The report of Polys Polyviou, the investigator into July’s tragic explosion at the Mari naval base, is due to be published on Monday. Perhaps now is an opportune time to take a closer look not at the explosion itself and the events leading up to it, but the manner in which the principal protagonists in this affair have behaved in justifying their actions... 3 comments

Hermes Solomon recently made a very brief reference to wind farms, and I happened to drive through the Orites complex the other day. There are now several other farms either working or under construction in Cyprus, all of which are subsidised in terms of initial cost by the EU. But we still pay half the investment which amounts to hundreds of millions of euros.   ... 2 comments

We, and every free, honourable Egyptian, will resist all efforts to steal the glorious revolution. What is happening now in Egypt is corruption, suppression of people’s freedoms, deliberate undermining of security by setting half a million Baltajis to terrorise people and controlling the media by terrorism, appointing new broadcasters because they are relative to Mubarak’s corrupt ruling regime. In a July interview with Saad Hajras on Good Morning Egypt, the presenter said there were instructions from the military council about what is allowed to be aired, hence we are still being governed by the corrupt regime.The revolution was born to bring about cleansing.Meanwhile, the following remain true: ... Read on

Some years ago I made the comment that if Cyprus had the ‘Black Gold’ instead of just olive oil, the Cyprus Problem would have been sorted out long ago. Now see what is happening: Cyprus, Israel, America, Russia and Turkey are like bees round a honey pot.Well done to President Christofias - this time God is with you. The decision to act now, despite the veiled threats from Ankara, shows that the Republic of Cyprus still has some mettle left.Mr Downer is, of course, as usual making noises re the UN and conciliation over oil deposits – for God’s sake man, zip it and let Cyprus get on with what has to be done. Geoff Unsworth,Paphos... 1 comment

Dear Mr or Ms Roberts,I read your letter published in the August 14 Sunday Mail regarding a request for photographs of George Hadjipavlou, the husband of Ann who is now in a UK nursing home.Being a close relative of the family, I have fortunately two photos in which George is clearly shown, so please contact me through the Cyprus Mail, so that we may find a way to get the images to you. N. Georgiou,Nicosia... Read on

I HAVE recently watched a British Sky news documentary called The Greek Myth, which was contemptuously critical of Greece, the Greek economy, Greek corruption and the Greeks in general. Though the criticism was certainly well deserved, the contempt was completely uncalled for.But what I found to be truly surprising was the way the Greeks who took part in this programme sheepishly accepted everything the arrogant interviewer threw at them, without a single one of them making a comparison between the undeniable Greek corruption and mismanagement with the equally undeniable British corruption and mismanagement - which has been raised to the level of a science and has the advantage of being very expertly camouflaged. ... 1 comment

I would like to express my disappointment and despair regarding the manner that the Church of Cyprus handles the feelings and sensitivity of its members regarding the process that must be followed for the purchase and construction of a grave in a cemetery.My father died on July 9, 2008 and I bought his grave from the church of “Panagias Chryseleousis” on November 10, 2008, given that the Strovolos cemetery belongs to the church. When I asked somebody to prepare a grave for my father, a certain individual  was suggested to undertake the task. ... 1 comment

I would like to respond to one of the Sunday Mail’s recent letter writers, complaining about the noise of early morning church-bell ringing. One of today’s problems creating friction between people is the refusal of individuals to recognise that all religions have deep roots and so all of us must allow minor changes in our lifestyle to accommodate the rights and freedoms of believers... 1 comment

Regarding the recent violence between AEL and Omonia at Nicosia’s GSP stadium: why amid such a small crowd was the segregation not better? There is no need for the last three blocks of the highway stand to be used or probably the last two in the main stand. Nor the last two either side of the AEL fans. This is down to the police and the GSP authorities who I believe are responsible for the stewarding(badly trained stewards). Although I’m no hooligan I did travel to watch games in the ’80s at the height of Chelsea’s hooligan days and we would never be allowed the space and freedom of movement you are given at the GSP. Sotiris Stavvy Georgiou,Commenting via theCyprus Mail website... 1 comment

With regards to the recent Cyprus Mail article on the 71-per cent waste tax increase in the east of the island:Is there any local government that will reduce a particular resident’s local taxes if they recycle? And how would that be administered? To a certain extent the above sounds like a noble idea, but beyond the challenges of administering such a concept lies the more policy-oriented question of why different local governments are charging different rates to access the central facility at Koshi. In most countries, services (electricity, water, solid waste, postal) are priced such that you pay the same unit rate regardless of how close or distant you are from where that service is provided. Faris Sayegh,Commenting via the... Read on