Front Page Headlines
“Entry” Easy – “Escape” Free
The problem of “law and order” is emphasized; lack of control at entry points into the country is another problem. Moreover, unregistered people involved in criminal activities is the leading concern of the public.
- 731,189 active mobile subscribers – Information Technologies and Communication Board (BTHK) announced its first quarter report for 2019.
- “We have to pay a price for reforms and peace in Cyprus is unavoidable” – Journalists Ali Baturay, Esra Aygın, Artun Çağa and Sami Özuslu answered Yenidüzen’s question: what shall we do now?
New minister must renovate the [Old] Harbour
Those who earn a living from the Kyrenia’s Old Harbour want it to reclaim its past glory. Minister Ünal Üstel: “We are determined to solve the problems [at the old harbour] and we have the budget to do it”.
- “We are in favour of fair sharing of the reserves” – US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affair Mathew Palmer spoke to TAK on hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
[Method of] Entry into the country is the biggest problem
Lawyers from Kyrenia touch upon the country’s open wound, while the jewellery store robbers’ departure from Ercan (Tymbou) airport even though the suspects’ identities were known, caused public outrage.
- Red bag still missing – One of the bags stolen by the robbers could not be found. The other one was found in Famagusta buried in the ground near the Famagusta port.
They spend we pay
There are 194 electricity meters registered in the names of Greek Cypriots living in the villages of Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) and Sipahi (Ayia Trias). Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority (KIBTEK) which measures Greek Cypriots’ consumption say the amount of unpaid bills has exceeded 19m Turkish Lira. On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot Electricity Authority is unable to measure the consumption of Turkish Cypriots living in Pyla village. Nonetheless, both KIBTEK and GC Electricity Authority reflect the unpaid amount consumed to other paying consumers.
- America’s priority is a solution on the island – US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affair Mathew Palmer said America’s support to the bicommunal, bizonal federal solution continues.
Tatar has to deal with so many problems
Queer Cyprus LGBTI (Kuir Kıbrıs LGBTI) activist Erman Dolmacı wants the new government to allow same-sex marriage. Dolmacı points out that many Turkish Cypriot gay couples travel abroad to get married due to legal obstacles. He demands Tatar to put an end to the state’s discrimination against same-sex marriages.
Is Manavoğlu being removed from duty?
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and hıs Deputy Kudret Özersay pressed the button to change the upper management of the police force. It is claimed Police Commissioner Süleyman Manavoğlu, whom many complained about, will be the first to go.
Main News
US State Dept official highlights Cyprus’ strategic importance for the US
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affair Mathew Palmer said that the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus is of strategic importance to the US.
In an interview to the TAK news agency published on Saturday, the US State Department official said that there were a number of issues which concerned the US in the Eastern Mediterranean including its national security.
Asked about the US’s large military presence in the area, Palmer said that the region was vital for US national security interests.
He said, however that the US had no intention of establishing a base on the island like France.
Palmer reiterated Washington’s position that energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean should be fairly shared by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
“We believe that the proceeds from those resources should be shared equitably amongst all the people of the island within a framework of a negotiated settlement,” he said.
He said that they wanted Turkey to stop its drilling activities in the region.
Regarding Turkish-US relations, Palmer described Turkish Cypriots as friends and Turkey as an important ally in the region.
“We are openly urging Turkey to stop its drilling activities as this would threaten regional peace and security,” he said
Responding to a question on which was the best way to transport the gas, Palmer said that this was an issue which was up to the energy companies to decide.
“I would like to underline that achieving a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement will contribute to regional cooperation and peace. It will open the way for cooperation in numerous areas. To achieve all of these before a settlement is extremely difficult. We are hopeful that the two sides will remain committed to reaching a negotiated settlement that will create the conditions for cooperation, including energy,” he said.
Palmer also said that a federal solution remained Washington’s top priority but that it was ultimately up to the two sides to decide what kind of a settlement model they wanted to try.
KEY ACTOR
Palmer (US State Dept.)
>> Cyprus & East Mediterranean is strategically important for the US and its national security.
>> US has no intention of establishing a base in Cyprus.
>> Proceeds from natural resources should be shared equitably amongst TCs and GCs within a framework of a negotiated settlement.
>> TCs are US’s friends and Turkey an important US ally in the region.
>> We urge Turkey to stop drilling activities as this is threatening regional peace & stability.
>> Energy companies to decide which is the best option to transport discovered natural gas.
>> Bizonal, bicommunal, federal settlement will contribute to regional peace and cooperation particularly on energy.
>> Utilizing natural resources difficult before a solution.
>> Federal settlement continues to be Washington’s top priority but its ultimately up to the two sides to decide which model to try.
Electricity authorities of both sides unable to charge free riders
Havadis
Economy
OVERVIEW
There are 194 electricity meters belonging to Greek Cypriots in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) and Sipahi (Ayia Trias) villages, Havadis reported on Sunday. The Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority (KIBTEK) which measures the electricity consumption of Greek Cypriots’ living in the Karpaz peninsula reported that the amount had exceeded 19m Turkish Lira. The paper also reported that there were 218 electricity meters registered to Turkish Cypriots living in the mixed village of Pyla. It says that Turkish Cypriots living in the village are not billed by the Greek Cypriot Electricity Authority because it can’t measure their consumption. Nonetheless, both electricity authorities, north and south, have been reflecting the unpaid consumption to other paying consumers since 1974.
Havadis asked Ahmet Dargın, General Director of KIBTEK, whether there is any abuse of the “free electricity” issue in these villages. Dargın said KIBTEK was able to monitor the situation in Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) and Sipahi (Ayia Trias) villages.
He added there are Turkish Cypriots who have leased properties from Greek Cypriots but have not applied to change the name on the electricity meter therefore not paying any electricity bills. Dargın noted KIBTEK cannot monitor Pyla but he shared what he heard from his Greek Cypriot counterparts which were that Turkish Cypriots in Pyla do definitely abuse the “free electricity” issue.
It’s reported that at times they even leave the air-conditioning on for their pets while they go on holiday.
Dargın said the two electricity authorities on both sides had agreed on taking simultaneous steps towards charging consumers for their consumption in 2013-2014 but the two community leaders at the time had asked the electricity authorities to delay their efforts. Then KIBTEK attempted to install “smart electric meters” in Pyla but the villagers reacted and the authority stopped the procedure.