Frank and Joan's news for 27 January 2008 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....

Joan and I went to church this morning because we especially wanted to hear Canon Andrew White, visiting from Iraq. He said that he was used to seeing bad things and carnage, but what he has been witnessing over the last months is like nothing he had ever seen before. His life there must be quite horrendous since the targeted campaign against Christians. He said that his congregation is made up of 95% women as all the men have either been slaughtered or kidnapped. We read all the reports in the press but only when listening to somebody who is actually there on the ground do we possibly appreciate the horrors of it all.

There is an article in the press this week about an extra tax on property purchases. Can I suggest that anybody wanting more information take a look at The Home Buyers Pressure Group site. http:// www.hbpg-trnc.net/

Another uproar about price increases, this time it is electricity, going up by up to 21%. The government is being accused again of mismanaging the countries finan

ces and trying to cover shortfalls by every means possible, without of course considering the consequences. Somebody has pointed out the obvious, price increases in this area will have a knock on effect. The electricity company says that it is losing money every month, due to prices being below production and investment costs. The people find it difficult to see how an energy system full of defects can increase its prices. Think this one is going to rumble on for some time.

Roadside spot checks have begun on vehicle emissions. The cost of an emission test is only 19YTL and there are now 76 testing stations, so really no excuse for not having your car tested.

According to reports the Amaranta Development is on schedule at the end of the first month of renewed construction. Some of the partially completed bungalows have needed to be demolished, due to exposure to the weather over the last two years. At this time the schedule is for final completion in January 2009.

The changes to legislation to reduce hopping hours here has been delayed. Many of the unions involved have pressed hard for the government to think again before making these changes. So for the time being the shops, in particular the supermarkets, will remain open on Sundays.

Many politicians are pushing hard for an early general election due to the major dissatisfaction of the current government coalition. The Social Democrats have this week made a scathing speech about government expenditure, highlighting the nepotism that exists here, such as an increase of 3,000 new employees, creating a need for higher taxes to cover the wage bill etc. We have said for a long time that this is the route of all problems, too many untrained people sitting around drinking coffee or just watching others work. My favourite people, CTA, are a typical example, 1,200 employees and only 6 planes, begs questions.

The next milestone possibly in the solution to the divided island approaches. The presidential elections next month in the South. It is suggested that it is a close call with the current president just ahead by a nose.