During these difficult times we have a new ally, which seems that it has waken up to the unprecedented challenges of the Cypriot economy.

It appears that this Government (as well as the previous ones) are hard to listen to people’s problems or/and even when they do, it has difficulties to implement even agreed measures to be taken. There are so many things going on in Cyprus, that it is humanly impossible for the President and the ministers to hear, but also to have the time to do something about it. The various general directors of the ministries, by custom, have been reduced to glorified secretaries by the ministers and for the ministers (their fault) to take over the numerous meeting and decisions. But we ask you, how can a minister have the time to attend the political party meetings, the various never ending weekend funerals and occasions, the party members who want something and all the remaining groups who want a meeting with the minister? How can one person at the end of the day have the time to listen and more importantly to understand and even more important to have the time to study and so something about it? The moment that the ministry’s general directors (under secretaries) are ignored (have you ever been at a meeting with a minister with the general director present?) it is humanly impossible for him to perform. Being very friendly with an ex-Minister of the Interior, we asked him “how can you manage all these and to have the time to look at “this and that” we have sent you”? The answer was “I have time and it is in my “genes” and I can manage with no problem!! I have added (A.L.) “we are the same age and I almost cannot cope with my 60 staff people”. So you do appreciate the situation. Yes the goodwill is there, but lack of time is the major devil in these cases. The public realizing this, has turned its attention to the House and to the relevant House committees. A bad move, but what else to do? Not a good solution, since when one ends up at the House, he is faced with the small politics of the parties. Even if you go down this route, you will be shocked by various matters. Suddenly the Government and the under secretaries are there, but a good proposal might end up in the rubbish bin, because the small politics will not allow it.

If one is to weight the pluses and minuses, the House is your best bet, but as a last resort. So that you know, appeal to the chairman of the relevant committee, but at the same time, put forward your views to the relevant political parties as well. Coming for over 32 years experience, we suggest that you follow some of the basic rules which are human nature/P.R. rather than anything else.

• Apply to the chairman of the relevant committee submitting your thoughts in writing.

• Contact and meet the chairman members of that committee pushing and insisting for them to hear your thoughts.

• If you have the contacts try to meet the chairman of the relevant party making sure that the members of that committee of this party attend.

• Keep copies and forward them to the relevant Ministry (it will keep it awake!!).

• Using your local MPS push and push to have your thoughts to be listened to and be discussed at the House (this is the way forward).

• Once you are invited at the House Committee keep calm and be most polite notwithstanding the fact that first of all MPS will be most abusive at times. Keep repeating that this was a job of the Ministry and of course thanks to the House you have hope, projecting that what they are doing is for the public benefit.

• Do not be drawn into a discussion by the MPS who want to exploit your stand for their own small politics. Do not downgrade those that disagree with you, but you can say “we have a difference of opinion unfortunately”.

• Do not try to have your thoughts as an individual and expect to be heard. Organize yourselves into a group so that you can appear that you represent a group of people (votes-votes!!!).

• Try to publish your efforts and thoughts in the local press. It helps, but, care, do not be offensive even if you are right.

• Do not blackmail the House members in the sense that “if you do not do this we will report the matter to the E.U.”. Human nature being what it is you will create enemies.

• Try not to place one Ministry against another. You can say that “we are very happy with X Ministry, but we thought that your Ministry can assist”.

• Being a conservative country dress properly. Cypriots with sportswear and untidy hair (what can we say this is the fact of life) are not looked upon with a “lending ear”.

• Print your papers for submission in the Greek language (many MPS either do not understand English or not to the extent that you want them).

• Cover your “rear”. Are you O.K. and consistant in your own actions? Be sure that the opposing side will bring it up if you have done something “wrong”.

• At the end of the day, after the House meeting, send a thank you letter to all members, how much (if this is possible) you appreciate their invitation and how understanding the members were and that you have “hope”.

• Etc etc

At the end of the day this is another stage to air your views, but it is the last one. Do not spoil it.

This Government has complained that the House is becoming the Government. We cannot disagree, but on the other hand the circumstances described before have lead groups of people to come to this. Having said that, do not think that once you follow this route your thoughts will be adopted. Far from it and unless you do have support before the hearing with the relevant committee you might find that not only your thoughts are not accepted, but the House might vote for worse...

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