Front Page Headlines
President admits to political expediency
Contradictory statements on crossings, coronavirus and migration. Akinci sent letters to Antonio Guterres and the EU Commission. The parties are attributing political responsibilities for the staffing of the crossings.
- Nicos Nouris: Measures for the migration issue… asap
- The Orange (APOEL fans): They are adding insult to injury
- Halloumi: Legal battle over the BBQLOUMI
- Meetings and measures under the fear of a pandemic – The extraordinary council of the EU health minister convenes today.
- UN: Javier Perez de Cuellar died
- Russia-Turkey: They agreed on a new truce
Alarm in Europe
The coronavirus is spreading with the speed of light. The 27 health ministers meet today. Crossings remain closed until Monday. Thirty-one cases in Greece, universities remain closed.
- Discontent and question marks over UNFICYP – UNFICYP’s announcement is expected to be included in the UNSG’s next report. The TC leader sent letters to von Der Leyen and Guterres. Akinci was in the Ledra street area trying to electioneer on the closing of the crossing.
- The occupied areas are a money-laundering pit
- Second chance for the RoC on the Bulgarian pseudohalloumi
- 76% increase in asylum applications – Five axis (plan) on migration.
- Arrivals continue in waves – Towards an agreement for return.
- Greek-Turkish border – Conflict scenery and possible incident of provocation.
- Erdogan and Putin agreed on ceasefire in Syria
They violently harm the right to protest
The government’s policies against the citizens who participated in the protest last Saturday at Ledra street bring to mind other, bygone, dark times, with arrests for illegal gathering and riot… Official report by a citizen to the Attorney-general over attack by a police officer.
- Kato Pyrgos is in despair, UNFICYP is concerned
- (AKEL- Greece’s Communist Party) They are concerned over Turkish aggression
- Ceasefire in Idlib
UN ‘censure’ for closing crossings
Government on the defensive, insists closures all about virus, not politics.
- Health minister says thermal cameras at checkpoints are not recommended
- Political parties voice fears over spiralling migrant numbers
- Graffiti-free Square now defaced
Backing to the president
He convinced everyone except AKEL. All parties agree with the way Anastasiades handles the three flaming issues; closing of the crossings due to the coronavirus, settlement of the fenced-off town of Famagusta and the migration issue. The only exception is AKEL which, continues its opposition tactics, in isolation. The temporary closing of the crossings was extended until Monday when the measure will be reassessed.
- Halloumi VS BBQLOUMI: Preliminary victory – What did the EU Court decide.
- US on Cyprus: Positive report on money laundering
- Article: In the land of the absurd – AKEL, the crossings and the wastage subsidy (opinion piece).
- Cuellar: The maestro of silent diplomacy passed away
- Putin-Erdogan: They agreed on a ceasefire in Idlib
Main News
Government, parties unhappy by UNFICYP statement on crossings
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
CBMs, EU Matters, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The government announced that the four crossings will remain closed until Monday while most political parties expressed their dismay by the UNFICYP’s announcement over concerns about how this affects people in both sides, the dailies report on Friday.
President Nicos Anastasiades briefed political leaders during a National Council meeting on the latest developments on measures against the spread of the coronavirus, the migration issue and Varosha. Some, however, were not convinced the reason behind the closing of the crossings was not political.
According to the dailies, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced the decision to keep the crossings closed for three more days, until Monday, pending a new review, following a meeting of the National Council.
Earlier in the day, UNFICYP said in a written statement it was concerned over the “ongoing disruption caused to people on both sides”. “While the UN supports all effective measures to address any potential public health emergency, it is imperative for the two sides to coordinate closely in order to provide a comprehensive response,” it said. In this respect, the role of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health was critical and “should be utilised to the fullest”, it added. UNFICYP said the opening of the crossings since 2003 had allowed Cypriots freedom of movement across the island, contributing to a return to normal conditions and facilitating contact and interaction. “It remains essential that the sides preserve the dialogue and coordination they have displayed in mutually agreeing to the opening of the crossings which have been an important confidence building measure between both communities for the last 17 years,” the statement concluded.
Government spokesman Kyriakos Koushios said in response that the measures aimed at preventing the spread of a disease that may develop into a pandemic. Attributing any political dimension to the closures was wrong, he said.
He also said that UNFICYP has expressed specific positions recognising the right of the Republic of Cyprus to protect its people on health issues and this is exactly what the Republic of Cyprus has done.
Koushios said the statement had stressed the importance of contacts between the two communities, and in this case the government had acted within the parameters of protecting both communities. “A responsible government must take precautionary measures. The government has therefore taken specific precautionary measures to protect both communities,” he said.
He also pointed out that there are five other crossing points and that contact between the two communities or visits from the free areas to the occupied and vice versa has not been severed in any way.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou too defended the government’s decision to temporarily close the four crossings arguing they did not have enough medical staff to carry out effective checks for the virus in all the checkpoints, airports and ports. On the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, Ioannou said its role is strictly advisory. “We take the political decisions, we are responsible for protecting public health, and we will be held accountable if something was not done correctly and not the bicommunal committee,” he said, according to the papers.
Most parties agreed with the government decision to close the crossings while also expressing their disagreement with the UNFICYP announcement.
Ruling DISY leader Averof Neophytou said he did not get the impression that there was a political undertone to the government’s decision. He said his party stands by and support the government in its efforts to increase control measures for the coronavirus, whether it concerns airports, ports or crossings but would like to see the crossings open so that the other side would no longer have any political arguments.
AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said there had been “an acknowledgement” that it was a political decision to suspend operations at four checkpoints. He added that the measure was not suggested by scientific experts. He also said that the GC side should be concerned that UNFICYP is criticising it for the “unilateral action’ the government has taken.”
DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos said that if indeed the reason behind the closures was the lack of staff necessary to carry out the checks the government has correctly gone ahead with the closures.
He raised in issue however on the fact that there was no preparation beforehand so that these crossings were adequately staffed so that their closure would not be deemed necessary and allow the TC side to exploit this.
Papadopoulos disagreed with the UN statement. He said the 2004 EU Green Line Regulation that is designed to facilitate trade between the two sides, stipulates that the Republic of Cyprus has the sovereignty to act as it did for reasons of public interest.
The heads of the Citizens’ Alliance, Giorgos Lillikas, and of the Greens, Giorgos Perdikis said the government must not rush to open the crossings unless it is able to carry out effective screenings for the coronavirus.
Leader of the Solidarity Movement Eleni Theocharous, said the state is responsible for public health and restricting any epidemic and that she agrees with the measures taken though they could be harsher in all entry gates to the Republic.
ELAM leader Christos Christou reiterated that all crossings must close. He also said his party believes that all measures against the coronavirus must be intensified and mainly that all official entry points to the Republic are checked.
Phileleftheros reports that the UNFICYP announcement disgruntled the government because it comes after Akinci’s meeting with UNSG Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar, and because the issue has now been politicised mainly because the peacekeeping mission intervened.
The government also believes that UNFICYP should not have called on the legal state which is member of the UN and EU to decide on such issues within the framework of a bicommunal technical committee, especially when the RoC must answer to European institutional bodies.
Nicosia also finds the reference to ‘freedom of movement across the island’ and that the opening of the crossings since 2003 contributed to a return to normal conditions problematic arguing that this overlooks that the Cyprus problem remains unsolved and the diving line is still in place. This indicates that there is no normal situation on the island, according to Nicosia, Phileleftheros reports.
It adds that the government feels the UN did not exhibit the same ‘sensitivity’ on the Turkish side’s actions as regards Spitfire and Strovilia.
Nicosia also believes that Spehar is behind this announcement which is expected to be included in the next report of the UNSG, Phileleftheros reports.
Politis, in its main item, reports that the contradictory statements-actions by Anastasiades hint that the decision to close the crossings was due to political reasons despite that the government has been declaring the opposite.
The daily reports that one cannot ignore the fact that the government had attempted to implement additional measures such as checking the IDs of those crossing from the free to the occupied areas, a measure that has ceased to apply from the first day after Akinci’s complaint to Anastasiades.
It is worth noting that this measure is part of the changes that the Republic would like to apply to the framework for the implementation of the Green Line Regulation which has yet to be submitted and approved by the Commission.
The daily also reports that some persons said that during the past few days they are not allowed to go to the Home for Cooperation with their vehicles despite they were able to do so in the past, which is also an issue the Republic wants to implement along with the new changes.
Cyprus Mail reports that the UN’s rare intervention that was embarrassing for the GC side, inveiled diplomatic language appeared to censure the closures that were implemented last Saturday. But the presidential palace dug its heels in following the written statement from UNFICYP that effectively took the same line as TC leader Mustafa Akinci who has described the move as a mistake and believes the bicommunal technical committee on health was the way the two sides should have jointly handled the coronavirus threat. Although the UN did not specifically use the word ‘mistake’ in the same way as Akinci, its statement was clear and came the morning after a meeting UNFICYP, the daily reports.
KEY ACTORS
UNFICYP
>> Concerned by theongoing disruption caused to people on both sides arguing that while it supports all effective measures to address any potential public health emergency, it believes the two sides ought to coordinate to provide a comprehensive response.
>> Believes the role of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health should be utilised to the fullest.
>> It is important for the two sides to preserve the dialogue and coordination they have displayed when they agreed to the opening of the crossings, an important CBM, which allowed Cypriots’ freedom of movement across the island & contributed to a return to normal conditions and facilitated contact and interaction.
Koushios (RoC spokesperson)
>> Closing the crossings aimed at preventing the spread of a disease that may develop into a pandemic. It would be wrong to give this issue political dimension.
>> Points out that five other crossing points remain open thus contact between the two communities has not been severed in any way.
>> UNFICYP recognises the right of the RoC to protect its people on health issues and this is exactly what the RoC is doing.
>> The government acted within the parameters of protecting both communities by taking precautionary measures.
Ioannou (Health Minister)
>> The role of the Technical Committee on Health is strictly advisory whereas it is the government, which is responsible for protecting public health, that takes the political decisions.
>> If something went wrong, it is the government that will be held accountable & not the bicommunal committee.
Neophytou (DISY)
>> Does not believe closing the crossings has a political undertone but stresses the need for the crossings to open to stop giving the TCs political arguments.
>> DISY supports the government in its efforts to increase control measures for the coronavirus, whether it concerns airports, ports or crossings
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> The government acknowledged it was a political decision to suspend operations at four checkpoints & that it was not backed by scientific evidence.
>> The GC side ought to be concerned that UNFICYP is criticising its unilateral action.
Papadopoulos (DIKO)
>> If indeed the crossing closures were due to lack of staff necessary to carry out the checks the government has acted correctly. On the other hand, the government should have been proactive on the staff issue to avoid closures & allow the TC side to exploit this.
>> Disagrees with the UN statement arguing that the Green Line Regulation stipulates that the RoC has the sovereignty to act as it did for reasons of public interest.
Lillikas, Perdikis (Citizens’ Alliance, Greens)
>> The government must not rush to open the crossings unless it is able to carry out effective screenings for the coronavirus.
Theocharous (Solidarity Movement)
>> Agrees with the measures taken though they could be harsher in all entry gates to the RoC, arguing that the state is responsible for public health & restricting any epidemic.
Christou (ELAM)
>> All crossings must close.
>> Wants more measures against the coronavirus mainly more checks in all official entry points to the RoC.
Party leaders call for more measures against Turkish plans on Varosha
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Property, Human Rights, Territory, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Cyprus Mail and Alithia report on the statements by political leaders on Varosha after being briefed by President Nicos Anastasiades at the National Council on the government’s moves in response to Turkey’s actions as regards the fence-off town.
DISY leader Averof Neophytou said Turkey’s illegal activities that aimed at the settlement of Varosha, ought to be dealt with “with all the political weapons in our possession”. He warned that if Turkey brings in settlers to Varosha, almost all hope for territorial adjustments as part of a solution will vanish.
AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said that Turkey’s actions were unacceptable and in violation of the 1979 agreement between then leaders Spyros Kyprianou and Rauf Denktash and the UN resolutions. “The aim of these actions is to further deepen the faits accomplis and to serve their purpose which is permanent partition of the island.” Kyprianou said everyone must act and call on the international community to intervene to stop the Turkish aggression. He added that the best way to tackle this was to resume substantive negotiations focused on reaching a solution as soon as possible.
Head of DIKO, Nicolas Papadopoulos said that he agrees with the government’s actions that include letters to UN member states, he found they were not satisfactory enough to counter Turkish plans. He said that his party has brought back his father’s, late President Tassos Papadopoulos, proposal for the opening of the Famagusta port under EU supervision in exchange for the return of Varosha to its legal residents. “We believe that this is the right moment to bring back this proposal which had also been adopted by the EU itself,” Papadopoulos said.
Phileleftheros reports that not much attention was paid to the issue of Varosha at the National Council since the latest developments as regards the crossings and the migration issue have overshadowed the matter.
KEY ACTORS
Neophytou (DISY)
>> Believes Turkey’s illegal activities that aim at the settlement of Varosha, ought to be dealt with, with all the political weapons in the GC side’s possession.
>> Warns that if Turkey brings in settlers to Varosha, almost all hope for territorial adjustments as part of a solution will vanish.
Kyprianou (AKEL)
>> Turkey’s actions aiming at the permanent partition of the island are unacceptable and in violation of the 1979 agreement between the then Cypriot leaders & the UN resolutions.
>> Calls on everyone to mobilise & and call on the international community to intervene to stop the Turkish aggression.
>> Believes that the best way to resume the talks to reach a solution as soon as possible.
Papadopoulos (DIKO)
>> Agrees with the government’s actions on Varosha but believes they are not effective as regards countering Turkish plans.
>> Re-pitches the late President Tassos Papadopoulos’ proposal for the opening of the Famagusta port under EU supervision in exchange for the return of Varosha to its legal residents.
Remote community wants crossings to open
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
CBMs, Human Rights, Economy
OVERVIEW
According to the dailies, the community of Kato Pyrgos in the Tylliria area said the temporary closing of some of the crossings has made their lives very difficult and called for the opening either of that of Astromeritis or Lefka.
Arguing that they rely heavily on the Astromeritis and Lefka crossings, the leader of Kato Pyrgos, called on the government to open at least one of the two since Kato Pyrgos residents working in the Astromeritis area are now forced to travel double the distance since they are forced to cross through Ayios Dometios.
Cleanthous also said that the TC side does not allow them to bring their goods to Nicosia through the Ayios Dometios crossing. As a result, producers of fruit and vegetables and charcoal and firewood sellers are forced to commute to Nicosia through the mountain road or through Paphos which adds to their costs and hardship.
He also said that pupils who take afternoon classes in Astromeritis were not able to go this week after the closure.
Two more arrested over last week’s Ledra street protest
Cyprus Mail, Haravgi
Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that two more people were arrested in connection with their participation last Saturday at the protest at the Ledra street crossing and were charged with participating in illegal gathering and riot.
Haravgi, in its main item, reports that the government’s policies are targeting the people who participated in the protest which brings to mind bygone, dark eras.
The two people who were recently charged, Miltos Katsambas and Chrystalla Kyriacou, told the daily they decided to take part to the protest against the government’s decision to temporarily close the crossings.
Katsambas said police officers went to his work place asking him to present to the CID threatening they would arrest him if he didn’t. Kyriacou went to the police station on her own initiative.
Haravgi also reports that the government’s move to close the four crossings has emboldened far-right elements arguing that the government is in fact the moral instigator of APOEL fans’ nationalist march in favour of the closing of all crossings.
The APOEL fans chanted racist and nationalist slogans but also offensive ones against TCs, the daily reported. The question is whether the protesters were truly guarded by the police, because, except from their nationalistic rant the fans also wrote slogans on Eleftheria Square, the paper reported.
Cyprus Mail reports that police confirmed two more persons were arrested and charged amidst calls that they should instead turn their attention to the march by APOEL fans on Wednesday evening over possible inflammatory speech.
The paper reported that many on social media argued that the protest on Wednesday by a group of APOEL supporters at the Ledra Street should also be subject to investigation over hate speech.
It also cites police spokesman Christos Andreou explaining that while it is not illegal for the public to protest, it is illegal if they gather with the aim of disturbing the peace or commit this offence even if this was not their initial intention.
Exhibition of returned art works organised
Alithia, Phileleftheros
Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The State Gallery of Contemporary Art (SPEL) will hold an exhibition between March 14 and April 30 with the 219 works of art returned to the GC community as part of the exchange of paintings of GCs and recordings of TC artists following the confidence-building measure agreed between the two leaders last year.
The exhibition, titled ‘Xanagennisi’ (Rebirth), includes very important works of art by GC and Greek artists from the beginning of the 20th century until the early 1970’s.
Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou will inaugurate the exhibition on behalf of President Nicos Anastasiades on March 14, the dailies report.