Front Page Headlines
Angiograph patients in the corridors
Yenidüzen was at the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State hospital in Nicosia on Thursday as part of an ongoing series of reports on problems being experienced in public hospitals. The paper was at the cardiology service speaking with patients. The service was overcrowded; patients who underwent angiography were forced to wait for hours on gurneys in the corridors. Family members speaking to Yenidüzen expressed their outrage. “It seems there is no health, no hygiene and no care left in the hospitals,” they claimed.
Financial protocol and the public workers’ bill are vital
The people evaluated the National Unity Party (UBP)–People’s Party (HP) coalition government’s 300-day goals, outlining the most important items among them. Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası the people expressed hope the government will realize its goals in the coming three years.
- Turkey warns – Licenses issued by the Greek Cypriot administration are null and void.
- The mastermind behind Naim’s murder Zahid Masood escaped to Pakistan
The mountain road continues to be dangerous
Experts stress that renewing the Değirmenlik (Kythrea) mountain road is not enough on its own and that truck drivers must be trained as well. Experts welcomed the announcement of the 2022 deadline for the new road which had been regularly postponed until now. Civil engineer Engin Ömer Kunt drew attention to the dangerous character of the road, stating that trucks with heavy loads pose a serious threat to road safety. He proposed a dual carriageway to be built.
Medicines simmer in the heat and freeze in the cold
It is claimed that imported medical supplies and medicines including vaccines are made to wait in containers for days at the ports. Ayşe Gökyiğit, Director of the Medicines and Pharmacies Department, refuted the claims and said: medicines requiring a cold chain are brought into the country via air and any shipments which fail to comply with procedures are not accepted.
- Must be careful in New York – PM Ersin Tatar sent a message to President Mustafa Akıncı while visiting the Turkish Parliament.
We are warning you
Ankara issues a stern warning to the Greek Cypriot administration which signed a contract with a French energy company to conduct off-shore exploration in block seven located within Turkey’s continental shelf.
Political disgrace
This is not political equality. Look at the state of our politicians who demand political equality from Greek Cypriots. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar who is carrying out an official visit to Ankara was greeted at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Ankara Şaban Erdoğan.
Main News
Akıncı to discuss ToR with UNSG in New York
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı will be departing for New York on Monday, September 23 for contacts on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Akıncı’s office announced on Thursday.
Akıncı is set to meet with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at a date yet to be announced.
The statement said that the meeting with the Secretary-General will focus on the Terms of Reference (ToR) that will determine whether or not the two sides are on the same page before restarting talks.
Akıncı is expected to return to the island on October 3.
He will be accompanied by his special representative Erhan Erçin, spokesman Barış Burcu and private secretary Cenk Gürçağ.
Government and opposition express concern ahead of NY
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing, Energy, Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Thursday said that conditions of a new negotiations process must be agreed in advance.
Speaking in Ankara, he warned the Turkish Cypriot side must be extra vigilant in New York not to be tricked into entering a new and dangerous adventure.
“We must not be dragged into a process that disregards Turkish Cypriot people’s rights and interests,” Tatar stressed. He noted that Turkey should be consulted on every aspect and phase of the Cyprus negotiations process.
Tatar pointed out sharing power and wealth was also necessary for a just and lasting settlement.
“The Greek Cypriot side is reluctant to do both. Therefore we do not see the possibility of reaching an agreement soon,” he said, reiterating his government’s position in support of a two-state solution.
Tatar, in response to a question on the fenced-off city, described the government’s initiative on Maraş (Varosha) as a game-changer.
He noted that once the current efforts on the fenced-off town are completed, the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) will start accepting applications for properties in Maraş (Varosha).
Tatar pointed out that Maraş (Varosha) was Evkaf property and that some former residents would be able to return as tenants of the Evkaf Administration as and when the fenced-off city was opened. He said others will have to apply to the IPC.
Asked about the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar said the Greek Cypriots wanted to give the Turkish Cypriots their share as and when an agreement was reached.
He said that both communities will pursue their activities until the Greek Cypriots accept Turkish Cypriot proposals to cooperate.
Main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman on Thursday said that the statements made by the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades ahead of New York were gravely concerning.
Speaking on a news programme on Bayrak, Erhürman said that Anastasiades was setting preconditions for the resumption of talks by demanding that Turkey ceases its hydrocarbon activities and the Turkish Cypriot government abandons its Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
“This is not something we wanted but the agreements signed with ENI and TOTAL have intensified our concerns,” Erhürman said.
The CTP leader argued that the hydrocarbons issue could be solved within the framework of the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals and Maraş (Varosha) within the framework of the United Nations (UN) resolutions.
Erhürman also said that he had gained the impression during his last meeting with President Mustafa Akıncı that a tripartite meeting was not likely to be held.
“Should there be no last minute changes, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will hold separate meetings with the two leaders,” Erhürman concluded.
People’s Party (HP) Kyrenia MP Erek Çağatay on Thursday said it was important that any future negotiations process on the Cyprus Problem be results-oriented.
Speaking on Bayrak, Çağatay said that the Greek Cypriot side was backing away from past convergences on issues such as political equality and rotational presidency.
“The Greek Cypriot side has a different mentality. The Greek Cypriots see us as a minority and this is something we cannot accept. An agreement that does not safeguard the effective participation of Turkish Cypriots in decision-making processes is not possible. Neither is a settlement that does not include a rotational presidency,” Çağatay said.
He said that there was no confusion on what reunification under a federal roof entailed.
“A federation means sharing wealth and power, nothing else. So I would like to ask is the Greek Cypriot side ready to share the island’s wealth or administration with us? We see a Greek Cypriot side that even refuses to discuss the issue of hydrocarbons. If you refuse to bring this issue to the table it means that you will not discuss a federal settlement with us. That is why the People’s Party is saying that a solution must be results-oriented. This is the view of the HP, the view of the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey,” he said.
Çağatay argued that given the circumstances it was meaningless to insist on a federal settlement and that the time had come to discuss alternative solution models at the table.
The HP MP also said it was high time the international community pressured the Greek Cypriots into a solution rather than supporting it.
“The international community should also warn the Greek Cypriots on the issue of hydrocarbons rather than supporting and encouraging them,” he said.
Çağatay argued that this would also be in the interests of energy companies who are investing in the region.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Conditions of new talks must be agreed in advance.
>> TC side must not be dragged into a process that disregards its rights & interests.
>> Turkey must be consulted at every aspect & phase of the talks.
>> Sharing power & wealth is necessary for a just & lasting settlement.
>> Agreement not possible because GCs reluctant to share both.
>> Government supports a two-state solution.
>> Government’s initiative on Maraş (Varosha) a game-changer.
>> Maraş (Varosha) is Evkaf property, some former residents will be able to return as tenants of Evkaf. He said others will have to go throught the IPC.
>> Both communities will continue their drilling activities until GC side accepts TC proposals to cooperate.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Anastasiades setting preconditions for the resumption of talks by demanding that Turkey ceases its hydrocarbon activities & TCs abandon Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
>> Contracts signed with ENI & TOTAL worrying.
>> Hydrocarbons issue can be solved through TC side’s proposals & Maraş (Varosha) within the framework of UN resolutions.
>> Tripartite meeting in NY unlikely.
Çağatay (HP)
>> GC side is backing away from past convergences on political equality & rotational presidency.
>> GC side sees TCs as a minority. This is unacceptable.
>> An agreement that does not safeguard the effective participation of TCs in decision-making processes is not possible.
>> A federation means sharing wealth and power.
>> GC side refuses to discuss the issue of hydrocarbons.
>> HP and TCs are saying that a solution must be results-oriented.
>> Developments show it’s meaningless to insist on federal settlement. Time come to discuss alternative solution models at table.
>> It is time international community pressures GCs into a solution.
>> International community should warn GCs on hydrocarbons issue which would also be in the interests of energy companies.
Ankara issues stern warning to GCs over new drilling
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday slammed the Greek Cypriot side for signing agreements with international companies for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration in license block 7.
“We repeat our strong warning that the unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriot administration, which aim at usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, do not contribute to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Hami Aksoy, spokesperson of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on Thursday.
Responding to a question on the Greek Cypriot side’s signed agreements with ENI and TOTAL for exploration within the South’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Aksoy said it is an indication the Greek Cypriot side has failed to comprehend Turkey’s determination, despite all warnings.
Aksoy stressed a section of block seven is within the Turkish continental shelf, which has been registered with the United Nations (UN).
“Turkey will under no circumstances allow any foreign country, company or vessel to engage in unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities within its maritime jurisdiction areas,” Aksoy noted.
He added that Ankara will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its rights and interests.
Aksoy recalled that the recent hydrocarbon co-management proposal put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side was still on the table.
“However, the recent agreement, unfortunately, demonstrates that the Greek Cypriot side persists in prolonging its irresponsible stance that disregards equal and inalienable rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the natural resources on and around the Island,” Aksoy concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Aksoy (MFA)
>> GCs unilateral acts don’t contribute to peace & stability in East Med.
>> GCs fail to comprehend Turkey’s determination, despite all warnings.
>> A section of block 7 is within Turkish continental shelf which is registered with the UN.
>> Turkey will under no circumstances allow any country, company or vessel to engage in unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities within its maritime jurisdiction areas.
>> TC hydrocarbon co-management proposal is still on the table.
Murder suspect claimed to have escaped to Pakistan
Kıbrıs Postası
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Kıbrıs Postası claimed on Friday that Zahid Masood, the lead suspect in the Gökhan Naim murder case, has succeeded in escaping to Pakistan from the hospital he was receiving treatment in.
The paper claimed he had been transported to Pakistan via an ambulance plane while Greek Cypriot officials turned a blind eye.
Masood was implicated in the murder of Gökhan Naim, owner of Gesfi Exchange office in north Nicosia earlier this year.
Zahid Masood was seriously injured after falling from the third floor of a building while trying to escape from police in a raid in August.
The Greek Cypriot government spokesperson Prodromos Prodromou had confirmed the police raid as part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants but denied any information regarding Masood.
Divided Nicosia prepares for special Cyprus Rally stage
Yenidüzen
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Cyprus Rally is back in Nicosia after a few years absence and is ready to thrill motorsports fans on Saturday 28 September, the Nicosia Turkish Municipality announced on Thursday.
This year’s super special stage will include a section of north Nicosia.
Certain roads will be closed between 2pm and 4pm, the statement read.
The special stage has been taking place since 2014.
Organisers have created several places for spectator viewing, the most popular being the Taksim Football Field located within the UN buffer zone.
The race cars will cross over to the north through the football field clearing hurdles surrounded by splashes.
The cars will then turn left to the Ledra Palace traffic lights, drive straight before turning left and circling back to the football pitch.
Runite Nicosia is also holding a bicommunal running event on the International Day of Peace on September 21, Yenidüzen writes.
It will be a 12km run starting from Famagusta Avenue Garage in Deryneia to the town of Famagusta and back.