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Gym Flexing Summer 2018
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CYPRUS' GOLDEN VISA SCHEME EXPOSES EU 'TO THE CORRUPT'
Cyprus Mail - article by Jean Christou -10 October 2018
Cyprus is high on a list of EU countries red-flagged in a damning international report on Wednesday suggesting its golden visa programme in spite of recent ‘cosmetic’ controls, as it stands, remains at risk of “exposing the EU to the corrupt and the criminal”.
The joint report by Global Witness and Transparency International said that programmes run by some European Union countries to sell passports and residency permits to wealthy foreign citizens pose risks of money laundering as some of the schemes are not properly managed.
Such schemes are currently applied in 13 EU countries: Austria, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Greece, Latvia, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Britain, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and France. Hungary has terminated its programme.
According to the report, titled ‘European Getaway – Inside the Murky World of Golden Visas’. Cyprus’ citizenship-by-investment marketing says the island offers “the quickest, most assured route to citizenship of a European country”.
“The statistics seem to support this,” the damning report said. “Cyprus’ passports-for-sale scheme is the most prolific of its kind in Europe, with 3,300 foreign nationals having secured EU passports since 2013.”
It added that prior to the programme’s revamping in 2013, ministers granted Cypriot citizenship on a discretionary basis, in a less formal arrangement. Cyprus has earned a whopping €4.8 billion from its scheme. Cyprus, with a cost for a passport of up to €2m has the potential to attract €1.4 billion annually, which represents about 7.5 per cent of the country’s current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) levels, according to the report.
Analysis of the schemes offered in Cyprus, Malta and Portugal, it added, shows the ways in which “insufficient due diligence, wide discretionary powers and conflicts of interest” could open Europe’s door to the corrupt.
“Specifically, we found that Cyprus and Portugal, in spite of recent reviews and changes in their programmes, do not seem to take into account an applicant’s source of funds or wealth when analysing applications,” said the report.
It said the Cyprus government had acknowledging the existence of “problematic cases” and unveiled a set of reforms in August this year.
The reforms doubled the length of time for assessing applications and introduced an annual cap of 700 on the number of passports for sale. Also, private sector agents are now accredited by and answerable to the Supervision and Control Committee.
These agents are named on a public register and obliged to abide by a code of conduct that requires them to submit a “report of the findings of due diligence review” for every individual they support for citizenship.
“Indeed, so concerned was the government about protecting its reputation, that it created a new code of conduct banning agents from referencing the “sale of passports” or from using the EU symbol or pictures of passports in their marketing material,” the report said.
However according to the two international groups, there is continued cause for concern, particularly as some of the reforms seem to be more cosmetic than substantive.
For example, it remains unclear whether the cap on applications applies only to main applicants or includes dependents. “If the former, the cap of 700 applicants is somewhat disingenuous, for the number of main applicants since the scheme’s establishment has never been higher than 503 a year, a number that is far below the new cap”.
The report also says it remains to be seen if the Supervision and Control Committee will be given the independence, resources and mandate to rigorously apply the code of conduct and to pursue violations. Moreover, while agents appear to be under greater scrutiny, it remains unknown if applicants themselves have been subject to enhanced due diligence, it added.
In May 2018, it was reported that the government would be bringing in agencies that specialise in identifying money laundering to review applications. As of August 2018, however, there has been no confirmation that the government will conduct its own independent and in-depth due diligence checks or take any steps to verify the source and legitimacy of an applicant’s wealth. “This leaves open a critical gap,” the report said.
“Despite their shortcomings, these new changes represent the long overdue recognition that the scheme may have exposed Cyprus and the EU to risky individuals. To prove that their reforms are not mere cosmetics, the Cypriot government must ensure that applicants are subject to enhanced due diligence as a matter of course.”
The two groups said the government must not rely on banks or agents alone to conduct this critical work and that Cypriots, and other EU citizens, deserved to know whether individuals who were successfully naturalised through the scheme prior to August 1, 2018 pose risks to the EU. They call on Cyprus to review past cases and revoke such citizenships if warranted.
It was revealed last year that recipients of Cypriot golden visas included, according to Wednesday’s report, “a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the super-rich of Russia, Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Amongst them were the Ukrainians Gennady Bogolyubov and his former business partner Igor Kolomoisky, who together founded PrivatBank and were its largest shareholders until its nationalisation by the Ukrainian government in 2016.
“The fact that this oligarch duo successfully secured Cypriot citizenship broaches the question of whether there had been any red flags in 2010, and if so, whether the government’s risk appetite was such that it had been willing to overlook them,” the report said
“Now that the pair find themselves in court, the next question is whether Cyprus will consider revoking their status, should they be found at fault.”
Oleg Deripaska was also mentioned. The Russian oligarch was granted Cypriot citizenship in 2017, even though his application had allegedly raised questions, at least in the early stages.
According to the report, Deripaska was asked to resubmit his application due to the results of a preliminary inquiry into his affairs in Belgium. The inquiry was dropped in 2016, and his application for a Cypriot naturalisation succeeded.
“The fact that American authorities revoked Deripaska’s US business visa in 2007 on the grounds of alleged ties to organised crime in Russia did not seem to have weighed in on the [Cypriot] Council of Ministers’ decision. But will they change their minds now that Deripaska has been sanctioned by the US Treasury?”
“If you have a lot of money that you acquired through dubious means, securing a new place to call home far away from the place you stole from isn’t just appealing, it’s sensible,” Naomi Hirst of rights group Global Witness told Reuters on Wednesday after the report was issued.
She urged the European Union to set standards for managing the schemes and to extend anti-money laundering rules, applied so far to banks or gaming firms, to all those involved in the visa-for-sale industry. The European Commission is expected to publish a report on schemes in EU countries by
According to Reuters, EU states generated around €25 billion in foreign direct investment in a decade from selling at least 6,000 passports and nearly 100,000 residency permits, the report said using what it called conservative estimates.
“Poorly managed schemes allow corrupt individuals to work and travel unhindered throughout the EU and undermine our collective security,” Laure Brillaud, anti-money laundering expert at Transparency International, told the news agency.
NEW SCULPTURE UNVEILED IN HEART OF PAPHOS' OLD TOWN
Cyprus Mail - 9 October 2018
By Bejay Browne
A new bronze sculpture created by Cypriot artist, Yiota Ioannidou, was installed on Tuesday in a recently renovated square in Paphos old town.
With commanding views of the town below and the Mediterranean behind her, a bronze of a child now sits atop a cushion and plinth crafted in marble, holding a sparrow, with others perched beside her, under the branches of a recently-planted olive tree.
After the installation was completed, Ioannidou told the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday: “This is a very special square, its position is unique and I was looking for somewhere particular since my work is taking a direction of art in public spaces.”
‘The girl with a sparrow’ is the third work by the Paphos-born artist to be placed in the town,The Little Fisher Boy and Sol Alter, a homage to Aphrodite, attract hundreds of visitors every day.
Another of her sculptures is found in Argaka and honours rural mothers.
Born in Paphos, Ioannidou studied at the School of Fine Arts in Athens, before returning to Paphos, which she loves.
The artist, whose art is her oxygen, she says, added that public art, such as this project, creates an energy in a space and connects the public looking at it, giving a sense of humanity and culture.
“I want people to talk to each other, to feel something when they see a sculpture and to bring families into spaces, to make our senses work, no matter what the subject is. This is the point of public art,” she said.
She added that her goal as an artist was not to decorate a space, but to make a subject speak to the soul of the people.
Ioannidou said that the title of the piece refers to the sparrow that has chosen to sit so carefully in the girl’s hand, as she gently holds it. She chose to include sparrows as an integral part of the piece as they fly freely, are not caged and are beautiful.
“When we see a child we see hope, the next generation and the future,” she added of the piece.
The upgraded square is part of a massive project which has seen millions of euros invested in the centre of Paphos’ old town.
The new tree was included in the artists project and replaces a huge ancient tree that was uprooted by terrible storms in the area last year, and couldn’t be saved.
“Olive trees are traditional, strong, part of our culture and embody peace,” she said.
The sculpture was made with the support of Paphos municipality and has taken the artist ten months to complete.
“I am very happy to see her completed and sitting in her place, I hope it speaks to people and brings them pleasure,” she said.
AMPHITHEATRE CAFE - ST MICHAEL HOSPICE'S BIG COFFEE MORNING
From Monday 15th to Sunday 21st October, the Amphitheatre Cafe will be baking Cheese Scones and Sultana Scones in addition to their usual plain scones as their contribution to the St Michael Hospice’s Big Coffee Morning.
You will not be charged when you order scones but it is hoped that you will make a generous donation to the Hospice. Scones will be available all day [supplies permitting] and if you prefer you can take your scones away to enjoy later. If you require a large order, please call in advance!
Normal opening hours until 28th October are 9am – 8pm except on Friday 12thwhen the cafe will be closing early at 6pm.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S STATEMENT TO HOUSE RE UPDATE ON EU EXIT NEGOTIATIONS
SECRETARY OF STATE DOMINIC RAAB'S STATEMENT - UPDATE ON EU EXIT NEGOTIATIONS - 9 October 2018
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to update the House on the progress in negotiations to leave the EU, and the government’s planning for No Deal.
Negotiations
Since I last updated the House, our negotiations with the EU have continued and intensified.
Over the recess break, we have been engaging constructively with our EU counterparts.
Let me take the main areas of the negotiations in turn.
On the Withdrawal Agreement, while there remain some differences, we are closing in on workable solutions to all the key outstanding issues, building on the progress we made during the summer on issues such as data and information, the treatment of ongoing police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters, and ongoing Union judicial and administrative procedures after the date of exit.
We have also been discussing proposals on the linkage needed between the Withdrawal Agreement and the Future Relationship, and the EU is engaging constructively.
On the Northern Ireland Protocol, we remain committed to the undertakings we made in the Joint Report back in December, to agree a backstop in case there is a delay between the end of the Implementation Period and the entry into force of the treaty on our future relationship.
That was agreed to avoid any risk of a return to a hard border in the intervening period.
But we will not accept anything that threatens the constitutional or economic integrity of the United Kingdom.
Creating any form of customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, which is what the EU had proposed, would put that at risk and that it is unacceptable.
As my Rt Hon friend the Prime Minister has said, it is not something she, nor any British Prime Minister, could conceivably agree to.
We are engaging with the EU on our alternative proposals that preserve the integrity of the UK.
They will be in line with the commitments we made back in December, including the commitment that no new regulatory barriers should be created between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK unless the Northern Ireland Executive and the Assembly agree.
On the Future Relationship, we continue to make progress, for example, on both the internal and the external security arrangements for future cooperation, although there is still some way to go.
And as the House will know, the Prime Minister presented our proposals on the economic partnership to EU leaders, at the informal Salzburg Summit.
We understand that the EU has raised some concerns, particularly around the distinction between goods and services under the common rule book and with respect to the Facilitated Customs Arrangement.
We continue to engage constructively with the EU, we continue to press our case.
The UK’s White Paper proposals are the best way of ensuring there is continued frictionless trade in goods after Britain leaves the EU, whilst fulfilling the joint commitment to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and respecting the referendum.
These negotiations, Mr Speaker, were always bound to be tough in the final stretch.
That is all the more reason why we should hold our nerve, stay resolute and focused, and I remain confident that we will reach a deal this autumn.
Because it is still in the best interests of the UK, and the European Union.
It is the best way of protecting trade between Britain and the EU, trade which underpins millions of jobs across Europe.
It is the best way of making sure we continue to cooperate seamlessly on security matters, to tackle crime and terrorism to keep UK and EU citizens safe.
And it is the best way to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland that would adversely affect communities living there, or indeed separating Northern Ireland from Great Britain which we will not countenance.
To achieve these aims, the UK has brought forward serious and credible proposals.
We continue to engage with the EU to press our case, and to better understand the nature of some of their concerns.
Equally, it is time for the EU to match the ambition and pragmatism that we have shown.
No Deal
Mr Speaker, while we intensify negotiations to secure the deal we want,the deal that we expect, we are also expediting preparations for no deal.
In case the EU do not match the ambition and pragmatism we have demonstrated.
As the Prime Minister stated on 21 September after the Salzburg Summit.
The government has made clear we will unilaterally protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK in the event of No Deal.
To the 3 million here, we say: you are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues, we want you to stay.
And we will be setting out all of the details as soon as is practical.
We also now urge the EU and all its member states to step up and give UK citizens on the continent the same reassurances.
Mr Speaker it is time, on both sides, to provide all our citizens with that comfort and with that confidence.
Since I last updated the House in September, we have published 52 more technical notices, in two further batches.
They inform people, businesses and other key stakeholders of the steps they need to take, if we don’t reach a deal with the EU.
They cover a wide range of sectors, building on other work that has taken place across government over the last two years.
They enable us to prepare the UK for Brexit irrespective of the outcome of the negotiations.
They acknowledge that there are risks to a no deal scenario.
But they also demonstrate the steps we will take to avoid, mitigate and manage any potential short-term risks and disruption.
Overall now we have published 77 technical notices which form part of the sensible, proportionate, measures that we are taking to prepare the country for every eventuality.
Mr Speaker our most recent batch of technical notices were published on the 24th of September they are set out in a written Ministerial statement today.
There are 24 and they range from aviation, and the advice for airlines on the impact of ‘no deal’ and the actions for them to consider to maintain services on the day we leave the EU, through to car insurance, and the arrangements to ensure Green Cards will be available free of charge from insurance companies to enable UK drivers to continue to drive on the continent.
The publication of the technical notices enables further engagement as part of our No Deal planning.
So for example, our earlier technical notice on VAT set out the VAT changes that companies will need to prepare for when importing or exporting goods from the EU, when supplying services to the EU, or interacting with EU VAT IT systems.
That one was welcomed by the British Chamber of Commerce, and we are grateful to them and to all of our stakeholders for their constructive ongoing engagement on that necessary planning.
More broadly, I met with the British Chamber of Commerce, the CBI, the IoD, EEF and the Federation of Small Businesses as part of the government’s Business Advisory Group on the 17th of September, to make sure we are explaining our negotiating proposals and No Deal planning, and listening to UK businesses of all sizes, and across all sectors.
We will keep providing people and businesses with the advice they need as we negotiate our exit from the European Union.
We also keep working with the devolved administrations on all aspects of our planning for exit.
I attended the joint ministerial committee on the 13th September.
It has now met 12 times, and our last meeting was a valuable opportunity to give the devolved administrations a full update on the negotiations, as well as discuss the necessary No Deal planning.
We continue to listen very carefully to all of their views.
Mr Speaker, that is the way, with concerted effort on all fronts, that we have put ourselves in the best possible position to make the best of Brexit.
And I commend this statement to the House.
Gillette to Brett V
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| Silent but sensational - a German take on The Hound of the Baskervilles |
Gillette to Brett V, held last weekend on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, IN, was another wonderful symposium in this series devoted to media adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Organizers Steven Doyle and Mark Gagen, of Wessex Press, only do this every three or four years. When they do, they make it count.
More the 120 Sherlockians from the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom gathered to hear eight world-class speakers and view three films. It was a gathering of friends. Rather than trying to summarize the event, I’ll tell you what I learned from each speaker.
Nicholas Utechin: A numbers of actors who don’t look like each other can nevertheless look like the Sidney Paget illustrations of Sherlock Holmes. He showed photos of actors and asked us to vote yes or no – doe he resembles Paget’s Holmes?
Ashley Polasek: Technology helps to determine how scenes are recorded on film, which in turn influences how the story is told. She showed examples from three televised versions of “The Six Napoleons,” and explained the difference in a way that even I understood.
Glen Miranker: Silent movies could be really good, and just as sophisticated as what’s in your neighborhood theater today. He showed the last silent Sherlock Holmes film made, a German version of The Hound of the Baskervilles. The was only the second public U.S. showing of a film lost for decades. And it was wonderful!
Leslie S. Klinger interviewing Robert Doherty:In creating a story season-long story arc for Elementary, the producers focused each season on a different character. Doherty, creator of the show, said his biggest regret was not doing more with Moriarty.
Terence Faherty: The Sherlock Holmes radio programs featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce fixed them in the public mind as Holmes and Watson more than the films.
Charles Prepolec: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, who became great friends, appeared in three movies together before they actually met. Cushing was Holmes and Lee was Sir Henry Baskerville in the Hammer Films 1959 version of The Hound, which we saw on the big screen Saturday evening. Cushing later made a second version of The Hound.
David Stuart Davies: Jeremy Brett was a kind man who completed a phone interview with Davies even though he was quite ill. “Don’t worry about me!” he said cheerfully in an excerpt we heard. A year later he was dead. During the short interview, Brett said he wished he could have remade The Hound (like Cushing) and done better with is.
Jeffrey Hatcher: The author of the Mr. Holmes screenplay and the Holmes & Watson stage play is a very, very funny man.
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