TCC Press Review 19 Jan 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

They embraced each other after 56 years

56 years ago, Greek Cypriot doctor Mihalis Psiloinis took the risk of travelling to the Turkish Cypriot village of Bozdağ (Agios Theodoros) where he saved the life of Sultan Yıkıcı and delivered her child. After 56 years, Dr Mihalis Psiloinis, Sultan Yıkıncı and her son Cengiz Yıkıcı met once again in Yeni Erenköy (Yialousa) where they hugged and embraced each other.

  • Tatar UBP’s (National Unity Party) presidential candidate

Kıbrıs Postası

“No one has the support I have”

Ersin Tatar officially announced his candidacy from the UBP for the upcoming presidential elections in the north. Tatar said he is certain he will win the elections because he has the support of both his party and the people.

Kıbrıs

Violence will increase as long as it is tolerated

Experts note that the biggest reason for violence against women is a lack of education. Sociologist Nihal Salman said “Women must be educated not to tolerate violence as a norm. otherwise, it will continue to increase.” 

  • A new era, a new vision – Ersin Tatar is officially the presidential candidate from the UBP. Tatar, in addition to sharing his vision for the presidency, said he will win the elections because he is supported both by his party and the people.

Havadis

From his party and not independent

The UBP’s party assembly unanimously voted in favour of nominating Ersin Tatar as the party’s candidate for the presidential elections. Tatar, in his address to party members, expressed confidence he will win the elections.

  • A lesson of humanity given by a doctor at times of war and death.

Diyalog

“We will win”

Prime Minister Ersin Tatar announced his candidacy at the historical square in what resembled a political rally. He boosted the morale of UBP supporters.

  • A solution has gained urgency –Akıncı who toured the villages of Karpaz (Karpas) drew attention to the rising tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Afrika

It’s either all or nothing for Tatar

The third candidate for the presidential elections following Tufan Erhürman and Kudret Özersay became clear. The UBP’s party assembly unanimously voted in favour of nominating Ersin Tatar as its candidate. Addressing UBP supporters he said, “we will win.” However difficult times will be awaiting him if he loses the election. He can lose both his position as party leader and prime minister. Tatar may even not be elected as MP in the next elections.

  • He has not announced his candidacy yet – Mustafa Akıncı who continued visits to villages in the Karpaz (Karpas) area was in Pamuklu (Tavros), Bafra (Vokolida), Kalecik (Gastria), Kurtuluş (Avgolida) and Ergazi (Ovgoros). He’s not in a rush to announce his candidacy.
  • Six serious cases of influenza in the South – Two of the patients are aged 13 and 17 while the others are aged between 68 and 60. There are also those in intensive care.
  • It cut financial assistance – European Union (EU) imposes sanctions on Ankara. The European Union is preparing to slash 75 per cent of its financial assistance to Turkey due to its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria.

Main News

Tatar announces candidacy for the presidency

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The leader of the National Unity Party-Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Saturday announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections in the north.

With a little over two months left to the election, Tatar has become the third person to announce his candidacy for the April presidential race following Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Tufan Erhürman and former Peoples’ Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay.

On Thursday, the HP had announced that it will be supporting Özersay who resigned from his post as party leader and who will be running as an independent candidate.

Tatar, addressing a crowd of party supporters in front of his party’s building in Nicosia’s historical Atatürk Square following the decision adopted by the UBP’s assembly, said that he was proud to be the UBP’s candidate.

He pointed out that he was the UBP’s third presidential candidate following Rauf R. Denktaş and Derviş Eroğlu.

Vowing certain victory, Tatar said he would be working for the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot state.

“We shall be meeting the peoples’ expectation both on the Cyprus Issue and the economy. Our well-organized bodies and the party is our assurance for certain victory. The Office of the President belongs to the people and I shall bring with me a new understanding, a new vision and new excitement,” he said. 

UBP also issued a statement on Saturday outlining Ersin Tatar’s vision for the presidency, entitled “A New Era, A New Vision”.

Tatar started his vision statement with the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and pointed to the ongoing struggle for power and sovereignty in the region.

“We have to protect the Blue Homeland in order to protect the rights of both Turkey and the TRNC on land, in the seas and in the skies,” Tatar said.

He argued it would not be possible to protect Turkish Cypriots’ rights without the military and economic support of Turkey.

“Our goal will be to strengthen the TRNC’s defence infrastructure as the Treaty of Guarantee and Alliance is in place. We will, therefore, be signing any agreements necessary with Turkey in that respect,” Tatar said.

Tatar claimed the 2017 Crans Montana process had collapsed due to Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent attitude.

“All the relevant parties had expressed the view that prospects for a federal solution in Cyprus had ended with the unsuccessful outcome of the Cyprus conference. Even Mr Akıncı had said that this was the last unsuccessful attempt of his generation to reach for a federal solution’,” Tatar said.

He added that there has been no positive shift in the Greek Cypriot side’s mentality or mindset since then despite Akıncı’s insistence to resume talks for a federal settlement.

“This shows us that it will not be possible to achieve a different result by doing the same things over and over again,” Tatar said.

He said the UBP believes that a solution in Cyprus should be achieved through the negotiations process but pointed out that talks should not resume from where they left off in Crans Montana.

“Firstly, it should be determined whether there is a common vision towards a solution and secondly, whether there is a genuine change in the Greek Cypriot side or not,” Tatar noted.

As a sign of a change in mentality, Tatar said, the Greek Cypriot side should agree to establish a committee on hydrocarbons on the basis of equal ownership of the resources.

“This will prevent any dangerous polarization or escalation of tension in the region and will prepare the ground for regional cooperation,” Tatar added.

Only then could a results-oriented process which is not open-ended, could commence, Tatar, stressed.

Tatar also emphasized that all solution models including a two-state solution should be on the table when a new process commences.

He expressed the view that the United Nations (UN) must provide assurances to upgrade the status of the Turkish Cypriot side should the new process fail to achieve the desired result.

“The Greek Cypriot side also has to acknowledge that the continuation of Turkey’s effective and active guarantees is indispensable for the Turkish Cypriots in the case of a solution with Turkish Cypriots,” Tatar stressed.

He recalled that a decision had been adopted by the Turkish Cypriot parliament in 2010 for the continuation of guarantees.

Moreover, Tatar stressed that any solution to be reached in Cyprus must be on the basis of sovereign equality.

He added the Turkish Cypriot community must not be forced to relocate as a result of any agreement reached on the territorial adjustment chapter.

“We must have the clear majority in population and property in the territories under the effective control of the Turkish Cypriot administration,” Tatar said.

He argued all human rights issues including the freedom of movement and the freedom of settlement can be solved on the basis of the realities on the island and on the basis of sovereign equality.

“A balance between Turks and Greeks should be ensured both in the eastern Mediterranean and on the island in every issue,” Tatar noted, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to cooperate with the Greek Cypriot side on the basis of reciprocity with the aim of increasing the welfare of both communities.

Tatar also said the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to share the water supplied from Turkey, establish an interconnectivity system with the south and build a natural gas pipeline to Turkey.

“We are ready to include the Greek Cypriot side in collaboration projects with the understanding on the basis of win-win for both sides,” Tatar said.

He also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready and willing to cooperate on matters like natural disasters, migration and exchange of suspects with the Greek Cypriot side as well.

Tatar concluded his vision statement by touching on the efforts to become part of the European Union (EU). “Turkish Cypriots’ goal is to be part of the EU and this goal will be an important aspect in all our efforts,” Tatar concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> There is an ongoing struggle for power and sovereignty in the East Med. region.
>> The Blue Homeland must be protected in order to safeguard the rights of both Turkey & TRNC on land, in the sea & in the skies.
>> Not possible to protect TCs’ rights in the absence of military & economic relations with Turkey.
>> The goal should be to strengthen TRNC’s defence infrastructure, therefore any agreements necessary with Turkey will be signed.
>> 2017 Crans Montana process collapsed due to Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent attitude.
>> All the relevant parties have agreed that a quest for a federal solution has come to an end for Cyprus immediately after the Cyprus conference.
>> Since then there has been no change in the GC side’s mentality or mindset despite Akıncı’s insistence to resume federation talks.
>> It is not possible to achieve a different result by repeating the same things.
>> The UBP believes that a solution ishould be achieved through negotiations but the process should not resume from where it left off in Crans Montana.
>> It should be determined whether there is a common vision towards a solution & whether there is a genuine change in the GC side or not.
>> The GC side should agree to establish a committee on hydrocarbons on the basis of equal ownership of the resources.
>> This will prevent any dangerous polarization or escalation of tension in the region, preparing the ground for regional cooperation.
>> Only then can a results-oriented process which is not open-ended, can commence.
>> All solution models including a two-state solution must be at the table when a new process commences.
>> UN must give assurance to upgrade TC side’s status if the new process fails.
>> The GC side has to acknowledge that the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees is indispensable for the TCs.
>> Any solution to be reached in Cyprus must be on the basis of sovereign equality.
>> TCs must not be relocated as a result of any agreement reached on the territory chapter.
>> TCs must have the clear majority in population & property in the territories under TC control.
>> All human rights issues including freedom of movement & freedom of settlement need to be solved on the basis of the realities on the island & sovereign equality.
>> A balance between Turks and Greeks should be ensured both in East Med & on the island on every issue.
>> TC side is ready to engage in any cooperation with the GC side on the basis of reciprocity with the aim of increasing the welfare of both communities.
>> The TC side is ready to include the GC side in collaboration projects with the understanding on the basis of win-win for both sides.
>> TC side is ready and willing to cooperate on matters like natural disasters, migration & exchange of suspects with the GC side.
>> TCs’ goal is to be part of the EU & this goal will be an important aspect in all our efforts.


They embraced each other after 56 years

Yenidüzen
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

Yenidüzen on Sunday in an exclusive gave room to the story of the reunion of 92-year-old Greek Cypriot doctor Mihalis Psiloinis and his Turkish Cypriot patient Sultan Yıkıcı, 56 years after saving her life and delivering his child.

The two had first met under the conditions of war and intercommunal fights in January of 1964 when the Greek Cypriot doctor risked his life to travel to the Turkish Cypriot village of Bozdağ (Agios Theodoros) to save the life of Sultan Yıkıcı and deliver her son Cengiz Yıkıcı.

They were recently reunited at a family gathering in Yeni Erenköy (Yialousa) where they hugged and embraced each other.

Both were extremely happy and excited about meeting up so many years later.

Sultan Yıkıcı said: “This doctor is the man who saved me and my son. I am extremely happy to see him today to thank him once again. He is a brother to me.”

Doctor Mihalis Psiloinis talked about the war conditions and how he negotiated with the soldiers on duty to get to Sultan Yıkıcı during the interview with Yenidüzen.

“I took two patients to the hospital in Poli but returned with three. I had Sultan, her newborn baby and her husband with me in my car,” Psiloinis said as he recalled the event which took place 56 years ago.

He also said he had negotiated for the release of 13 Greek Cypriot prisoners who had been detained at Bozdağ (Agios Theodoros) by Turkish Cypriot fighters. Psiloinis said he had negotiated their release in exchange for information about two Turkish Cypriots who were taken as prisoners in Pyrgos.

“I crammed all 13 Greek Cypriots into my car and managed to drive back with them… the birth of one saved the lives of 13.”

Psiloinis noted that he had inquired long and hard for the two Turkish Cypriots Lütfi Celül and Saydam Hüsnü but said they were still missing.


“We have one nation with a common future”

Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The Third Community Forum Association has been founded with the aim of contributing to efforts to find a lasting solution and to prevent permanent secession of the island and to form a new force against escalating nationalism, Yenidüzen reported on Sunday.

“A grassroots approach is needed to reach peace without further delay,” Ayşemden Akın, a founding member said during the association’s launch ceremony on Saturday.

She added that it was a waste of time to leave efforts for finding peace on the island to the leaders and to the politicians. “The citizens need to take on the initiative because we have one nation with a common future,” she added. 

Reading out the association’s declaration of establishment, Akın said it had not been possible to develop the identity of a common nation throughout the island’s history due to the pressures of ethnic nationalism which was prevalent on both sides of the island.

“Nationalists groups on both sides derive their existence from discriminating against each other,” she added.

Akın said it was not adequate to wage the struggle to reach the desired peace in separate ethnic groups.

“Instead we have to be a new ‘us’ against nationalism and the threat of secession,” Akın stressed.

Akın said the Third Community Forum will be modern, democratic, secular, pluralist and will work for a federal Cyprus.

The Third Community Forum Association will also work towards developing empathy among the communities.


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