.”

In the other early kickoff, Swansea City picked up their first points of the season with victory over West Bromwich Albion, who lie bottom of the table with a single point and no goals scored.

Ben Davies opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a classy side-foot volley after being set up by Pablo Hernandez who sealed all three points in the 83rd minute, capitalising on good work from compatriot Michu.

The result will come as a relief to Michael Laudrup’s side after defeats by United and Spurs, while even the return of striker Nicolas Anelka from compassionate leave could not paper over the problems facing West Brom.

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Men’s Singles Round 3 matches on Sunday

3-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Florian Mayer (Germany) 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2
9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 6-3 6-2 6-7(1) 7-6(7)
5-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat 31-Julien Benneteau (France) 6-0 6-3 6-2

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Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has finally joined Real Madrid for a world record 100 million euros ($131.86 million) on a six-year deal, the two clubs announced on Sunday.

Spanish club Real Madrid said the 24-year-old Wales winger had been signed pending a medical and Tottenham official Simon Felstein told Reuters the fee was 100 million euros.

“He is going to join Real Madrid and he has left us with great memories from last season which every Tottenham fan cherishes,” Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas told reporters after his side had lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Premier League.

“He has moved on and we have moved on as well.”

A statement from Real Madrid said Bale would “be tied to the club for the next six seasons”.

“The player will be presented tomorrow, Monday Sept. 2, at 1 p.m. (1100 GMT) at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after having the relevant medical tests.

“Afterwards, Gareth Bale will take to the Santiago Bernabeu pitch for the first time in a Real Madrid shirt and will speak to media organisations in the press room.”

In a statement Bale said it was the right time to leave Tottenham after six very happy years.

“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date.

“I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true,” he said.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said the club had had no intention of selling Bale.

“He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract,” Levy said on the club’s official Twitter feed.

“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.

“We have, therefore, with great reluctance (sold him) and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad.”

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LIMASSOL police were investigating an attempted murder on Monday after a 31-year-old man was taken to Limassol general hospital suffering from a ruptured kidney and wounds to his back, shoulder and nose.

He was operated on and held in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

According to reports, while the 31-year-old was walking along the pavement in the Yermasogia area on Sunday he was attacked by three men in a car who stabbed him and left, police said. The victim told police that he was taken to Limassol polyclinic by an unknown person and then he was later taken by ambulance to Limassol general hospital.

He is in a critical but stable condition according to doctors.

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Two Syrian men were remanded for two days by Paphos district court on Monday following their arrest on Sunday after they attempted to board a plane to Stockholm using counterfeit identity cards.
Suspicions were raised at Paphos Airport when firstly a 19-year-old Syrian man attempted to board the flight at 11.30am using a Romanian identity card and a boarding pass with the same name. The Syrian man told police he had bought the identity card in May from an unknown person in Limassol for €1,000.
The second Syrian man, 22, attempted to board the plane ten minutes later using an Italian identity card. The ID card was not counterfeit but had been altered, police said. The 22-year-old told officers that he had bought the ID card from a Romanian man in Paphos for €800.
It was later established that the 22-year-old is on the stop list after his residency permit had expired in August 2011.

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