Front Page Headlines
Exploitation
The Minister of Labour and Social Security Faiz Sucuoğlu spoke about the foreign workers who complained to the police about the squalid conditions they are being forced to live in, who are not registered and who have had their passports seized. “Those who have been mistreated will be paid their owed wages,” he said. Yenidüzen who went back yesterday to the construction site where the workers work observed that the conditions have not changed and that the related government departments have not done anything. It has been reported that the Bars’ Association and the Human Rights Foundation have been talking to the workers and investigating the matter. A Bangladeshi worker who spoke to Yenidüzen claimed that they were constantly beaten and threatened of being sent back to their countries.
You will die if you do not have ₺700
An elderly person in the TRNC who was unable to pay her electricity bill died after KIBTEK (TC Electricity Authority) Board Director Erdal Onurhan’s refused to reconnect her power until a payment was made. Despite her pleas with the minister, board members, and directors within the KIBTEK, her request was rejected. She passed away after her oxygenator stopped working due to the power cut.
- Özersay: “There are no new decisions or steps taken on Maraş (Varosha).”
- Erhürman: “Turkish Cypriots must maintain the basis to talk with Turkey and the world.”
- Tatar: “We are determined to open Maraş (Varosha).”
Fear of unexploded ordnances
The firing ranges are places where civilians carry out farming. Many of the military firing ranges are located near farming fields or farms. Farmers, who sometimes find unexploded ordnances in their fields, are scared of the situation and demand measures safeguarding their safety.
- Tatar: “Opening of Maraş (Varosha) will significantly contribute to the economy.”
- UBP MP Hasipoğlu: “The first step in Maraş (Varosha) is to lift its military zone status.”
They cleaned outside the parliament
“No road tax if no roads” group held a protest outside the parliament on Tuesday. The protestors, who condemned the government’s and MPs’ callousness to problems, poured detergent and cleaned the pavement in front of the parliament building.
- Religious cult, foundation, congregation – KTÖS (TC Teachers’ Union) harshly criticized the latest development of “Maarif (Turkish Education Foundation) schools to be opened in the north”, which Havadis reported on its headline yesterday (on Tuesday).
He terrorised them
Fırat Karataş who threatened to kill a man and his pregnant girlfriend over money owed to him before forcing them to sign debt papers will not serve a three and a half year prison sentence.
- Under observation – US spy planes flying over the Yavuz drillship.
- He said he was a hunter – 154 hunting rifle cartridges, a stick and three knives were found in the trunk of the car of a Greek Cypriot man at the Metehan (Agios Domethios) crossing point.
- ‘Joint message’ – The French Minister of Defence Florence Parly visits South Cyprus.
Protest with detergents
The group “No road tax if no roads” staged a protest in front of parliament. Police did not allow the protestors who set out from Haspolat (Mia Milia) with their cars to drive up to the parliament building. The protestors hung yellow balloons and signs on their cars with slogan protesting politicians.
- Maraş (Varosha) statement from the US – Opening Maraş with unilateral steps will not contribute to the restart of negotiations.
- Maraş (Varosha) new opportunity for profiteering – Bağımsızlık Yolu (Independence Road): Preparations are being made to open Maraş (Varosha) for construction in a way that will whet the appetite of AKP (Justice and Development Party) supported construction companies.
Main News
Our biggest strength is to be able to shape Turkey’s Cyprus policy
Kıbrıs Postası
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory, External Security
OVERVIEW
“Our biggest strength is to be able to shape Turkey’s policies on Cyprus,” Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister and independent presidential candidate Kudret Özersay said on Tuesday.
Speaking on a news programme on HaberKibris web TV, Özersay responded to the criticisms directed at the government’s initiative on Maraş (Varosha).
He said that those who called on the government to fully implement the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution should read it before saying anything because the same resolution says that the exchange of ambassadors between the TRNC and Turkey unlawful.”
“Should we fully implement the said UNSC? Should we close down the Turkish Embassy in north Nicosia?” Özersay asked.
He went on to say that he successfully prevented the UNSC from adopting a new resolution on Maraş (Varosha) upon a request from the Greek Cypriot side.
“We have managed to convince the UNSC in our favour because we had a logical explanation for our actions,” Özersay noted.
The second accomplishment, Özersay said was more important.
“We have managed to persuade a hesitant Turkish government to re-open the fenced-off town under Turkish Cypriot administration without disregarding or any detriment to the property rights of the town’s former residents,” Özersay said.
“As the Turkish Cypriot people, it is our biggest strength to shape Turkey’s policies both on the Cyprus problem and in the Eastern Mediterranean with our knowledge, creativity and new ideas,” Özersay stressed, adding that Maraş (Varosha) was the best example of this.
Özersay, criticising circles calling for the fenced-off town to be reopened under the UN’s control in accordance with international law said these calls were being made those who had been in power in the past and who had an elected president.
“Nonetheless, they kept Maraş (Varosha) closed during their term and were in violation of the said UNSC resolutions,” Özersay added.
Özersay said he had advocated for the opening of Maraş (Varosha) during his 2015 election campaign and people had laughed at him regarding his promise to open the fenced-off town if elected.
“However, today almost everyone says the town should be re-opened or are at least are not opposed to the idea,” he said.
“I still believe that Maraş (Varosha) can be opened under the Turkish Cypriot administration by returning the properties to former residents without bringing any harm to the property rights of the Evkaf foundation,” Özersay said.
He added that the military status of the area would be lifted to allow the property disputes to be solved through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).
Commenting on the criticisms regarding the roundtable meeting held on Saturday, Özersay said there is only one decision the government had adopted so far which was to carry out an inventory study in the fenced-off town.
He added that the roundtable meeting was not a part of or continuation of the government’s decision.
“The inventory study is still underway and no new decisions had been adopted on Maraş (Varosha). As I have repeatedly said before, no new decisions can be taken before the presidential elections,” Özersay stressed.
He also mentioned that the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Engineering will be completing the final section of the inventory study on the conditions of the buildings.
Responding to a question on the issue of guarantees, Özersay argued that “the issue of guarantees is perhaps the only issue where the Turkish Cypriots have a consensus on.
He added that the Turkish Cypriots people were in favour of the continuation of the guarantees.
“This is exactly what I am advocating for. Nonetheless, I am also advocating that the system of guarantees can be discussed creatively,” Özersay said.
He stressed that the guarantees system must be effective and an actual mechanism. He argued approaches such as the European Union (EU) or the UNSC intervention cannot provide effective guarantees.
Özersay, responding to a question about the map submitted in Geneva during discussions on the territory chapter in the negotiations, said it was wrong to exchange maps unless the negotiations process reached a certain stage.
“In terms of the methodology of the negotiations processes, it would a mistake to share any maps with your interlocutors as one would be showing the other side the limits of their flexibility.
When the map was submitted at such an early stage in the process, the Turkish Cypriot side put itself in a disadvantageous position,” he argued.
Özersay, however, added he did not plan on running an election campaign based on the mistakes of his rivals.
“I believe everyone has seen what a grave mistake it was to submit the map, when the Greek Cypriot side had decided to abandon the talks which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Crans Montana process,” Özersay noted.
On Tuesday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister and National Unity Party (UBP) presidential candidate Ersin Tatar said that the government was determined to re-open the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha).
Addressing a group of supporters, he added the opening of the fenced-off town will contribute significantly to the Turkish Cypriot economy.
Speaking on the upcoming elections, Tatar said he will maintain close relations with Turkey when elected.
“We will adopt active politics and will continue to protect our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. We will also open Maraş (Varosha) together with Turkey,” Tatar said.
In the meantime, speaking to Sputnik news agency, former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergün Olgun argued the decision to re-open Maraş (Varosha) aimed at forcing the Greek Cypriot side to collaborate with the Turkish Cypriot side.
“The decision to open the town will be an important catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem,” Olgun said.
Olgun argued that the Greek Cypriot side benefits greatly from the status quo on the island while refusing to share the wealth or power with the Turkish Cypriots.
“The Greek Cypriot side, on the one hand, refuses to give up its advantageous position on the island as the internationally recognized entity and uses its status against the Turkish Cypriots at the same time. This is the reason why the negotiations processes have failed,” Olgun argued.
He gave the example of the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral hydrocarbon activities.
Olgun noted the international community has started to question the Greek Cypriot side’s rights over hydrocarbons and their activities following the Turkish Cypriot side’s reciprocal moves.
“The Maraş (Varosha) move should also be seen in this regard,” Olgun urged and argued that the re-opening decision would put pressure on the Greek Cypriot side.
He recalled that there had been many proposals for the return of Maraş (Varosha) to the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiations processes. “Nonetheless, it was not possible due to the Greek Cypriot side’s rejectionist attitude,” Olgun said.
He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want the former residents of Maraş (Varosha) to be held hostage by the Cyprus conflict.
“The opening of Maraş (Varosha) will not only create economic opportunities for both sides but it will also open new doors politically and socially. All Cypriots will benefit from the reopening,” Olgun concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> Biggest strength is to be able to shape Turkey’s policies on Cyprus.
>> UNSC was dissuaded from adopting a new resolution on Maraş (Varosha) upon the request of the GC side.
>> Maraş (Varosha) can be opened under the TC administration by returning the properties to former residents & without any harm to the property rights of the Evkaf foundation.
>> The military status of the area would be lifted to allow the property disputes to be solved through the IPC.
>> “The inventory study is still underway & no new decisions have been adopted on Maraş (Varosha).
>> Guarantees are possibly the only issue which the TC people have a consensus on.
>> The system of guarantees can be discussed creatively.
>> Approaches in support of EU’s or UNSC’ intervention instead of existing mechanism cannot provide effective guarantees.
>> No maps should be exchanged until the final stage of talks.
>> TC side put itself in a disadvantageous positionwhen submitting its map at an early stage in the process because it showed the extent of its flexibility.
Tatar (UBP)
>> We will re-open Maraş (Varosha).
>> The opening of the fenced-off town will contribute significantly to the TC economy.
>> If elected, we will adopt active politics, protect our rights in the East Med. and open Maraş (Varosha).
“Relations with Ankara must be based on right ground,” says CTP leader
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis
Governance & Power Sharing, Regional/International Relations, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman has stated that a policy based on an approach that will not increase mutual tensions with Ankara is significant.
“There is no need for us to agree with Turkey on every issue, but the current conditions make it necessary to establish harmonious and good relations with Turkey on the right ground,” Erhürman told Turkish and international journalists on Monday at a press meeting as part of his visit to Istanbul.
He also noted that the right ground in relations with Ankara is to have a self-sufficient economy and a democracy that stands on its own feet.
“We want it to be known that Turkish Cypriots have their own culture, identity and struggle for existence and concerns about it,” Erhürman said.
The CTP leader also highlighted the importance of solving all problems faced through diplomacy.
Speaking about Saturday’s roundtable meeting on Maraş (Varosha) Erhürman criticized the timing and the implementation of the meeting.
Expressing that such a meeting was “not suitable” shortly before the election to be held on April 26, he stressed that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı was not invited to the meeting.
He also pointed to the necessity of solution formulas that don’t contradict international law.
Stating that he did not find other alternatives put forward like a two-state solution realistic, Erhürman reiterated that the right ground for Cyprus would go through a comprehensive solution based on a bicommunal and bizonal federation (BBF).
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> A policy based on an approach that will not increase mutual tensions with Ankara is significant.
>> No need to agree with Turkey on every issue but current conditions make it necessary to main harmonious relations with Ankara.
>> Right ground in relations with Ankara is to have a self-sufficient economy & democracy.
>> Timing of Maraş (Varosha) roundtable not suitable shortly before presidential elections.
>> Solution formulas on Maraş (Varosha) should not contradict int’l law.
>> Two-state solution to Cyprob unrealistic. The right solution is a BBF.
Maraş (Varosha) continues to dominate parliament’s agenda
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
Discussions in parliament on Tuesday continued to be dominated by the government’s initiative on the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha).
Addressing the plenary, CTP MP Asım Akansoy claimed that the public’s view on the subject was very different from that of the government.
Referring to Saturday’s roundtable meeting, Akansoy said it was a relief to see emphasis made during the meeting on the importance of not contradicting UNSC resolutions.
He recalled that the foreign minister had previously stated that they were not going to open Maraş (Varosha) but were only going to prepare an inventory.
“We need the foreign minister to provide us with some clarification following the latest statements made,” he added.
Akansoy warned that the Turkish Cypriot side needed to be careful so as not to lose the gains achieved in terms of international law.
That is why it is important to act together with the IPC, he said.
Akansoy also said that it would take at least five years and €5bn to restore Maraş (Varosha) to its former stature.
“I believe that the price of this Maraş (Varosha) adventure would be serious. I hope we will not lose what precious gains we have won through negotiations,” he said.
UBP MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu who also addressed Tuesday’s plenary argued that Maraş’s (Varosha) status as a military zone should be lifted.
He pointed out that no decision to open the fenced-off city had emerged from Saturday’s meeting.
Hasipoğlu said that Turkish Cypriots had no reason to wait on the issue of Maraş (Varosha) after having their proposals on the fenced-off city rejected on six different occasions.
He reminded that UN resolution adopted in 1984 called on Turkish Cypriot authorities to return the fenced-off city to its lawful residents.
“Since then 281 individuals applied to the IPC. 87 had been compensated, the remaining number is requesting their properties returned. No disagreements will remain once an amicable agreement is signed with the IPC. Such steps would be in accordance with international law,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Independence Road (Bağımzılık Yolu) party claimed that preparations were underway to open the fenced-off city in a manner which whets the appetite of contractor companies close to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) regime in Turkey.
It said that the ultimate plan was to let Turkish contractor companies come in and generate huge profits from the reconstruction of the town.
The party also claimed that the criticisms made against the roundtable meeting, its venue and the fact that President Mustafa Akıncı were not invited were all justified.
GC “hunter” arrested at Metehan (Agios Dometios)
Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
A Greek Cypriot man was arrested at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point on Tuesday after police discovered 154 hunting rifle shells, a stick and three knives in his car.
The man who appeared before a court the same day claimed he was a legal hunter and that he had forgotten the cartridges in his car.
Despite apologising to the court, he was sent to prison for no longer than 25 days pending his trial.