Front Page Headlines
D. Mamalikopoulos convenient as a “mastermind”
He was “arrested” in jail after testimony by 38-year-old suspect. Lifer has no financial means and no connections in Cyprus. Police says that he gave instructions through mobile phone from his cell in prison.
- Suggestion by Anastasiades for Varosha: Close the spigot
- (Front page photo of “Charles de Gaulle” aircraft carrier)
Indefinitely open ended
Damning Law Office opinion for legislative proposals to make (open ended contracts of state employees) permanent. Attorney General finds constitutional and other obstacles.
- What “F’s” lense saw on the aircraft carrier: Airplanes, helicopters and 2.000 soldiers – Cooperation with France consolidated and enhanced
- Letter from President to UNSG: Tragic consequences because of Varosha
- Resettlement plan ready for Morphou as well
Crisis smouldering in hotel sector
- American construction at old Bases hospital
- Mass production of electric cars in the occupied areas starts in 2021
‘My rights have all been abused’
Briton loses his appeal in defamation suit, vows to take case to ECHR.
- French aircraft carrier docks
- Cyprus: Foreign minister warns Turkish side they could lose EU funding
- World: UN says it fears Syria ‘bloodbath’, Russia denies mass fleeing
Behind Ag. Napa murder attempt: “Mastermind” inside Central Prisons
Lifer Mamalikopoulos suspected of being the person who organised the “hit”, guided the perpetrator with information and pictures and provided him with the weapon.
- G/C from Rizokarpaso: Vindicated because they took his property and gave it to others
Main News
RoC tells EU it wants to cut funds to T/Cs if Varosha opens
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, Property, Economy, Human Rights, EU Matters, Negotiations Process, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The RoC government has sent the message that it will not tolerate a unilateral resettlement of Famagusta’s fenced-off city of Varosha, and that it has asked the EU to freeze funds granted to the Turkish Cypriots if that were to happen, the dailies report.
Politis reports that President Anastasiades made these suggestions during the meeting of the European Council on the Multiannual Financial Framework. The newspaper quotes a statement by Anastasiades to Euronews, in which he says that this proposal should not worry anyone that follows international law.
He also said he is certain that Turkey and T/Cs will eventually not open Varosha and said that the EU will be increasing its measures against Turkey.
Anastasiades also stated that he does not believe that there will be a military incident in the Cypriot EEZ, pointing out that sometimes the military weakness of one side grants it a certain security and a diplomatic advantage.
The dailies report that Anastasiades also brought up these proposals during seperate meetings with European Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The proposal was first mentioned during the week in statements by government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios, and was confirmed on Friday by Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides.
Phileleftheros publishes extensive excerpts of Anastasiades’s letter to UNSG Antonio Guterres. In the letter, Anastasiades points out that the unilateral opening of Varosha would have “tragic consequences” on the prospects for a solution. He also notes recent actions and statements by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay during his visit to Varosha and during the conference organised with the T/C “government”, and notes that they contravene Security Council resolutions.
In his letter, cited by Phileleftheros, Anastasiades also informs the UNSG of his written proposal to T/C leader Mustafa Akinci for the creation of a bicommunal committee tasked with studying the process of resettling Varosha, with the participation of G/C, T/C and foreign experts.
Anastasiades also points out that in his proposal he suggests that the studies be funded by the EU and that the UN facilitate the process which would also entail a demilitarisation of the region.
Cyprus Mail reports that Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides confirmed on CyBC radio that Anastasiades had given this message to Von Der Leyen. He explained that Nicosia wanted to send the message to Turkey and some T/Cs that “with this behaviour, support from the Republic of Cyprus or the EU should not be considered a given”.
Christodoulides also said that Turkey’s behaviour affects the whole spectrum of EU – Turkey relations and that these relations are constantly being assessed.
He also said that the aid to T/Cs is given to reinforce efforts for a solution and noted that “any efforts that do not contribute towards this goal but promote another form of solution, they cannot go unnoticed”. He added that if these funds are approved, the RoC has a role and a say on how they will be used in the occupied areas.
Christodoulides also drew attention to the desire of the president of the European Council to take an initiative on the Cyprus Problem in cooperation with the UN, an iniative that includes the issue of Famagusta.
In a related development, Phileleftheros reports that the RoC’s Council for Reconstruction and Resettlement, which has been primarily tasked with studying the practicalities of a reopening of Varosha, has completed a report on the possibility of a resettlement of Morphou.
The council’s president, Nikos Mesaritis, notes in his report that Morphou, as well as Famagusta, was up to the last moment during the Crans Montana conference considered as one of the areas that could potentially be returned to G/C administration.
The council conducted a town planning study that takes into account the changes that have been made since 1974. The study includes proposals for the development of the town in the case of a solution. Mesaritis notes that there is currently no possibility of putting these suggestions into effect with the cooperation of the occupying regime.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Suggestion was made to the European Council that the EU should freeze funds for Turkey and the T/Cs if they proceed with the reopening of Varosha
>> The other side will probably not carry out its plans in the end
>> Not afraid of military conflict over EEZ since the military weakness of a side gives diplomatic advantages
Christodoulides (FM)
>> Support from the EU to Turkey and the T/Cs should not be considered a given if they move forward on Varosha
Mesaritis (Resettlement Council)
>> The council conducted a study on the town planning aspects of possible resettlement since Morphou was considered an area to be given to G/C administration until Crans Montana
>> There is no question of implementing any part of the study before a solution
Rizokarpaso former resident vindicated by north’s “ombudsman”
Alithia, Haravgi, Politis
Property, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the T/C “ombudsman” Emine Dizdarli’s ruling on the case of G/C Nicolas Kasapis from Rizokarpaso who had been living in the occupied areas between 1974 and 1988. Kasapis appealed to Dizdarli’s office over the “government’s” decision to give his house and fields to another person, despite the fact that his ownership of the property is recognised by the T/C authorities.
Kasapis had appealed to the “interior ministry” in February 2016 to no avail. The newspapers quote a story published on Thursday, on Yeniduzen‘s front page. Kasapis told Yeniduzen that he was threatened and forced to leave the north in the 1980s. Two properties belonging to Kasapis had been given to a person from Turkey during the period 1995 to 1998. The properties were then sold to a third person.
In her report, Dizdarli notes that Kasapi’s proprety could not be considered abandoned and that the G/C man has a “TRNC” identity card and had registered his property with the T/C authorities. According to Dizdarli, the T/C administration acted in an incorrect way and Kasapis should be compensated.