Front Page Headlines
They link Article 23 with Harris’ (Georgiades) resignation
Opposition intensifies pressure ahead of the (party) leaders’ meeting. They are willing to at least be briefed on the need to amend the Constitution. Opposition prepares a resolution calling for the resignation of the finance minister.
- (Euro-election voting) Right to 80,800 TCs
- The church bell was found
- Parliament: ELAM gets defensive
- Turkey: US pressure on the S-400 tightens
Flagrant pressure on Lute
Akinci and Ozersay are calling for an end to efforts on the Cyprob. Political equality is non-negotiable for the Turkish side.
- (Turkish FM) Cavusoglu – (US Secretary of State) Pompeo meeting on the Russian missiles floundered
They are lying again on the Cooperative Bank
Mockery by DISY on the (investigation) committee (on the demise of the Co-op). Andros (Kyprianou) to Averof (Neophytou): “You are a slanderer…”. All parties except DISY are preparing a resolution.
- Disagreements and different approaches on foreign policy and the Cyprob
Blame game at the House over Co-op
DISY’s Neophytou clashes with AKEL’s Kyprianou as accusations fly over Co-op, Laiki
There’s no time like the present
The government is walking on hot coals after the vindication of the civil servants. It is preparing measures to avoid possible negative developments. Appeals will be filed within the coming days against three decisions of the Administrative Court on the constitutionality of legislation on the reduction of civil servants’ pay and a speedy trial will be requested. The Leaders’ Council convenes on Monday for exchange of views.
- AKEL-government: They continue to disagree
- Ozersay to Lute: “Put an end to the federation”
Main News
Ozersay wants Lute to call it a day
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The papers report on the call by ‘Foreign Minister’ Kudret Ozersay to UN envoy Jane Holl Lute during a conference in the north to openly say there is no common ground between the two sides.
Ozersay, addressing a conference at the Near East University referring to Lute, said one does not have to be a scientist to see there was no common ground between the two sides within the framework of a federal partnership in Cyprus.
He said one must be bold and that the period of pretending should end now.
Lute should make her assessment based on her observations at the soonest and come out and say them without hiding behind her finger, he said, adding that new ideas were needed and the TC side is already doing this.
He said the GC side did not wish to share power and wealth with the TCs while the two sides perceive differently the terms bizonal, bicommunal federation, political equality and the phrase ‘the status quo cannot continue’.
In Cyprus, experience in a functional federation lasted only three years, he said, adding that the best way was the peaceful coexistence of two separate identities and two separate peoples with their own institutions and states.
Phileleftheros reports that not only Ozersay but also Akinci are openly putting pressure on Lute and that despite the two men moving in different directions, they are both trying to impose their positions on political equality and the type of solution sought.
Basically, they are both asking Lute to put an end to her efforts and place responsibility on the GC side, the daily said.
Akinci, through his advisor Meltem Onurkan Samani, sent out his own message, said the paper. Samani argued that political equality is part of the bicommunal, bizonal federal solution and is not a parameter that can be negotiated. She also said that the GC side backtracked on some agreed issues and this caused concerns not only to the TC side but also third countries.
The UN Secretary-General is doing a last assessment and assigned Lute the task to probe whether the two sides agree on the Terms of Reference and basic parameters, and if there is willingness, Samani said, according to Phileleftheros.
Haravgi reports that Samani replied to President Nicos Anastasiades’ statements on political equality. She said that political equality has been recognised in the UN parameters and the two communities should participate effectively in mechanisms of political decision-making.
Alithia and Phileleftheros report that Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Basceri said in an interview with Anadolu News Agency that Turkey is not against a federal solution in Cyprus but is open to alternatives.
He said Turkey had done more than its share both on the issue of the Annan plan in 2004 and in Crans Montana where constructive ideas brought to the table were from the Turkish side.
Therefore, he said, talks cannot pick up from where they left off in 2017, adding that all other methods that have been tried during the past 50 years were unsuccessful.
There is no point of having talks for the sake of it, he said, and from now on it must be stated what the objective of future talks is and how the two sides perceive the main terms.
According to Alithia, Ozersay, challenged Lute encouraged by the Turkish ‘ambassador’ to the north. In a move of political coordination, Ankara and her man in the occupied areas, Kudret Ozersay, sent yesterday the message to Lute that they will not accept a procedure on the Cyprus problem solely based on federation, the paper said, adding that Ozersay called on Lute to put an end to (talks on) the federal solution.
KEY ACTORS
Ozersay
>> No common ground between the two sides within the framework of a federal partnership in Cyprus. Lute should clearly say that.
>> New ideas on the Cyprob are needed.
>> The two sides perceive differently the terms bizonal, bicommunal federation, political equality and the phrase that ‘the status quo cannot continue’.
>> A functional federation lasted only three years in Cyprus.
>> Peaceful coexistence can be achieved by two separate states.
Samani
>> Political equality is part of the bicommunal, bizonal federal solution and is non-negotiable. Both communities should participate effectively in mechanisms of political decision-making.
Basceri
>> Turkey open to all options.
>> Talks cannot pick up from where they left off in 2017. A target must be set for future talks and it must be made clear how the two sides perceive the main terms.
AKEL and government agreed to disagree
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides and AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou agreed on Thursday on the difference of opinion between the government and the main opposition party on issues concerning the Cyprus problem, but gave reassurances they would continue the dialogue.
Christodoulides met Kyprianou at the offices of AKEL where they discussed foreign policy and the Cyprus problem.
After their meeting Kyprianou said there is a difference of opinion as to the functionality of the solution and that the government misinterprets political equality.
Kyprianou said AKEL disagrees with the way Anastasiades interprets political equality.
We insist that there are convergences that are reassuring about these issues and the answers given by the government on how they perceive the issue of political equality justifiably causes reactions, he said.
If Anastasiades believes that the TC community will accept being viewed as a minority and that because we are a majority, we will decide on all the issues, then we will have a serious problem, Kyprianou added, adding that the TCs will never accept this.
He said an agreement had been reached between former leaders Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat concerning decision-making at Cabinet level, but Anastasiades today attempts to give another interpretation on this issue and therefore there is a deviation from the convergence achieved in the past. He also made clear that AKEL never accepted numerical equality.
Christodoulides, according to Alithia, said that it is a fact there has been a different interpretation of some facts on some matters. He stressed the need for all issues on which there is disagreement or different approaches to be discussed so that consensus is achieved to lead to a functional solution.
He said there has not been a convergence on all issues concerning the executive due to the position of the TCs on a positive vote on all matters.
If there is a common goal, however, on achieving a functional solution, then, I believe, the right solutions will be found through the talks, he said.
Christodoulides added there might be news on a joint meeting between the two leaders and Lute after her meeting with them on Sunday.
On the issue of Andreas Mavroyiannis, who is currently the negotiator but also assumes duties as Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Christodoulides said that indeed the negotiator cannot exercise other public service duties according to the law but that a bill has been prepared to amend the law in question. Mavroyiannis’ transfer to New York does not affect efforts for the resumption of the talks, he said.
As regards Cyprus’ regional alliances, Kyprianou said there are different approaches and different readings. He said that the positions expressed by the government, mainly through Government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou, reveal great difference of opinion.
In another article, Haravgi reported that AKEL, in response to Anastasiades’ question earlier in the week on whether the constitution of any other country grants the right to one constituent state to decide on the fate of the entire country, said there are plenty of examples.
The party gave as an example the EU, arguing that Cyprus constitutes 0.16% of the bloc’s population while Germany accounts for 16%, but Cyprus has one seat in the European Parliament per 125,000 citizens while Germany has one seat per 854,000 residents. At the European Council, it said, there is equal participation and main decision making is made either by unanimity or by qualified majority.
Anastasiades’ insistence on presenting a skewed image as regards TC effective participation sends the wrong messages and confirms the worst TC fears that he does not accept political equality, said the party, according to Haravgi.
KEY ACTORS
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> AKEL disagrees with the way Anastasiades interprets political equality. Anastasiades has deviated from the Christofias-Talat agreement on decision-making at Cabinet level causing tension.
>> TCs will never accept Anastasiades’ view that they are a minority and that GCs, as the majority, would decide on all issues.
>> AKEL never accepted numerical equality.
>> There are different approaches and different readings between AKEL and the government on Cyprus’ regional alliances.
Christodoulides
>> There has been a different interpretation of some facts on some issues and that is why a dialogue is important to reach an agreement on these matters to achieve a functional solution.
>> There has not been a convergence on all issues concerning the executive due to the position of the TCs on a positive vote on all matters.
>> The negotiator cannot exercise other public service duties according to the law, but the government has prepared a bill to amend the law in question.
>> The GC negotiator’s transfer to New York does not affect efforts for the resumption of the talks.
AKEL
>> The distorted image Anastasiades presents as regards TC effective participation confirms the worst TC fears that he does not accept political equality.
ELAM under fire in plenum over draft dodging, links with neo-Nazi NPD and the underworld
Politis
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Far-right ELAM, which has been put on the spot for several months by Politis and other political parties over draft dodging by some of its members and also links to the underworld and with a neo-Nazi party in Germany, defended itself on the first matter but refrained from responding to other accusations, the daily reported.
During the discussion on the findings of the investigation committee on the demise of the Co-op bank on Thursday by the House plenum, ELAM leader Christos Christou was grilled by the leaders of the other parties over various accusations against his party and some of its members.
DIKO head Nicolas Papadopoulos asked Christou if reports of ELAM having financial links with the German neo-Nazi party NPD and of some ELAM members having links with organised crime were true. He also referred to Christou’s draft dodging, echoed by EDEK leader Marinos Sizopoulos.
Christou referred to health problems that did not allow him to do his military service, prompting Sizopoulos to ask how then he was able to carry out his duties in the past as guard of the leader of the Greek Golden Dawn party.
ELAM, Politis said, has yet to respond to questions concerning links with the NPD and connections of some of its members with organised crime.
GC Head of Technical Committee on Education explains new initiative
Phileleftheros
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The GC head of the Technical Committee on Education, Michalinos Zembylas, featured in Phileleftheros’ segment “Five minutes with…” where he answered questions on the ‘Imagine’ programme and the latest initiative of the committee on bicommunal study visits for pupils.
Zembylas said that the pilot phase of the technical committee’s new project, that concerns study visits of pupils from both sides of the divide has been launched. The first event concerned the participation of 52 GC and TC pupils aged between 14 and 15, in a walk around Nicosia within the walls to explore elements of the multicultural character of the city.
The aim of the project, which has primarily pedagogical goals and content, is to bring together pupils from both sides to study the cultural heritage and the natural environment of the island.
He added that the Committee is constantly looking into new ideas that will bring together pupils and educators and create opportunities to promote peace, anti-racism and human rights through education.
As to the bicommunal programme ‘Imagine’, he said it has exceeded expectations as so far around 3,500 pupils from both communities have participated.
Prodromou: No irregularities in the interim appointment of the GC member to the CMP
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The appointment of Nicos Theodosiou as interim representative of the GC side to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) is not contrary to the mandate of the Committee, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said.
Prodromou said that Haravgi’s report on Thursday was not accurate. The daily had said that according to the CMP mandate, persons directly involved with issues of missing persons cannot be appointed to the Committee.
There are no restrictions in the CMP’s mandate concerning the representative, Prodromou said, adding that the restriction mentioned by Haravgi concerns the associates of the representative. The government is aware of that provision, he said.
Prodromou said the government deals with the issue of the missing persons with the due seriousness and responsibility.
An opinion piece in Politis said that the government, with Theodosiou’s appointment, put an end to the four-year violation of the CMP’s mandate by the GC side, since the newly-appointed representative, who is a brother of a missing person, had been working as an associate at the office of the GC representative of the CMP since 2015.
KEY ACTORS
Prodromou
>> Nicos Theodosiou’s as interim representative of the GC side to the CMP is not contrary to the mandate of the Committee.
>> The government is aware of the restriction (stating that persons directly involved with issues of missing persons cannot be appointed to the CMP) which concerns associates.