Front Page Headlines
Turkey on the bed of chiropractor Ramon
Decree for the seizure of €585,000 from pre-accession aid. The EU is called on to cut funds designated for Turkey to compensate a GC refugee. The ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) had awarded him in 2010 with €450,000 plus interest for the loss of use of his property in Bogazi.
- As long as the Cyprob remains unsolved… – Disturbance over explosions in the occupied areas.
- Strengthening of the Technical Committees
(Property) Evaluations are up in the air
The Auditor-general officially raised the issue of credibility of the land registry’s procedures. The valuation of the Qatar prime real estate was our mistake, says the land registry. Bill proposal by four parties to block the possible sale of the prime real estate in question (located in the centre of Nicosia).
- Night of terror in Kyrenia – Twelve injured and a lot of damage. A team of experts has arrived from Ankara. Concerns over the presence of chemicals.
- Cavusoglu insists on opening Varosha
- Uproar over the 16-year-old who took down the Turkish flag – They are shouting in the occupied areas.
After the dead bodies… probes and political responsibilities
Behind the tragedy of the death of the 14-year-old, but also behind the chain of tragedies, lie of course the big problems, shortcomings and the inadequacy of the state social welfare policies. Behind these also lie the political responsibilities of those in power who refuse to assume them…
- C.P. Cavafy: “Bid farewell to Alexandria that is departing…” (article on Famagusta)
- Consecutive ammunition explosions in Kyrenia – Panic and injuries.
- Eventful meeting with walkouts and with new president of the occupied municipalities, (Kythrea Mayor) Petros Kareklas
‘Varosha will be opened up’
Cavusoglu says preparations are underway, government slams ‘latest provocation’.
- Backlash after GC teen stole Turkish flag from Lysi school during a church service
- Munitions blast in north injures 12
They requested a probe on the 16-year-old for the sake of preserving the good climate
Written demand by the TC side to the government on the issue of the removal of the flag from the Lysi primary school. Reactions continue on the Turkish flag with Lysi Mayor Andreas Kaouris considering the issue as closed. The Turks issued an arrest warrant on the 16-year-old pupil and are looking for the flag.
- Yes, preparations are underway for opening Varosha – Cavusoglu throws a bomb.
- Occupied areas: Hell from explosions
- P. Kareklas is the new president of the occupied municipalities – They said ‘No’ to (Famagusta Mayor) Simos Ioannou.
Main News
RoC condemns Turkish FM’s statements on Varosha
Alithia, Haravgi, Cyprus Mail, Phileleftheros, Politis
Property, Negotiations Process, Energy, Economy, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the reaction to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s statement that Turkey plans to re-open the fenced-off town of Varosha.
CNN Turk quoted Cavusoglu saying in response to a question that preparations were underway and that the closed-off town would open.
He also said that no one could tell Turkey what to do in the eastern Mediterranean, nor could anyone obstruct its plans. “We will defend our rights and those of TCs,” he said.
The government said in response it condemns Cavusoglu’s comments in the most categorical way.
Government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said in a written statement the Republic would not remain passive in the face of this latest provocation. These remarks once again reveal Turkey’s main objectives, he said. “On the one hand, the obstruction of the resumption of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and the end of the occupation and on the other, the questioning of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in its EEZ for the purpose of usurping a large part of Cyprus’ natural resources, but also expansionist intentions at the expense of Famagusta.”
He added that the government would utilise “all political and diplomatic means available to address these statements by Turkey.”
Phileleftheros reported that Cavusoglu added fuel to the fire to obviously maintain the explosive atmosphere and avert the efforts by the two leaders to sit at the negotiations table.
According to Politis, the plans by the Turkish and TC sides to open the closed-off town of Varosha is being seen by some as a bluff and as moves aimed at exerting pressure ahead of developments on the Cyprus problem. In any case, one cannot ignore these plans since they are now being announced in the most official way through interviews and statements by Turkish officials and politicians in the occupied areas, the paper said.
In another article, Politis reported that businessmen in the free Famagusta area have expressed their concerns over the latest developments
During a recent meeting with the mayors and community leaders of the area, the free Famagusta area businessmen have decided to launch a round of contacts with competent government carriers in a bid to avert Turkey’s plans on Varosha.
The head of the Famagusta Tourist Commercial Industrial Association, Petros Petrou, told Politis that a possible opening of Varosha would have negative consequences on the economy of the free Famagusta area, especially the tourism industry.
The opening of the Dherynia crossing has affected negatively tourism since locals and foreign nationals cross to the occupied areas. The opening of the crossing was one of the reasons that tourist traffic in Ayia Napa and Protaras was reduced compared to other years, he said, adding that this year’s summer tourist season will end with a 10 per cent decrease in tourist arrivals in the area compared to last summer.
Petrou said that, now, apart from regional competition in tourism from the likes of Turkey and the countries of North Africa, “we will, unfortunately, have the main competitor in our own home.”
According to the latest statistics by JCC, GC visitors to the occupied areas have spent €38m during the past four months, the daily reported.
Haravgi reports that following a meeting organised by the Famagusta Municipality on Wednesday it was decided to set up two advisory committees on issues concerning Famagusta and the Cyprus problem. One committee will consist of lawyers and diplomats who will advise the mayor and the council on Famagusta and the Cyprus problem; the second will be a culture committee which will consist of Famagustians who are active in the field and who will promote the issue of Famagusta through culture.
Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou told Astra radio on Thursday that there must be serious pressure on Turkey so that the Cyprus problem is resolved on the right basis, Haravgi reported.
KEY ACTORS
Cavusoglu (Turkey)
>> Turkey will open Varosha.
>> No one can tell Turkey what to do in the East Med or stop her from defending her and the TCs’ rights.
Prodromou
>> Condemns Cavusoglu’s comments & warns the RoC will use all means to address this latest provocation.
>> Cavusoglu’s comments reveal yet again Turkey’s main objectives which are none other than obstructing the resumption of talks, usurping a large chunk of Cyprus’ natural resources & promoting her expansionist intentions on Famagusta.
Court orders EU to pay GC refugee from Turkey funds
Alithia, Politis
Property, EU Matters, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that the renowned chiropractor Dinos Ramon, 82, and his lawyer, Achilleas Demetriades, have secured a court decree in Cyprus with which they will appeal to the European Court of Justice (CJEU) and ask for a permit for the seizure of €585,518.74 from EU funds earmarked for Turkey.
According to the dailies, in 2010, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in a collective action in the Xenidis-Aresti case, awarded Dinos Ramon damages of €450,000 plus €8,000 in interest for the loss of use of his property in Bogazi. Turkey has not paid a single cent to date, having shifted the burden of pressure to meet her obligations to the Council of Europe’s Council of Ministers, which is a political body, Politis said.
In 1974, Ramon had built a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre which, after the invasion, the occupation authorities gave to a TC who turned it into a hotel that went bankrupt in 2010. The property is now abandoned.
Demetriades was able to secure last June from the Famagusta district court a temporary ‘escrow’ decree that gives the possibility to Ramon to demand from the European Commission the compensation he was awarded, by seizing part of the funds that have been earmarked as aid for Turkey.
What is left is for the CJEU to decide to waive the immunity enjoyed by the European Commission in order to pay compensation to Dr Ramon. The chances of success are significant, and the decision is expected to create a precedent regarding claims by GC refugees, the papers reported.
According to the dailies, Dr Ramon’s case is a ‘pilot’ for many other cases at the European level since it has important political dimensions for countries that receive EU aid.
Politis, which runs the story as its main item, said that Ramon and Demetriades have cornered Turkey as regards her refusal to pay compensation awarded by the ECHR to GC refugees.
TCs request probe into removal of Turkish flag
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The removal of a Turkish flag by a GC teen last Sunday in Lysi has sparked a debate and disagreements on whether it was a brave act or improper with the papers publishing opinion pieces and statements on the matter.
Alithia reported that an ‘arrest warrant’ was issued on the 16-year-old in the occupied areas.
According to the paper, the TC side has asked, through the Technical Committee on Crime, that the incident is investigated in the free areas.
In the letter sent by the TC side, it is argued that in order to maintain a good climate between the two sides such cases must be dealt with decisively. It is not yet known how the Cyprus Police will handle the case, the daily said.
It confirmed however that the Turkish flag was returned last Wednesday by Lysi refugees who believe that after this development, the matter should be considered closed.
Lysi Mayor Andreas Kaouris told media on Thursday that it was an isolated incident and that it does not overshadow the wish of the Lysi refugees to return to their occupied land.
The daily also quoted GC head of the Technical Committee on Culture Takis Hadjidemetriou, saying that such acts consolidate partition, mistrust and conflict.
Hadjidemetriou said the act of the 16-year-old was a product of the way society is being educated.
“What values do we give, what directions, how we interpret patriotism,” he said, according to the daily.
He said: “We must at some time enter into a dialogue and recognise in this country, after what we have suffered, that we need to be armed with the potential of dialogue, communication, co-existence and a new beginning in a multicultural Cyprus.”
The paper also reported that the father of Solomos Solomou told Alpha TV on Thursday that he could see nothing wrong as regards the teenager’s behaviour. “What was his crime?,” the man asked according to Alithia.
Haravgi reported that the 16-year-old and his father apologised for what happened but the incident was exploited by ELAM that applauded the teen’s actions and urged children do the same.
Cyprus Mail reported that senior DIKO official Chrysis Pantelides found himself under fire on Thursday after congratulating the 16-year-old. Pantelides tweeted that what the teen had done was “a brave, brash and risky act against the symbol of the occupying country in an occupied town. Well done to him.” The tweet prompted a backlash with social media users reproaching Pantelides for encouraging such behaviours among teenagers. “Tell that to the mother of the next one on the day of his funeral,” was the response of another Twitter user.
According to one of the commentators, the 16-year old has regretted his actions and wants the issue to be over, the paper reported.
Phileleftheros, in an opinion piece, said that ELAM’s leader Christos Christou also applauded the 16-year-old’s action and likened him with Solomos Solomou who had done the same in 1996 but lost his life in the process.
It is truly irresponsible for politicians to applaud and encourage children doing such dangerous acts. Peace, gentlemen, does not come by taking down the symbols of the occupation but through dialogue and understanding each side’s concerns, the piece said.
In another opinion piece also in Phileleftheros, columnist Alecos Michaelides criticised Alithia on the negative way, he said, it had presented the story on Thursday, arguing that it was along the same lines as the mentality of the Turkish ultra-nationalist group Grey Wolves that have issued threats against the teen.
The kid merely lowered the occupation flag from the school of his village which is more or less what instinctively enslaved peoples do to the symbols of their occupiers, the comment said.
The columnist said that Alithia would most probably report on the lowering of the Nazi flag from the Acropolis in Athens on May 31, 1941, as “two 18-year-olds have spoiled the positive atmosphere.”
In his own opinion piece in Politis, political reporter Giorgos Kafkalias, under the headline ‘Brave Act…(?)’ said that if someone took the time to explain to that boy that his act would not change anything as regards the Cyprus problem talks and that there could be consequences for him but also for all GC refugees who might lose their right to visit their villages and their churches, then he would probably have second thoughts.
Kafkalias wished to the 16-year-old to live one day in a country where the priority would be to create such conditions that there will be no need for modern-day heroes and dead brave men and where to be brave will mean to make changes to improve people’s quality of life regardless if they are GCs or TCs.
GC media report on explosions in north
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
External Security
OVERVIEW
All dailies report on the explosions in the ammunition depot in the occupied areas on Thursday morning with detailed stories mainly based on what has been reported by TC media.
The papers report on the injury of 12 people and how the explosions caused panic among tourists and locals.
Some of the dailies also quote TC leader Mustafa Akinci saying that as long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved military measures will continue to be taken by both sides.
Akinci also said that there must be an assessment so that these military measures are not harmful to humans and that they are consistent with Cyprus’ geographical location, the
papers reported.
Occupied municipalities elect new chair
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
According to the dailies, the new head of the Committee of Occupied Municipalities is Kythrea Mayor Petros Kareklas who was elected following an eventful election procedure.
The elections took place amidst political interventions into who ought to be elected which caused the ire of several members of the Committee. One of the main points of contention was the informal agreement that the head of the Committee would always be the mayor of Famagusta since it was the biggest in population municipality.
The papers reported that so far it was only the Famagusta mayors that were at the helm of the Committee, the last one being the late Alexis Galanos.
While the Famagusta Municipality had asked for its new mayor, Simos Ioannou, to fill the vacant seat for the remaining 2.5 years until the next elections, the mayors of Kythrea, Akanthou, Karava, Kyrenia, Lapithos and Lefkoniko refused.
After Ioannou walked out in protest, the only candidate for the new procedure was Kythrea Mayor Petros Kareklas who was declared as the new head of the Committee.
According to Haravgi, Ioannou accused Kareklas of orchestrating the result and warned that the issue is not over.
Room for more actions by some Technical Committees
Politis
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The daily, citing sources within the Technical Committees, reports that both leaders demonstrate the intention to strengthen the committees, as per the calls of the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The daily referred to last Monday’s meeting between negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and GC members of the Technical Committees where they discussed the need for cooperation between the committees and their support with administrative staff.
The daily said there are committees that produce a lot of work such as those on Cultural Heritage, Culture, Education and Crime but that there is room for further actions especially by the Committees on Gender Equality, Health, and Environment.
Sources within the Technical Committees told Politis that there are problems, which in some cases do not allow for seamless and better cooperation between the two sides in some committees, but that it greatly helps that the committees have nothing to do with the ‘government’ since they deal with TC leader Mustafa Akinci.
Extracurricular activities for Rizokarpaso pupils
Phileleftheros
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
According to the daily, for the first time in the history of the schools in Rizokarpaso, the government, in collaboration with the National Addictions Authority is launching a programme for extracurricular activities for the pupils.
The programme, that will start in October, introduces afternoon activities for pupils in Rizokarpaso such as English, computer lessons, dance and art. The move follows approval by the cabinet of the necessary budget.
There are currently 43 pupils at the kindergarten, primary and secondary schools of Rizokarpaso, two children more than last year, the daily reported.
Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou, who visited the school this week, also said that a family with six children has filed an application to settle in the area, which “is encouraging” since it would help raise the number of pupils to 49.