GCC Press Review 19 Apr 2019

Front Page Headlines

Politis

Arrest of a lieutenant and a 30-year-old for the murder

Impossible to pump one million cubic metres of water from the (mine) galleries. The 33-year-old former partner of the victim may be released today. Based on testimonies and evidence, more arrests are not ruled out.

  • Mobile telephony: Briefing the president
  • Euro-elections: Battle for the sixth seat
  • Ktima Mackenzie: It was not spared from demolition
  • TC property: Attack by AKEL on… beneficiary
  • Dikomo honoured (Demetris) Christofias
  • Turkey: Ekrem Imamoglu brings hope

Phileleftheros

€200m here and now

Public sector unions block every possibility of a new agreement on salaries. Coordinated action by PASYDY, POED, OELMEK, OLTEK (trade unions). Last summer’s agreement up in the air.

  • Digital spies in the government internet network
  • Ozersay was summoned to Ankara on the Cyprob
  • Ambivalent battle for the sixth seat in Brussels
  • Ktima Mackenzie is under demolition
  • Refugee children brought back memories – The Greek Ambassador welled up.

Haravgi

The government is untrustworthy on education

The end of the current school year is approaching but the institutional dialogue on education has not been completed since both timeframes set for its completion within the mixed educational service staff committee framework (MEPEY) have not been kept.  The board of OELMEK (secondary teachers’ union) convenes on May 2 to discuss dynamic measures. Reactions also by students over lack of dialogue on semesters.

  • Refugee smuggling ring in Cyprus – A Turkish national was arrested.
  • (Istanbul Mayor Ekrem) Imamoglu: Peace in Cyprus must be safeguarded – “I wish the war had not happened.”
  • Mincing words on the allotment of TC prime real estate to DISY top brass member
  • They did not read the bill but they are celebrating –DISY does not seem to have read the (US Senators’) Rubio-Menendez bill on US cooperation with Israel, Greece and Cyprus. They (US) seek decline of Russian influence in the wider area and riddance of Russian arms with purchases only from NATO.

Cyprus Mail

Audit boss ‘thinks he’s Robin Hood’

Michaelides spats with the head of the German Oncology Centre over payments.

  • GCs don’t see much hope for solution
  • SOS over collapsing Venetian Wall

Alithia

DISY leads in four polls

Stable lead of the ruling party, ahead of AKEL by a safe difference. (DISY) withstands the nihilistic criticism from the opposition. ELAM continues to lead EDEK in the battle for fourth place and a seat in the European Parliament.

  • Cyprob: The Guterres report through the lens of the TCs
  • Ekrem Imamoglu: Peace in Cyprus must be safeguarded

Main News

Poll: Majority of GCs pessimistic on solution but want to live with TCs

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The European Parliament elections featured prominently in most papers on Friday citing the results of a poll commissioned by state broadcaster CyBC that included a survey on how GCs feel about the Cyprus problem, announced on Thursday evening.

According to the poll, ruling DISY is expected to be the winner of the European Parliament elections with 18.5 per cent, followed by AKEL with 14 per cent, and DIKO with nine per cent.

EDEK and far right ELAM come fourth with four per cent each. The Greens are expected to gather three per cent of the votes, while newly-established DIPA, one per cent. Sener Levent’s Jasmine and the Animal Party are to receive 0.5 per cent each. The majority of respondents, 57 per cent, irrespective of party preference, said they expected DISY to win. It is based on the response by 1,402 people between April 4 and 14.

Politis reports that only 63 per cent of respondents intend on voting, while 16 per cent have not decided yet and 15.5 per cent of respondent said they would abstain.

Politis, Phileleftheros and Alithia focused on the battle between socialist EDEK and ELAM on who will get the sixth seat since both are forecast to get the same percentage of votes, with one consideration being that the undecided will end up determining the outcome of the elections.

Alithia’s main headline highlights that DISY has been forecast to lead the elections in four polls so far (CyBC, Sigma TV, Κathimerini and European Parliament); a sign that the harsh criticism against it and the government by the opposition and the political cost of critical decisions taken have not harmed the ruling party.

The Cyprus Mail focused more on the second part of the poll that concerns how GCs view a number of issues. Citing the results of the poll, the paper reported that 88 per cent of GCs believe the Cyprus problem is no closer to being resolved now than it was last year although they would prefer to live together with TCs. Just 8 per cent appear optimistic, the paper said.

A similar poll conducted in November 2017, found that 80 per cent thought Cyprus was no closer to a solution while 14 per cent believed it was. Fifty-six per cent said they would prefer to live together with TCs versus the 39 per cent who did not, which was an improvement compared with the end of 2017 when 53 per cent went for cohabitation against 41 per cent who opposed it, the daily said.

Irrespective of what kind of solution they desired, the majority of respondents, 42 per cent, believed there would not be a change in the status quo, followed by 21 per cent who said partition would end up being the solution, while the option of a bizonal, bicommunal, federation comes in third at only 12 per cent, the same as those with no opinion.

The majority of respondents, 58 per cent, believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, up from 42 per cent in 2017. Only 16 per cent think it’s going in the right direction, a significant drop from 36 per cent in 2017. Thirty-eight per cent feel disappointed with the current situation in Cyprus, 24 per cent expressed concern, and 12 per cent were angry. Only 10 per cent said they had hope and felt optimistic.

As expected, Cyprus Mail said, the majority, 57 per cent, said the island’s division was the most important problem, followed by the economy, 52 per cent. Corruption was a distant third with 18 per cent though inept politicians and absence of meritocracy received 6 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. Unemployment was fourth with 15 per cent. Surprisingly, education and health were lower down as concerns at 2 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.

GCs placed their trust in the USA as the country they could depend the most to bolster their defences, at 25.5 per cent. It was followed by Israel with 21 per cent, Russia, 20, France, 13, Greece, 10, and EU, 9.5. Twenty-five per cent of respondents said they could not depend on anyone. Seventy per cent said trilateral agreements with regional countries were beneficial versus 11 per cent who disagreed, the paper reported.

The survey canvassed 1,402 people between April 4 and 14. It was carried out by CMRC Cypronetwork and its margin of error was 2 per cent.


GC telecom companies fear breaking law on mobile phone interoperability

Politis
CBMs

OVERVIEW

President Nicos Anastasiades is to be briefed on Friday by representatives of telecommunications providers on consultations concerning the interconnectivity of mobile telephony between the two sides.

The companies will seek reassurances by Anastasiades that they will not face any legal consequences in the case they decide to agree to the proposal, the daily reported.

The group is to inform Anastasiades on the solution sought as regards the possibility of roaming between the mobile telephony networks across the divide. The discussion will be focused on challenges to the implementation of the suggested solution and how they can be overcome.

The latest proposal concerns interconnection via a hub in Switzerland which will clear roaming calls from one side of the island to the other so that it would not require agreements signed between the companies in the two sides.

The Cyprus telecommunications authority (CyTA) is positive about the proposal but MTN is reluctant, the daily reported, adding that there are fears on whether this proposal will overcome legal obstacles that today forbid interconnection with networks in the north.  

The confidence-building measure in question, the daily said, will more or less overcome a psychologic barrier rather than addressing the actual issue of direct communication between the two sides due to the high roaming costs. Present at the meeting will also be representatives of the state legal services, the Commissioner for Electronic Communications and the department of electronic communications of the ministry of transport.


Ozersay in Ankara to discuss Cyprob

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Phileleftheros reported that ‘Foreign Minister’ Kudret Ozersay was summoned in Ankara to discuss the Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Ankara, the paper said, chose once more to consult with Ozersay on the Cyprus problem, adding that Cavusoglu prefers to cooperate with the TC politician on the issue and not with leader Mustafa Akinci.

Besides, Ozersay makes sure on every occasion to show that he is aligned with Turkey as regards the Cyprus problem, the paper said.

Phileleftheros said Ozersay’s latest statements on Guterres’ report are indicative of this. He said, according to the daily, that through the report, it is accepted, albeit with hesitation, that it has not been possible for a common ground to be reached for the talks to resume.

Through his social media account, Ozersay said that the draft report calls for the negotiations to carry on even though they cannot start under the current conditions. This, he said, is aimed at not questioning the status quo.

He said that the UN, once more, avoids saying things the way they are so as not to anger one of the two sides and seeks to equate the sides at any case and under any conditions.

Phileleftheros and Alithia also report on the initial reactions by other TC politicians to the Guterres report.

Alithia reported that the report stirred various reactions in the occupied areas.

KEY ACTORS
Ozersay
>>
The UN admits there is no common ground but calls for the resumption of talks anyway.
>> The UN is not willing to challenge the status quo.


Technical Committee: collapsing Venetian walls a top priority

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
CBMs

OVERVIEW

The GC head of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Takis Hadjidemetriou, said on Thursday their top priority is to restore the parts of the Nicosia Venetian walls on the northern end of the Green Line, which collapsed recently.

Following concerns after a second part of the walls across from the Ledra Palace Hotel, near Mula Bastion, collapsed this week, Hadjidemetriou told media that engineers had already been on site to examine the damage in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and a study has been made for its restoration.

The Committee is saving money from the budget of other projects to fund the restoration which is estimated to cost around €100,000, he said, adding that it is a sensitive monument and needs caution in handling.

Nicosia Municipality said on Thursday that they regret to see another part of the Venetian Walls, located in the occupied part of the town, collapse, adding that since its crews cannot access that part and restore the Walls, it has informed all competent services so that they can promptly take measures.


New Istanbul mayor wishes for peace on the island

Alithia, Haravgi
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The new Istanbul Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, said that peace must be safeguarded in Cyprus, wishing the war never took place, the papers report.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Imamoglu said he was in favour of talks on the Cyprus problem that protects the rights of both communities.

Even though he studied in the ‘TRNC’ in the 1980’s he has not forged any links with GCs since it was not possible at the time, he said.

He said he went to the north three to four years after the declaration of the ‘TRNC’ and had created a bond with the then TC leader Rauf Denktash.

Imamoglu wished that the war never happened, adding that peace must be safeguarded on the island by also safeguarding the rights of the two sides in a reasonable manner. He refrained from replying if he would run for president in the future. His goal, he said, is to be a successful mayor for Istanbul. He said that he has historic ties with Greece since he comes from Trabzon (Trapezounda) but that he does not speak Greek like others who come from the same area.


AKEL: Cyprus is being turned into a US puppet

Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Regional/International Relations, External Security, Energy

OVERVIEW

The two main parties have crossed swords on Wednesday over the bill prepared by US Senators Robert Menendez and Marco Rubio that calls among other things for a list of the arms embargo on Cyprus.

According to Phileleftheros, the spat started after DISY’s spokesman Demetris Demetriou responded to the constant attacks by AKEL over the bill and the questions put forth by the party’s parliamentary spokesman Giorgos Loucaides.

Loucaides asked how the government’s celebrations over a “cold-war bill” aiming at pushing Russia aside in the Eastern Mediterranean and establishing full US domination in the region align with its declarations of a non-exclusionary foreign policy that does not turn against third countries.

He also asked how does an independent, sovereign state accepts third countries such as the US shape its strategy on national security, as mentioned in paragraph 19 of the bill in question, based on their own interests and not on those of the Cypriot people.

Demetriou said in response that AKEL is unable to realise today’s realities and never accepted that Cyprus, since the day it has joined the EU  has a European orientation and that since 2013, through President Anastasiades’ foreign policy, the country has been establishing its strategic relations with countries of the region and the US. This, he said, is a multidimensional foreign policy that upgrades Cyprus’ role in the EU and strengthens relations with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

AKEL behaves like it is still the 1980’s, Demetriou said, adding that the first thing AKEL and the Christofias administration did in 2008 was to open an embassy in Cuba. This, he said, was another imaginative act of foreign policy that specifically aimed at reviving, in their minds, the Cold War era.

Haravgi reported that DISY most probably did not read the bill in question that seeks measures to reduce Russian influence on energy and security and, according to their announcement on Thursday, believe that it concerns the lift of the arms embargo on Cyprus. The bill, the daily said, concerns the US security and energy policy in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It also reported that Loucaides said in response that DISY invests in that citizens will not read the bill and avoid to answer to the fact that in exchange of the lift of the arms embargo, Cyprus will be turned into a US colony.

Among other things, he said, the bill provides for support of attempts by the countries of the region to stop using military equipment supplied by Russia in favour of equipment from NATO and its member countries. It also calls for monitoring media of Russian national ownership in Cyprus, Greece and Israel and whether they promote supportive opinions towards the Kremlin, and assessing Russia’s efforts to intimidate and influence the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the self-rule of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Loucaides said, according to Haravgi.

KEY ACTORS
Loucaides (AKEL)
>>
The bill aims to restore cold war era by pushing Russia aside from the energy and security game in the region and establish US domination.
>> In exchange of the lift of the arms embargo, Cyprus will be turned into a US colony.

Demetriou (DISY)
>> AKEL has never accepted that Cyprus has a European orientation.
>> Anastasiades’ foreign policy aims at upgrading Cyprus’ role in the EU and strengthening relations with the permanent members of the UN Security Council.


Turkish man arrested for alleged people smuggling

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

A 20-year-old Turkish national suspected of smuggling 46 Syrian migrants into the Republic was remanded for eight days by the Nicosia District court on Thursday.

He was arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with bringing 46 Syrian immigrants into the Republic.

The refugees were picked up by authorities on the Akaki to Avlona road at 9.30pm and were later taken to the reception centre at Kokkinotrimithia. The arrivals are all men from Syria except six minors.

The suspect was with them and tried to flee to the north as soon as he saw police officers.

He is suspected of being a member of a ring smuggling Syrian migrants to the Republic from Turkey’s Mersin via the north and the buffer zone. The court heard in the morning that 29 migrants arrived in Akaki on April 10 and 40 migrants just one day later, all of them Syrian men. They confirmed they arrived from Mersin and paid around $4,000 to $5,000 for the journey. According to the investigator, lately around 250 people have arrived from Syria, describing it as “a scourge that has plagued Cyprus and Europe over the last few years.” The suspect reportedly admitted that he has helped migrants to cross, together with two TCs.


Demolition of Ktima Mackenzie started

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Politis, Phileleftheros
Property

OVERVIEW

The demolition of Ktima Mackenzie in Larnaca, an event venue that sits on what was initially deemed as TC property, started on Thursday, all papers reported.
One of the managers of the venue was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly threatened to use violence against a Larnaca district officer. He appeared in court on Thursday morning where he was charged and released. The case will be heard in September.

The property which belongs to a TC who emigrated to the UK before 1960, had been leased to a GC who constructed an event and conference venue in 2010. But the son of the TC owner, Fikret Ali Riza who died in the UK in June 2000, filed a lawsuit against the state and the guardian of TC properties arguing that his father had emigrated to London in 1951 where he lived until his death and was a British passport holder. The property was registered to his son in August 2005. The property in question had been requisitioned by the state, like all properties left behind by TCs after 1974.

The son sued the state and the Guardian, demanding some €958,000 in damages for loss of use between 1975 and 2012, as well as general damages for violating his right to property. In 2016, the court awarded the plaintiff compensation and also ordered the government to vacate the property and remove any buildings that have been constructed. A dispute between the rightful owner and the user followed which lasted until the beginning of this year. In February, the Larnaca district court gave the interior ministry until March 22 to demolish the building.


Government internet network hacked

Phileleftheros
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

The government internet networks of Cyprus and neighbouring countries have been the victims of a group of hackers that call themselves Sea Turtle, the paper reports.

One of the most prestigious international laboratories on digital security, Cisco’s Talos, discovered that e-mail nodes of state officials and civil servants in Cyprus, as well as of neighbouring countries, have been the victims of hacker attacks that have penetrated a spy software.

Although sources of state digital security services said this was fake news, the validity of the international lab, which is among the two most recognised in the world, and the specific elements listed, leave no room for doubt, the paper said.

In particular, the survey reveals the unique data of government nodes, and of another important centre in Cyprus through which most of the incoming e-mails pass. It also records the course and where all interceptions end. The interceptions are made by cloning government nodes.

Experts estimate that attacks in countries such as Cyprus, Lebanon, Albania, etc. is just the beginning and they are trials in preparation for more dangerous attacks, which can hit the international economy and other sectors. According to Talos experts, the main targets of the Sea Turtle group are foreign ministries, military organisations, secret services and major energy companies, as well as telecom and internet organisations, the paper reports.


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