TRNC Prime Minister Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer Insults Foreign Buyers
Written by VICTORIA SLOSS
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Northern Cypriot Prime Minister Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer Insults Foreign Property Purchasers
The Rambler
TRNC Prime Minister Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer Insults Foreign Buyers
As a member of the HBPG, I take great exception to the statement made by Mr Soyer, (as reported in Cyprus Today 18 May 2007, pg 14 under the heading Unfolding PR Disaster) that the programs on British TV highlighting the problems suffered by homebuyers in the TRNC are Greek Cypriot inspired and are therefore somehow, not true.
Some of the people whose plights were featured on these TV programs are members of the HBPG and are staunch supporters of the fight for the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and State to be recognised, they just ran out of avenues to be heard by the TRNC authorities, so took matters into their own hands. Indeed, most of those who have chosen to settle here, including the members of the HBPG have always been active in this respect. The HBPG has tried valiantly to encourage its members to lobby the government for change instead of taking direct action, but now they too feel the TRNC authorities are just not listening.
The Government is fully aware what is happening to innocent people in the TRNC and indeed caused the problem by not implementing their own laws. The Government was warned many times that there was a time bomb ticking away within the growing number of cheated foreign homebuyers and chose to drag its feet and this includes Mr Soyer as he was told personally. What did the authorities think would happen if they did not take action?
Now Mr Soyer is trying to muddy the water by suggesting these programs were Greek Cypriot inspired, what’s next Mr Soyer are you going to accuse the HBPG of being Greek Cypriot agents? Your assertion/assumption is an insult.
I note with a smile on my face and anger in my heart, that the building sector has had a meeting, which Mr Soyer and Mr Murat attended where they talked about how much money (our money) the building industry had contributed to the economy. From The Observer 18-24 May 2007 – The economic contribution of the building sector to the economy over the three year period from 2003 to 2006 was US$127 million. The PM pointed out that the building sector contributes to many other sectors as well primarily the production and energy sectors, which generates a further US$160 million.
Total US$287million over 3 years that’s approx GB£143.5 million.
Now lets look at what us loyal foreigners have contributed to the economy over the same period.
There are approximately some 10,000 foreigners (government figures) who have settled here, let us assume they bring in annual revenue (from UK pensions) of £10,000 a year. So, 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 x 3 years = £300,000,000. Now lets add on the other contributions we have made to the economy on one of expenses– houses at an average of £80,000 (80,000 x 10,000 = £800,000,000. Cars, at an average price of £10,000 that’s £100,000,000
Total over three years = £300,000,000 + £800,000,000 + £100,000,000 = £1,200,000,000
These figures do not include the contributions we make by buying furniture, paying solicitors or depositing our saving into the local banks.
So, yes the construction industry is an important economic contributor, but pales into insignificance when compared to the contributions being made by a small number of foreigners who then have the temerity to be asked to be treated as equals and be treated fairly.
It is a shame that the government does not have the foresight shown by Cafer Gurcafer that the problems evident in the declining sector were due, in part, by not listening earlier to the buyers and allowing the rogue element to overshadow what should be a booming industry.
The only thing that does not quite gel here is the figures. Why do our simple figures differ from those recorded against this sector? Is it because – as we have told you Mr Soyer – that many of us paid our stage payments into bank accounts in the UK or mainland Turkey, provided to us by the builders, estate agents or solicitors?
The next question which Turkish Cypriots should be asking is, where has all this money gone, not into the Hospitals not into the schools so where, answer please Mr Soyer?
I had recent cause to write about the trashing of our Human Rights, well here’s one for you, the Turkish Cypriots have the right to demonstrate in London for their Human Rights and they have just demonstrated in Brussels for the same thing - which I fully support and commend them for. However in the TRNC the Government have said we foreigners (as non citizens although we live in this country and are impacted by its non enforcement of laws) cannot demonstrate in the TRNC as it is against the law to do so. Why is this, the one law they are going to enforce?
Mr Soyer if you think by sending the police to a HBPG meeting (which I saw as intimidation), and the threat of police action if we do demonstrate, is going to put us off stating the facts of the matter – you are mistaken. What are you going to do attack us? Imprison us? All I can say is bring it on, after all the protesters are aged between 40 to 70 years of age and are telling the truth, that’s going to look good in the world press!
For some of us, that will be the catalyst to take the TRNC to the Court of Human Rights.
On another theme entirely - since the HBPG started, I have watched one woman work tirelessly for others, sometimes she has had success sometime she is not so lucky. However she keeps soldering on, not once have I heard her try and get her own considerable problems sorted.
Sadly, I know this woman has been threatened by some and has been abused by others mainly the “I’m alright jack” expats brigade, this brave woman is Marion Stokes. Don’t worry Marion, many of us expats are standing right beside you come what may.
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