Front Page Headlines
An affront to humanity
250 unregistered foreign workers marched to the Police Headquarters in Nicosia complaining of not being paid their wages. “Come and see the conditions we have to live in,” they said. A real human tragedy was revealed after Yenidüzen visited the squalid accommodation the workers are forced to live in. The company for which the workers work for denied the allegations that the workers were not being paid or that it did not register them with the labour department.
- 25 rounds fired at ‘showdown’ in Agia Napa
- “Seven out every ten Turkish and Greek Cypriot still desire a solution” – The findings of the gender-sensitive socio-economic impact assessment report were announced yesterday (Monday).
The green area that falls per person is one-sixth of required standards
According to the World Health Organisation, 9m² of green area must be allocated per individual for a psychologically healthy community. The United Nation’s standard is 30 m² and the European Union’s (EU) is 26 m². However, according to Town Planning Department data, the allocated green area per person is 5.1 m² in Kyrenia, 4.2 m² in Famagusta. The department does not even have any data for Nicosia.
- The parliament debated Maraş (Varosha) – Members of the opposition parties spoke about the roundtable meeting held in Maraş (Varosha).
- “The presidency has not launched a single diplomatic initiative in the past two-and-a-half years” – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakın said.
- Saner: “We are looking into ways to conclude the election in the first round.”
- Özersay: “I will not imprison the Turkish Cypriots to the negotiations table.”
Water levels drop at Geçitköy (Panagra) dam
The decrease in water levels at the Geçitköy (Panagra) dam is visible now. The freshwater supplied from Turkey pours into the dam but the pipeline broke loose on 10 January. The repairs on the pipeline are continuing. Farmers in the area are concerned with the drop in water levels but the Undersecretary for the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Emirali Deveci said there was no need for concern.
- Tatar: “Shall we wait for another 50 years for Maraş (Varosha)? – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar responded to the questions posed by the opposition MPs regarding the roundtable meeting held over the weekend in the fenced-off town.
Maarif schools to be opened
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announces plans to open Turkey’s National Education Foundation schools in Famagusta and Kyrenia.
- Hopes for a solution continue – The results of the gender-sensitive socio-economic impact assessment of a comprehensive settlement have been announced.
The state cannot sit back and watch
Consumers pay ₺90 (approx €14) per kg of meat which is purchased from breeders for ₺30 (approx €4) per kg. Breeders say that the government must take measures to prevent butchers and supermarkets from selling meat three times the price they purchase it. Speaking to Diyalog, the head of the Livestock Breeders Association Mustafa Naimoğlulları said they opposed the idea of importing meat, claiming that the prices would not go down as expected but that breeders would be hurt in the process.
- “I will not give in to blackmail’ – Nicos Anastasiades said he was striving for a solution which will reunify the country and which will award Greek Cypriot refugees all their rights.
- The difference is six per cent – New poll results announced by Gezici claims that (Ersin)Tatar and (Mustafa) Akıncı will make it to the second round.
- The time has come – 84.4 per cent of the TRNC supports the re-opening of Maraş (Varosha)
The court jester
Basın-Sen hits back at the organiser of the Maraş (Varosha) roundtable-head of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations Metin Feyzioğlu who accused our newspaper and writers of being traitors and of serving Greek Cypriots. The President of Basın-Sen (Press Workers’ Union) responded to Feyzioğlu’s remarks by calling him a “court jester”.
Main News
The Maraş (Varosha) initiative must respect UNSC resolutions
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The roundtable meeting on Maraş (Varosha) held on Saturday dominated discussions in the Turkish Cypriot parliament on Monday.
Prime Minister and leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar addressing the plenary said that the Maraş (Varosha) initiative was a step forward.
He then asked whether if it would be right for Turkish Cypriots to wait for another 50 years to open the fenced-off town which had already been abandoned to its fate.
Tatar noted that the ultimate goal of the inventory study was to open the fenced-off town.
“The opening of Maraş (Varosha) under the Turkish Cypriot administration will have great (economic) benefits for the TRNC,” he argued.
Tatar also rejected claims the roundtable meeting held over the weekend had anything to do with the upcoming elections.
“We might not be included in international law. They might not be recognized internationally but the TRNC, despite all its problems, continues to grow,” Tatar said.
Tatar also said he welcomed the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay’s remarks during the roundtable meeting.
Responding to accusations for not inviting the president and the opposition parties to the roundtable meeting, Tatar said the meeting held on Saturday was the continuation of a previous one held in Ankara.
“I wanted everyone to be represented and to be present. I had asked the organisers Mr Metin Feyzioğlu and Mr Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu (UBP MP) to invite everyone. In any case, whatever had been discussed during the meeting has been recorded. We will all evaluate the findings together,” Tatar concluded.
Also speaking, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Asım Akansoy slammed the government’s actions on Maraş (Varosha) arguing that it had lost all seriousness in its approach to the issue.
He drew attention to the conflicting statements given by the two coalition leaders Ersin Tatar and Kudret Özersay on how the initiative will proceed once the inventory is completed.
Akansoy also reminded that a five-party conference will be convened following the elections in the north.
“No matter who wins the elections, s/he will have to sit at the negotiating table for the solution of the Cyprus problem in line with the United Nations (UN) parameters,” Akansoy stressed.
He also urged the Turkish Cypriot officials not to issue statements that are not in line with the UN resolutions or which might harm the comprehensive settlement process.
“It is vital to be careful about the steps to be taken on Maraş (Varosha). Not only must we remain within boundaries of international law but we must not go back on our existing positions either,” Akansoy added.
Erhan Arıklı, leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) and presidential candidate, argued that the Maraş (Varosha) roundtable meeting was being exploited for domestic political means.
“We made a mess of such an important meeting. I wish members of the opposition parties should have been invited to the meeting and they had been given the opportunity to express their opinions,” he said.
Arıklı also invited the Council of Ministers to immediately adopt a decision to lift the military zone status of the fenced-off town.
“This is nothing but a political issue and the government does not have the required will to open Maraş (Varosha). The government is putting on a show for the upcoming elections,” Arıklı claimed.
Arıklı also argued it was high time to re-open the town.
“If the TRNC is going to open the fenced-off city, it will be done so in line with UN resolutions and the European Union (EU) decisions. If we want the problems of the Greek Cypriot property owners to be solved, Maraş (Varosha) can only be opened in line with these decisions,” Arıklı stressed.
“Otherwise, the town will remain a hideout for snakes and rats for another 50 years,” he concluded.
Addressing the plenary, Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit also criticized the roundtable meeting, claiming it was a publicity stunt by the government to win votes for the election.
“A show was staged in Maraş (Varosha). Do not be part of attempts to bypass the office of the presidency and be willingly harming the reputation of the Turkish Cypriot community. The office of the presidency is the honour of the Turkish Cypriot community,” Özyiğit warned.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> The Maraş (Varosha) initiative is a step forward.
>> TCs should not be made to wait another 50 years to open fenced-off city.
>> The goal of the inventory study is to open the fenced-off town.
>> Opening Maraş (Varosha) under TC control will have great benefits for the TRNC.
Akansoy (CTP)
>> The government has lost all seriousness in its approach to the Maraş (Varosha) initiative.
>> No matter who wins the elections, s/he will have to sit at the negotiations table for the solution of the Cyprob in line with UN parameters.
>> TC officials should not issue statements that are not in line with the UN resolutions or which might harm solution efforts.
>> It is vital to be careful about the steps to be taken on Maraş (Varosha) as the TC side must not go back on its existing positions.
Arıklı(YDP)
>> If the goal is to solve the problems of the GC property owners, Maraş (Varosha) can only be opened in line with UN & EU decisions.
Özyiğit(TDP)
>> The roundtable meeting was a publicity stunt aimed at upcoming elections.
>> Office of the President should not be bypassed as it represents the TC community.
Gezici announces results of its latest poll
Diyalog
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The Turkish polling company Gezici, which surfaces every time there is an election in the north, announced the results of its latest poll on Monday.
However, the poll was mocked soon after its release for misspelling the name of National Unity Party’s (UBP) candidate Ersin Tatar.
According to the poll, which was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 4428 participants between 8-10 February, 35.2 per cent of the voters will vote for Ersin Tatar while incumbent president Mustafa Akıncı will receive 29.3 per cent of the votes.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) candidate Tufan Erhürman came in the third place with 17.4 per cent, followed by Kudret Özersay with 10.1 per cent, Erhan Arıklı six per cent and Sibel Siber (who isn’t a candidate) two per cent.
The poll also reveals that Tatar will win the election by receiving 53.1 per cent of the votes beating Akıncı who will receive 46.9 per cent of the votes.
Speaking at the press conference on Monday, the owner of Gezici Polling Company Murat Gezici said that Turkish Cypriot voters did not want a president who was at odds with Turkey.
73.9 per cent of the respondents said they disapproved of any candidate’s attempt to carry out an election campaign involving Turkey.
While 77.9 per cent of the respondents said they want to see a president who will work to solve the problems in the north, 61 per cent said the elected president must maintain good relations with Ankara.
The poll also revealed that a whopping majority of 84.4 per cent of Turkish Cypriots support the opening of Maraş (Varosha) and they believe that the opening of the fenced-off town would accelerate the Turkish Cypriot economy.
While 3.4 per cent said it should be returned to the Greek Cypriots, 12.2 per cent said the town should be kept as it is today.
On a question on the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees, 80.8 per cent of the respondents said they wanted the system of guarantees to remain in place as it is, whereas only three per cent want the guarantees to be scrapped.
6.4 per cent of the respondents said either the European Union (EU) or the United Nations (UN) should serve as a guarantor power on the island.
Asked whether they believed a solution with the Greek Cypriots was possible or not, 78.7 per cent of the respondents said they do not believe a solution was attainable compared to 18 per cent, who expressed the belief that an agreement will be reached.
Asked who they will vote for should there be a parliamentary election tomorrow, 41.8 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for the UBP followed by CTP with 21.9 per cent.
11.2 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for the People’s Party (HP).
9.6 per cent ticked the Social Democratic Party (TDP), 8.5 per cent ticked the Rebirth Party (YDP).
The Democratic Party (DP) barely made it over the election threshold with 5.4 per cent of the votes.
“I will not imprison the TCs to the negotiating table.”
Kıbrıs Postası
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“I will not imprison Turkish Cypriots to the negotiating table,” independent presidential candidate Kudret Özersay said on Monday.
Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası web TV, Özersay said that if elected, he will do his best in ensuring that the Turkish Cypriot youth are represented at every international platform.
“52 years have passed and I will not imprison the Turkish Cypriots to the negotiations table. We have to think of our youth, sports and economic resources as well,” Özersay noted.
He also said that the president-elect should not only focus on the Cyprus talks but should work on making the voice Turkish Cypriots heard across the world.
Meanwhile, the CTP’s General Secretary Erdoğan Sorakin also took a swing at President Mustafa Akıncı on Monday.
“The presidency has not launched a single diplomatic effort in the past two-and-a-half years,” Sorakın told Bayrak.
He pointed out that the only thing Akıncı did in the past two years was to visit New York to attend meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
“The process in Crans Montana failed to everyone’s disappointment. We expected the president to launch new diplomatic efforts to carry the process forward but the office of the presidency failed to adopt such a proactive stance,” Sorakın said.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> I will not imprison the TCs to the negotiations table.
>> If elected I will do my best for the representation of TC youth at int’l platforms.
>> The president-elect should not only focus on Cyprus talks but should also work to make TCs’ voice heard across the world.
Sorakın (CTP)
>> Akıncı has failed to launch a single diplomatic effort in the past two-and-a-half years.
>> The Crans Montana process failed to everyone’s disappointment.
Results of the gender-sensitive socio-economic impact assessment published
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Economy, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
“Respondents from both communities consider the highest potential benefit from a solution to be the return of properties, economic growth, territorial readjustments, the end of uncertainty and effective exploitation of hydrocarbons,” Special Representative and Deputy Special Advisor of the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG), Ms Elizabeth Spehar said on Monday.
Speaking at the launch of the event of the gender-sensitive socio-economic impact assessment report, Spehar noted the recent perception studies showed that seven out of ten Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots surveyed expressed their continued desire for a solution.
Following explaining the background to the gender-sensitive socio-economic research, Spehar said the assessment concludes that a comprehensive settlement, accompanied by appropriate, gender-responsive policies and institutions, will be an opportunity for greater economic growth for the island that can benefit men and women in both communities.
“Strengthened with supportive policies, existing gender barriers that limit women’s labour force participation can be reduced, which will result in a ‘bigger pie’ to be shared by men and women on both sides of the island at the time of the comprehensive settlement,” Spehar stressed.
She also noted that delaying a settlement came at an economic and non-economic cost that inevitably accumulated over time.
The report, which is penned by the World Bank together with the UNSG’s Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, also emphasized that the comprehensive settlement without the required policy changes might result in better outcomes than the status quo.
“Less positive and costlier outcomes are likely if the implementation of a comprehensive settlement is not accompanied by supportive policies and institutions,” the report stressed.
Pointing to the fact that access to greater markets is not an adequate criterion for economic success; the report underscored the need for the implementation of supportive policies.
“A settlement accompanied by supportive policies and institutions could result in the average annual real GDP growth rate increase by an additional 0.4 of a per cent in the Greek Cypriot community and by an additional 1.8 per cent in the Turkish Cypriot community,” the report stated.
The report also emphasised that a comprehensive settlement will generate investments in multiple sectors and primarily in infrastructure.
The report moreover pointed to the implementation phase of the investments and argued should the projects be implemented diligently across the island, they will become productive.
“They will be an investment rather than being a cost and will bring economic benefits throughout the island,” the report concluded.