We will acquire armoured vehicles, the Leopard 1A5, which, as we were told, represent the latest major upgraded version of Germany’s Leopard 1 main battle tank family, introduced in the mid-1980s. They feature an upgraded Krupp-Atlas Elektronik EMES 18 fire-control system, improved optics, and a redesigned turret to address modern threats, placing emphasis on high mobility and firepower rather than heavy armour.
This tank is equipped with a reliable 105mm L7A3 gun, with a fire-control system comparable to the early versions of the Leopard 2. The vehicle prioritises mobility over protection, with a welded turret that improves ammunition storage and allows for additional armour upgrades.
However, in general terms, the tank is considered outdated for frontline offensive operations, but it remains particularly useful as a “mobile marksman” and fire support platform in modern conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine. Why is it not suitable for the front line? Because it has very thin armour of around 70mm, which is insufficient against modern anti-tank missiles or 125mm tank shells such as those used by T-72 and T-80 tanks. It is also highly vulnerable to drones and loitering munitions, which has further limited its offensive use.
In simple terms, the tank is not being acquired from Greece to “take Constantinople”, but as an interim reinforcement, since the Russian T-80s will be phased out due to a lack of spare parts, and until Israeli Merkava Mark III tanks arrive. These, however, due to their bulk and slow mobility, are not the most ideal either. If we had to choose the most suitable tanks, perhaps we should have stayed with Leopards, but in the upgraded Leopard 2 version.
Mistruths in the Sandy case?
The former judge, Michalis Christodoulou, in his statement to the Police, said that he met “Sandy” in 2020 after she contacted him via SMS, and that he met her three times: in his office, in a park, and in an apartment. Let us accept his testimony as entirely accurate, in order to raise some substantive questions:
- Within three meetings, how is it possible that “Sandy” developed the feelings of love and hatred reflected in the allegedly forged messages that were leaked?
- When did she manage to acquire so much knowledge about the judge in order to fabricate 400 fictional SMS messages to damage him?
- Within three meetings, during which the judge reportedly tried to help her with personal issues, how did “Sandy” learn about the Greek deputy minister Mylonakis and our own Papadakis and Morfakis, about Nathanail, the Rosicrucians, and come up with claims about a para-judicial network?
Two possibilities exist: either the judge did not tell us everything, or “Sandy” has an accomplice who is manipulating her in order to target individuals and institutions.
Let us also look at some other contradictions regarding the SandyGate case:
Sandy accuses the alleged father of her child of refusing to take responsibility. The court asks him to take a paternity test, and he refuses. Instead of being imprisoned for contempt, the Supreme Court concludes that “because he refuses”, he is the father of the child.
In the group of judges there is also the alleged Rosicrucian judge. Then we have Papadakis, who initially appears voluntarily to the Police and provides his phone number. He even brings in an expert to say nothing was found. Later, he submits three additional phone numbers. Why did he not submit them from the beginning?
We also have the judge’s daughter, who on her second Twitter account accuses Drousiotis. Then, three days later on 14 April, she calls those who illegally entered Nikos Klerides’ house “intruders”. On 16 April, she is admitted to a psychiatric hospital at her father’s initiative, following a violent argument.
Rosicrucians furious with Christodoulides
The leadership of the Rosicrucians is furious with President Christodoulides’ decision to involve the FBI in the investigation of the Santi case. Why? Because it is an agency which, if it decides to do its job properly, has proven — together with the technology it possesses — that it can work wonders.
When Nikos Christodoulides was asked by Rosicrucian friends “why?”, he replied: “I owe nothing to anyone.” In the same spirit, the First Lady at an unexpected moment had said something similar, though more pointed: “We owe nothing to the corrupt.”
DISY racing in elections
Within DISY, polls by district regarding the party’s candidates are in full swing. Who is leading, who is behind, and most importantly who will not make it? Nicosia can, at best, elect four MPs, and based on polling data we more or less know who will get in. In Limassol things are unclear, in Larnaca the party leader is certain to be elected, while in Famagusta and Paphos there is a close race between several worthy candidates.
Shock logic in Cyprus problem
Maria Angela Holguín had two meetings last week with António Guterres in New York, where she is currently located. She first saw him on Wednesday, and again yesterday, Saturday, as part of preparations for an initiative on the Cyprus issue in July, as recently revealed by Tufan Erhürman in Antalya, following his meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Rosemary DiCarlo.
In Cyprus, the two leaders do not speak of a new plan, but of continuing the existing initiative. On the other hand, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his recent visit to Turkey, discussed the matter with Erdoğan and, as we hear, received assurances that Turkey is ready for another attempt.
There are two plans, which over time could be complementary. First, a discussion and conclusion of a strategic agreement similar to that signed by Anastasiades and Eroğlu in 2014, reaffirming a federal solution but giving clear directions on implementation. The second involves submitting a ready-made settlement plan providing for a loose, staged federation.
The Secretary-General appears to lean towards the first, more conservative plan, while Maria Angela Holguín, who believes in a “shock logic” in a society that has become complacent, proposes the second. What do you think?
Cypriot in US Naval Academy
Leonidas Riginos is the young Cypriot who has been accepted into US military academies. He had two options: the Naval Academy in Annapolis and West Point. He ultimately chose the Naval Academy rather than the oldest US military academy, located in the state of New York.
The Naval Academy, also with a long history, was founded in 1845 and is located in Maryland. Leonidas, who is currently in his final year of high school, will begin his studies this coming autumn.
From Cabinet to School
Ultimately, will the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, become a teacher? In a letter to the Educational Service Commission, she has accepted an appointment in secondary education starting this September. Why did she do this? Because no one knows what will happen after the July reshuffle. If she survives that reshuffle too — which is rather unlikely after the fires and the foot-and-mouth disease — then she could easily refuse the appointment and be permanently removed from the lists of appointees.
If she is reshuffled out, then from next September we may see her teaching Homer and Byzantine History in a public school, either in Larnaca if she wishes to return to her home area, or in Nicosia.