Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

What is difficult for you to understand?

Cypriot Politicians did leave their money in Cypriot Banks and I am sure that most of them would pay the levy.

But in some cases when dealing with 20 million as some reports say, then that is completely a different ball game. 12 million is really a lot of money.

I can't blame any Cypriot Politician from doing it, because I would probably do the same in the same position. We are not dealing with a deposit of 100,000 or 200,000 but 20 million as is alleged.

The only Cypriots that would have that kind of money in the Bank would be large business, the extremely wealthy or some filthy Russian criminals so I don't think they would weigh heavy in their hearts. Cypriot Pensioners and retirees would, but losing a few thousand is one thing and 12 million is quite another.

Nah! No way! I think I would remove the money even if I was President and accept the Political Cost.

Clearly, the bit that is difficult for you to understand is the bit about honesty and integrity!

I do not believe in any way that Honesty and Integrity has anything to do with this!

[cyprusgrump]

What is difficult for you to understand?

Cypriot Politicians did leave their money in Cypriot Banks and I am sure that most of them would pay the levy.

But in some cases when dealing with 20 million as some reports say, then that is completely a different ball game. 12 million is really a lot of money.

I can't blame any Cypriot Politician from doing it, because I would probably do the same in the same position. We are not dealing with a deposit of 100,000 or 200,000 but 20 million as is alleged.

The only Cypriots that would have that kind of money in the Bank would be large business, the extremely wealthy or some filthy Russian criminals so I don't think they would weigh heavy in their hearts. Cypriot Pensioners and retirees would, but losing a few thousand is one thing and 12 million is quite another.

Nah! No way! I think I would remove the money even if I was President and accept the Political Cost.

Clearly, the bit that is difficult for you to understand is the bit about honesty and integrity!

I do not believe in any way that Honesty and Integrity has anything to do with this!

Of course it does! it is the very essence of it!

You are saying that if you were president you would exclude yourself from the haircut that affects all of the 'ordinary people'...

Because in some way your money is more important to you than that of ordinary hard-working tax-payers and savers because you have more of it than them...?

And you would exclude your friends and family too - because as president you and your family are above the law? Where does it say that...?

And I suppose that other laws shouldn't apply to you and your family - load speeding restrictions and regulations...? So normal people should be fined and pay the fines for breaking the law but you should not?

How about drugs for instance? Keep the ban for 'ordinary people' but have a quiet puff on your own in private because you are special...?

Can't you see that you have no honesty and no integrity and the people could never trust you?

[B25]

I hate to say this and it's killing me, but I absolutely agree with CG here. One of the main problems in Cyprus is the meson, nepotism and corruption inbuilt into the Cypriot psyche and most especially the politicians who believe THAT THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW. Go check how many have outstanding tax and fines that they think is not for them to pay but only the poorer citizen has to.

Come on Paphitis you are better than that.

Well said Grumpy.

[cyprusgrump]

I hate to say this and it's killing me, but I absolutely agree with CG here. One of the main problems in Cyprus is the meson, nepotism and corruption inbuilt into the Cypriot psyche and most especially the politicians who believe THAT THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW. Go check how many have outstanding tax and fines that they think is not for them to pay but only the poorer citizen has to.

Come on Paphitis you are better than that.

Well said Grumpy.

[Paphitis]

The severity of the haircut was increased because of Christofias' inaction, or because the current administration did not negotiate hard enough, or because the ECB forced it upon Cyprus as an experiment or to make an example of Cyprus. It could be all 3 combined.

This has nothing to do with meson, rusfeti or nepotism. It is alleged that a high profile Cyprus Politician who is now President moved a substantial amount of money from Cyprus in the order of 20 million. He is not the only politician to do that. It is even alleged that other Banks quickly scrambled and moved Billions from Cyprus and that they had prior knowledge from the ECB.

I don't blame the pollies for doing that. It is something I would have considered if in their shoes. I believe it is just a normal human action that most people would do. But for argument sake, if you believe our pollies lack integrity and honour then so does the ECB and other European Banks.

As for nepotism, I believe that is something which brings into question the integrity and honour of those that are guilty of it and is far more serious than protecting your families financial interests which I believe most would do in an instant.

Integrity and honour is portrayed by taking a 25% pay cut as President, not blowing 12 million. That is just pure insanity inmho!

[cyprusgrump]

The severity of the haircut was increased because of Christofias' inaction, or because the current administration did not negotiate hard enough, or because the ECB forced it upon Cyprus as an experiment or to make an example of Cyprus. It could be all 3 combined.

This has nothing to do about meson, rusfeti or nepotism. It is alleged that a high profile Cyprus Politician who is now President moved a substantial amount of money from Cyprus in the order of 20 million. He is not the only politician to do that. It is even alleged that other Banks quickly scrambled and moved Billions from Cyprus and that they had prior knowledge from the ECB.

I don't blame the pollies for doing that. It is something I would have considered if in their shoes. I believe it is just a normal human action that most people would do. But for argument sake, if you believe our pollies lack integrity and honour then so does the ECB and other European Banks.

As for nepotism, I believe that is something which brings into question the integrity and honour of those that are guilty of it and is far more serious than protecting your families financial interests which I believe most would do in an instant.

Integrity and honour is portrayed by taking a 25% pay cut as President, not blowing 12 million. That is just pure insanity inmho!

I suspect you are alone in your views on this...

...and I suggest you don't ever stand for office...

[Paphitis]

No CG, I do not believe I am alone with these views. Others just love getting on the polly bash band wagon. I will only bash pollies if I believe there are valid reasons to do so.

I am just being honest and trying to be ethical. There is nothing more ethical than being honest!

[cyprusgrump]

No CG, I do not believe I am alone with these views. Others just love getting on the polly bash band wagon. I will only bash pollies if I believe there are valid reasons to do so.

I am just being honest and trying to be ethical. There is nothing more ethical than being honest!

A president who believes in one rule for himself and another for those that elected him is certainly not acting ethically....

[Paphitis]

No CG, I do not believe I am alone with these views. Others just love getting on the polly bash band wagon. I will only bash pollies if I believe there are valid reasons to do so.

I am just being honest and trying to be ethical. There is nothing more ethical than being honest!

A president who believes in one rule for himself and another for those that elected him is certainly not acting ethically....

I wouldn't go so far to say that because you DO NOT know exactly what he knew or whether this transaction was his as alleged or whether it was not planned earlier.

But even if your worse is true, I can hardly blame the guy and that is what I am saying.

And as I stated earlier, your logic applies equally to the ECB which is responsible for the haircut and yet is alleged of tipping some of the world's biggest and richest Banks to pull out of Cyprus before it is too late.

So, one rule for the people and another for the ECB that is entrusted to apply responsible fiscal policies for the EU, which of course includes Cyprus.

[cyprusgrump]

No CG, I do not believe I am alone with these views. Others just love getting on the polly bash band wagon. I will only bash pollies if I believe there are valid reasons to do so.

I am just being honest and trying to be ethical. There is nothing more ethical than being honest!

A president who believes in one rule for himself and another for those that elected him is certainly not acting ethically....

I wouldn't go so far to say that because you DO NOT know exactly what he knew or whether this transaction was his as alleged or whether it was not planned earlier.

But even if your worse is true, I can hardly blame the guy and that is what I am saying.

And as I stated earlier, your logic applies equally to the ECB which is responsible for the haircut and yet is alleged of tipping some of the world's biggest and richest Banks to pull out of Cyprus before it is too late.

So, one rule for the people and another for the ECB that is entrusted to apply responsible fiscal policies for the EU, which of course includes Cyprus.

Of course I don't know...

I didn't say I did know for sure - we were talking hypothetically and you defended him....

If ever there was a case of defending the indefensible this is it!