Front Page Headlines
Lute returns, the standstill remains
The report on the good offices of the UN Secretary-General and the Terms of Reference on the agenda. Importance attached to the April 12 meeting on the international aspect (of the Cyprob). Ankara’s stance after the elections is an unknown factor.
- Missing persons: Ultimate attempt
- Erdogan lost Ankara and Istanbul – Losses for AKP after 25 years. Not yet known how the Turkish President will deal with the result.
They fear continuation of tension
Continuation of provocations by Erdogan after the elections slap. AKP does not accept defeat in Istanbul and Ankara.
- They are expecting a call from Jane Holl Lute
- Full of spy (planes) west of Cyprus – NOTAMs by the Republic of Cyprus on NATO and Russian exercises
- A white lily and a wreath of gratitude to the heroes – Awe and pride at the Imprisoned Graves
(Government) Throwing in scenario of second memorandum
Fiscal impact to the tune of €3 billion to €5 billion. It is estimated that 70,269 persons are affected. The appeal is a given, its success is a question mark.
- The two leaders in contact with Lute ahead of her visit to Cyprus
- Erdogan lost the big municipalities but his party retains high percentages
Another hurdle for homeowners
Auditor-general: state should not compensate owners of crumbling Limnes homes
- Service and Marches for April 1
- Erdogan suffers major setback in local elections
President, what will you say tomorrow, Wednesday, at the PASYDY (civil servants’ union) conference?
On the “bomb under the foundations of the economy” that justice threw by vindicating civil servants on their pay cuts. President Anastasiades’ speech tomorrow at the 56th Conference of PASYDY’s Representatives is greatly anticipated. Will he express his positions on the issue of civil servants vindicated over their pay cuts and pensions before the PASYDY leaders or will he evade the matter so as not to stir reactions? What is the position of (PASYDY chairman) Glafkos Hadjipetrou who has been silent so far?
- Anastasiades: In contact with Lute again
- Cyprus honoured the heroic struggle of EOKA with events
- The challenge turned into a nightmare! – Tayyip Erdogan’s debacle in Sunday’s municipal elections. The Turkish president’s party lost the big Municipalities of Ankara, Izmir, Istanbul and Antalya.
Main News
Leaders to talk with Lute over the phone
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The two leaders were expected to each have a telephone contact with UN envoy Jane Holl Lute at the beginning of this week, although there is still uncertainty as to her next moves.
President Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday after an event in Nicosia to mark the 64th anniversary of the EOKA struggle he would contact Lute by Tuesday at the latest, expressing hope she would visit the island within the next ten days.
Asked when Lute might come back to Cyprus, he said he had a telephone conversation with her recently and would contact her again for some final adjustments that are needed.
On Lute’s contacts with the guarantor powers and the possibility of her presenting any sort of blueprint, Anastasiades said he did not have any information that she intended to present anything to the two sides in Cyprus.
Anastasiades also responded to a question about the appointment of the GC negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis as Cyprus’ permanent representative to the UN in New York. He said Mavroyiannis is an experienced diplomat who had served in the same position in the past and had extensive contacts within the UN.
Perhaps his presence there at this time is required more than ever, without him ceasing to be the negotiator, he said, adding it may prove to be something positive.
Lute will meet with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos on Friday in the US. The Greek FM told reporters in New York at the weekend that it was up to Lute when she would next visit the region. He reiterated that Greece remains firm in the need to have a resolution to the Cyprus problem that will be based on UN decisions and international law. Greece and Turkey, he said, have agreed that they would have an exchange of views on the international aspects of the Cyprus issue in Athens on April 12 and hoped this could lead to results that could spark a new round of talks.
Phileleftheros reports that Lute’s new round of contacts within the next 10 days is a sign of some mobility on the Cyprus problem but it remains unknown whether there will be any continuation as the way the UN envoy operates does not allow for long-term predictions. Nicosia awaits Lute’s visit to assess the outcome of her efforts and whether the new round of contacts has to do with her upcoming report to the UN Security Council, as well as whether there is any prospect for progress on the preparation of the Terms of Reference (ToR).
Both leaders stated that they were expecting to talk on the telephone with her, Phileleftheros reports, adding that the calls were to take place either on Monday or Tuesday.
According to Politis, the standstill on drafting the ToR seems to remain despite Lute’s anticipated arrival. The differences between the GC and TC sides also remain, the daily said, while the UN seeks a way for the effective continuation of Lute’s mission.
Lute’s meeting with Katrougalos in the US has its own importance as it will take place a few days before the latter meets with his Turkish counterpart, Politis said, adding that the Greece-Turkey meeting seems to be the most important element in this process since the international aspect is a key factor in the preparation of the ToR. Unless Turkey is willing to shift from its hard line on the international aspects of the Cyprob, it will be difficult for progress to be achieved on the ToR, it said.
Government sources told the paper that a positive development would be for Turkey to give the green light for the resumption of talks and for progress to be achieved in the dialogue between Lute and the GC and TC sides.
The daily also said TC leader Mustafa Akinci tried to bring back fear over a possible dead end in the Cyprus problem through his recent statements. Politis reported that Akinci tried to highlight that the difference of opinion between the two sides gives the impression that even if a dialogue begins it will not be easy to reach a substantive conclusion.
The TC leader, the paper said, referred to the debate on the July 4 minutes and accused Anastasiades of going back on convergences on TC political equality and effective participation in decision making.
The TC side seems determined to use the renewal of the UNFICYP mandate in July to put pressure on the GCs both on energy issues and political equality, Politis said.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Mavroyiannis is an experienced diplomat with extensive contacts within the UN. His presence at the UN at this time is required more than ever as it may prove to be something positive.
Katrougalos
>> Greece remains firm in the need to have a resolution to the Cyprob based on UN decisions and international law.
>> Hopes the dialogue with Turkey on the international aspects of the Cyprob would lead to results that could spark a new round of talks.
CMP campaign aims to collect info on missing
Politis
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in is contact with a Nicosia advertising agency for the launch of the biggest campaign ever made as an ultimate effort to encourage people to step up and offer information that could help locate missing persons.
Citing sources, Politis reports that the campaign will cover both the free and occupied areas but also London areas where members of the Cypriot diaspora live and will include television and radio spots, posters and announcements in newspapers.
The campaign, to be launched in May, is on a voluntary basis therefore the CMP has already appealed to GC and TC media asking for their help.
People involved in the production of the material told Politis the approach is such as to appeal to those who possess information on the fate of persons that went missing in the events of the 1960’s and 1970’s and convince them to step up and talk.
The campaign is linked with the fact that CMP excavations gradually yield fewer results, while living eyewitnesses are getting fewer, the daily said.
After a similar campaign by the CMP last year, the Committee received some credible information concerning some cases. The CMP is expected to publish within the coming weeks
Homage to the EOKA struggle
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Church services and other events took place on Monday to mark the 64th anniversary of the April 1 start of the 1955 to 1959 EOKA struggle against British colonial rule.
President Nicos Anastasiades attended the main church service held at Saint John’s cathedral in Nicosia that was led by Archbishop Chrysostomos.
Anastasiades said after the church service that April 1 was a day to pay respect to those who lost their lives for freedom and to Cypriot Hellenism that struggled in unity for its independence and freedom.
A reflection on the course followed since then that led to a semi-occupied homeland with open wounds is imperative, he said.
That focus ought to be on how to finally reciprocate “the sacrifice of those who have granted us our freedom,” he added.
Later on, a prayer was delivered at the Imprisoned Graves within the central prisons and wreaths were laid on the graves of those who died during the 1955- 1959 struggle.
In each town the government was represented by cabinet ministers and other senior officials to mark the occasion.
Torchbearers from the Limassol reservist commandos’ association carried a flame from Chlorakas, where EOKA leader Georgios Grivas first landed on the island, and placed it at the monument. In Larnaca, celebrations began with bells ringing in all churches of the town and with the hoisting of the flag at the Eleftheria Statue Square. Events were also held in Paphos.
Phileleftheros and Cyprus Mail also reported that the EOKA Fighters Association called on the political parties to establish unity with the aim of the salvation of Cyprus and the creation of a normal state.
The national issue, the group said, is the link that ought to connect everyone in a unified whole to avert the plans of the enemies and claim a just and viable solution based on UN and EU principles, the withdrawal of occupation troops and settlers, the return of all refugees to their homes, and an independent Cyprus free of guarantees and foreign policing.
It also said that Turkey boldly claims that the barbaric invasion was a peaceful one and in line with the Treaty of Guarantee, and, unfortunately, this has not be refuted yet while some even agree with that. The Treaty of Guarantee, they said, provides for the restoration of constitutional order while what Turkey did was in fact a violation of constitutional order. This is what Cyprus ought to constantly report (internationally), they said.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> It is important to reflect on the course followed since independence that led to a semi-occupied homeland with open wounds, but also on how to reciprocate the sacrifice of those who granted the island its freedom.
Spy aircraft hover over Cyprus
Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
The daily reports that Turkish, American and Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew on Sunday west and southwest of Cyprus and within the Nicosia FIR (Flight Information Region).
This shows there is a particular activity in the area, at the same time when the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, has anchored at Limassol port while other warships are at the port of Larnaca, it said.
The paper reported that on Sunday and Monday afternoon a Turkish spy aircraft type AWACS flew at low altitude, around 30 nautical miles off the west and southwest coast of Cyprus, while the US spy vessel Boeing Ρ8-Α Poseidon was flying, also on Sunday afternoon, southwest of the island. With the arrival of the American aircraft in the area, the Turkish one moved to the west, it said, while at the same time an Israeli spy aircraft, a Gulfstream G500, was also in the area but at a much higher altitude. These types of Israeli aircraft fly almost daily between Cyprus and Israel, Phileleftheros reported.
Other US spy aircraft were recorded hovering off Cyprus on Thursday and Friday, among them a Boeing RC 135V that was doing circles west of the Eratosthenes seamount, while a French war aircraft was also in the area last week upon the arrival of the Charles de Gaulle at the Limassol port.
The daily also reported that a NATO exercise is to take place on Tuesday in the east and southeast of Cyprus off the Famagusta Bay and Cape Greco. The area in question has usually been engaged by the Russian Navy for exercises in recent years, it said. In the same area, the Russian air force and navy will also carry out exercises from Wednesday up to April 25, Phileleftheros reports, adding that the Republic of Cyprus has issued relevant NOTAMS.
What’s particularly interesting is that at the end of last week, an Α400-Μ type aircraft landed at the illegal airport of occupied Tymbou which is believed to have transported to Cyprus sensitive equipment for the reinforcement of the occupation forces, it said.
Nicosia holds breath in aftermath of Turkish elections
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, External Security, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
All papers covered the results of the municipal elections in Turkey.
Phileleftheros said that the powerful slap given to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from the loss of the municipalities of Istanbul and Ankara but also the refusal of the ruling party to accept defeat in those two cities, creates a dangerous political cocktail that could affect the entire region.
Nicosia, the daily said, monitors developments and avoids any comments, waiting for the air to clear and for Erdogan’s real intentions to be revealed. What Nicosia receives as the message from various sides is that the negative election result will make Erdogan an even bigger hardliner and this is expected to affect not only Turkey but also Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.
The continuation of the tension is believed to be one of the consequences of the elections and which could overturn hope that after the elections there would be a change and things would tone down.
President Anastasiades refrained from commenting on the election results and whether this would impact Turkish policy in general, simply saying that the results could also be a cause to avoid policies whose rhetoric, in essence, constituted a threat for the whole region, Phileleftheros reported.
He also said that after each election period there is a rearrangement of thoughts and reflection.
Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said despite the fact despite the elections have nothing to do with the Cyprus problem, it is worrying how Turkey handles things.
He recalled, according to Phileleftheros, that Turkey postponed for six months talks on the Cyprus problem giving the municipal elections as an excuse.
Politis said the day after the elections finds Turkey numb as no one dares to predict Erdogan’s next moves. Some hope has been sparked among opposition but there is no triumphant climate, it said.
Political analysts told the paper the economy has played an important role in the big cities where the young supporters of ruling AKP tried to send a message for streamlining and change.
According to Alithia, the elections turned into a nightmare for Erdogan after losing the battle in the big municipalities of Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir which traditionally belonged to the ruling party. Analysts also said that Erdogan is the biggest loser of these elections at the party but also personal level.
Alithia said the hard nationalist stance he and AKP members had adopted with daily war threats against the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Syria failed as well as the race to win impressions with promises of Turkish hydrocarbon drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. His party and Erdogan personally paid the price of the profound economic crisis and the government’s inability to improve the situation, the paper said,
According to Haravgi, Erdogan and his party suffered a symbolic defeat since they kept their percentage but lost big municipalities.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Hopes the election results in Turkey would lead to the avoidance of policies that so far have been voiced as a threat against the region.
Prodromou
>> The elections have nothing to do with the Cyprob but it is worrying how Turkey handles things.