TCC Press Review 12 Mar 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Cyprus on alarm

The number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases on the island has risen to seven. All corners of the island are being sprayed with disinfectants. The streets are empty and people are uneasy. Health Minister Ali Pilli says only one of five suspected cases have tested positive. The Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association Umut Öksüz: “people are swearing at pharmacists.”

Kıbrıs Postası

A Cypriot in quarantine: “Take coronavirus seriously”

Turkish Cypriot student Yağış Bey who is living in Milan, Italy currently under quarantine posted a video on Youtube. Informing viewers on what was going in Italy, he said the time was not to panic but to implement measures strictly.

  • All charter flights suspended, cancellation of regular flights from Europe on the agenda
  • Kaşif: “Charter passengers should be checked in Istanbul first”
  • Pilli: “There are no other cases in the country for the exception of the German tourist”

Kıbrıs

We’re scared to go out

Four new cases of coronavirus have been detected in South Cyprus raising the total number of cases to six. On the other hand, it has been announced that the German tourist is the only case in the TRNC. The panic and hysteria experienced the day before have died down but it has been observed that people are not going out and staying at home.

  • Tourism paralyzed – Some of the measures announced by the Council of Ministers to prevent the spread of coronavirus has angered tourism operators. The head of the Turkish Cypriot Tourism and Travel Agents’ Association (KITSAB) Orhan Tolun said that 30 old and 80 new reservations had been cancelled. “The hotels are empty,” he said. The head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers Association (KITOB) Dimağ Çağıner for his part said that measures taken shouldn’t stop life, commerce or tourism. “Just because we have one case doesn’t mean we should drop everything,” he said.

Havadis

We’re going to be experiencing shortages if it goes on like this

People who filled in their shopping carts following panic caused by fears of coronavirus emptied supermarket shelves in hours. Many products have run out of stock. People stocked up on dry legumes, disinfectants and cleaning products as well as flour. Both Turkey and the TRNC have run out of salinization gels and rubbing alcohol.

  • All charter flights to the TRNC suspended
  • Tests on a patient placed in quarantine come back negative –A patient placed in quarantine in Famagusta last night (Wednesday) tested negative for coronavirus.
  • Akıncı to chair the meeting –The cabinet will be holding an extraordinary session today (Thursday) after the country’s first coronavirus case was confirmed. Additional measures will be discussed.

Diyalog

There are enough stocks

Shelves at supermarkets which sold a month’s goods in just a day after consumers entered shopping frenzy over coronavirus fears were restocked the next day. Consumers have been told there is no need for panic. Toilet paper, disinfectants, canned foods, rice and sugar were among the most items purchased.

  • The panic is over –The public which bought all the toilet paper and disinfectant at supermarkets in Famagusta later stayed at home.
  • They are also Cypriots – Greek Cypriots who rushed to supermarkets bought Zivaniya as a substitute for disinfectants.
  • March-April will be bad – Greek Cypriot Tourism Undersecretary Savvas Perdios announced that holiday reservations will be cancelled in the next two weeks.

Afrika

Cases in the south reach six

Coronavirus which has gripped the world has disrupted life in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot Health Ministry announced the four new cases of coronavirus was detected in tests carried out by the Institute of Neurology and Genetics. Two of the cases were detected during checks at Larnaca Airport. The third person raised the alarm himself after experiencing a fever. The fourth person was found in self-isolation in his home.

  • Pharmacists declared scapegoats –Pharmacists’ Association complained that people were taking out their anger on the pharmacies. “The problems being experienced today is not the fault of the pharmacists or the Pharmacists’ Association but that of those who failed to take measures or to encourage domestic production. Some medical suppliers are exploiting peoples’ sensitivities. Supplies are now being sold on the black market in Turkey.”
  • Mustafa Akıncı: No need to stock up –“There is no need to stock up on food or to collect all the masks sold at pharmacies,” said Akıncı.
  • Ali Pilli: There are no other cases – Health Minister Ali Pilli said that there were no other cases in the TRNC other than the German tourist.
  • Supermarket Owners’ Association: Call hotline ALO 171 and file your complaint to the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans

Main News

No new cases reported in the north, authorities urge the public to remain calm

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

Panic, hysteria and chaos which gripped the north on Tuesday after the announcement of the first confirmed case of coronavirus (Covid-19) by Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli relatively subsided by Wednesday morning.

A day earlier, people had rushed to supermarkets and pharmacies stockpiling food and medical supplies.

Streets, supermarkets and shops in major cities and towns were relatively calm as it was observed that many people preferred to stay at home.

The Turkish Cypriot Supermarkets Owners’ Association on Wednesday reassured the public that there were enough stocks at supermarkets and no need for concern.

The association also warned consumers to report any supermarkets which were exploiting the situation or overcharging products.

A similar warning was made by the Turkish Cypriot Pharmacists’ Association.

Umut Öksüz, head of the association, said 72 complaints had been filed with the Trade Department on Tuesday regarding what he said were allegations profiteering by some pharmacies.

He said that the complaints would be investigated and added that prices of medicines or medical supplies could not be changed arbitrarily.

Turkish Cypriot authorities had issued new sweeping measures on Tuesday afternoon after news that a 65-year-old woman from Germany on holiday had tested positive for Covid-19.

The measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus included suspending charter flights from France, Germany and Italy until April 1, prohibiting groups of more than 10 from crossing from south to north for excursions or pilgrimages until March 15 and closing all educational institutions of all levels until Sunday.

The Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay announced on Wednesday night that the suspension of charter flights was extended to include all countries.

All school events and festivals have also been cancelled until March 15.

The hotels at which the German tourists are staying will remain in quarantine and which will gradually be lifted.

Special teams are also disinfecting main avenues, schools, checkpoints, tourist sites in the Famagusta area as well as at Ercan (Tymbou) airport and the prisons where visits have been postponed until March 16.

Authorities also locked down three hotels in which members of the group who travelled with the German woman were staying in.

Pilli speaking to Bayrak on Wednesday morning said that the patient was responding well to treatment.

He added there were no new cases of the virus and that all measures were in place.

Pilli said that in addition to tightening existing measures at crossing points and other entry points, health and municipal crews were spraying public spaces with disinfectants as part of precautionary measures.

Asked how thermal scans at Ercan (Tymbou) had failed to detect the woman’s condition upon arrival, Pilli said that the woman had developed a fever a day after arriving.

“She toured the sites quite a bit on Monday before feeling unwell on Monday night,” he said.

Five other persons tested negative, Pilli added.

Pilli also said that special teams have disinfected all three hotels where the group of German tourists who were on the same flight as the 65-year-old are staying.

Pilli added that there was no need to panic but that this did not mean they should let their guard down.

“We have the situation under control and we are prepared to deal with the virus,” he said.

The Turkish Cypriot health minister also said that two health experts had arrived from Turkey to assist health crews and experts.

He reassured the public that there was no shortage of medical supplies but reminded people that respiratory masks should be used by those who are sick.

Pilli recalled that the virus was not airborne and was contracted through contact.

Earlier on Tuesday, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that arrangements were being made to fly back the 141 German tourists who had travelled to Ercan (Tymbou) airport on the same flight with the 65-year-old patient who tested positive for Covid-19.

He said that they were working in cooperation with the German embassy in the south to arrange the flight back.

The 141 staying at three different hotels currently under lockdown were examined and none showed symptoms.

Yenidüzen, citing reliable sources on Wednesday, claimed that the 141 German tourists will be flown back to their country after they complete their 14-day quarantine period.

The cabinet will be meeting on Thursday for an extraordinary session to discuss additional measures to prevent the spread of the virus, it was announced on Wednesday.

The cabinet meeting will be chaired by President Mustafa Akıncı

Meanwhile, Akıncı on Wednesday repeated his message for calm.

In a video message posted online, Akıncı on Wednesday reiterated his message for calm, saying there was no need to panic urging everyone to follow the measures instructed by experts.

He said there was no need to stock up on food or medical supplies which was what many people had started doing after learning after the first confirmed case in the north.

“People who need to use masks are those who show symptoms of the virus. In other words, healthy individuals do not require masks. Those who do are people who may show signs of the virus such as sneezing or coughing to prevent it from spreading,” he said.

Akıncı added that this was what the World Health Organisation’s health experts were advising.

He also pointed out that currently there was only one confirmed case in the north.

“I am pleased to be informed that the results of tests conducted on the female patient’s husband and people around her have tested negative. We’ve also been receiving promising news from the south as all 182 suspected cases of the virus have been tested negative,” he said.

Akıncı added that they were in close contact with the authorities in the south as well as other health officials in the north and were informed of developments immediately.

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday said that the first rule of managing a crisis was to keep calm and not panic.

“Panic will not only help reduce the harm we may receive but will make the situation worse,” he said in a post on social media.

Erhürman argued that the threat of coronavirus should be dealt with inclusively.

“Unfortunately, the scenes which we witnessed yesterday (Tuesday) has shown us that we have not been successful in avoiding panic and mass hysteria,” he said.

The CTP leader said that it was important to manage the crisis from one centre rather than holding or issuing separate meetings and statements which was what Akıncı and the government were doing.

Meanwhile, the pro-solution activist group UniteCyprusNow (UCN) announced on Wednesday that it had suspended all mass demonstrations until further notice in light of the confirmation of coronavirus cases in Cyprus.

The group, in a written statement, also issued a call to both sides to cooperate closely against the spread of the coronavirus across the island.

“Now is the time for the sides to act responsibly for the health of all people on the island. For that reason, we call on both leaders, Mr Nicos Anastasiades and Mr Mustafa Akıncı, to mandate the longstanding bicommunal Technical Committee on Health to work in full, close and open cooperation to prevent the spread of the virus, to disseminate accurate information and to work on common safeguards,” the statement read.

It pointed out that the virus did not recognize any human-made divisions and that it was imperative, for the sake of everyone’s health on the island, for both sides as well as all authorities and stakeholders to cooperate and the civil society for joint action.

“We maintain our objection to the unilateral decision by the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) to close four crossing points. It was made without consultation with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, the European Commission (EC), which is responsible for alterations to the Green Line regulation(GLR), or the United Nations (UN),” the UCN statement added.

UCN pointed out that the decision to shut the four crossing points was imposed without taking any effective measures at Larnaca and Paphos airports, which was where the first two cases came from.

“We insist that all crossing points should be opened, under the same control conditions as other entry points. Any preventive measures should be taken based on scientific evidence alone. This will not only allow more people to be screened but also increase morale which has been badly damaged as a result of the recent developments,” it read.

UCN also said it would continue to cooperate with all civil society organizations for a peaceful, democratic and united Cyprus – this will be the guiding principle for all our actions.


UBP candidate Tatar calls for permanent partition

Kıbrıs Postası
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process, Energy, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and the National Unity Party’s (UBP) presidential candidate has called for permanent partition in Cyprus.

In an interview with the Financial Times published in Kıbrıs Postası’s Thursday edition, Tatar said years of peace talks to end one of Europe’s most intractable conflicts had led nowhere and called instead for deeper ties with the Turkish “motherland”.

Mr Tatar’s tough stance ahead of April’s election highlights a hardening of attitudes on both sides of Cyprus’s UN-controlled “green line” as regional tensions rise between Turkey and the EU on matters from Syrian refugees to Mediterranean energy resources.

Tatar denounced a decision by Greek Cypriot authorities late last month to temporarily close several crossing points to the north for the first time since they were opened in 2003, ostensibly to stop the possible spread of coronavirus. 

 “The reality of Cyprus is that we have two states living side by side. Nobody can deny this,” Tatar said, arguing that Turkish Cypriots had been “very, very unfairly treated” and made to feel they should “succumb” to the Greek Cypriot authorities who “believe they are the real masters of Cyprus”.

He insisted that he was prepared to negotiate and collaborate with his southern counterparts, but warned against “forcing a wedding”. 

“We want a Turkish Cypriot state,” he said, speaking in his office in north Nicosia.

“We don’t believe that after all these years we should be united in a federal republic where the Greeks rule the Turkish Cypriots. This is something we can never accept.” 

Regarding relations with Turkey Tatar said his policy was “always to get on well with Turkey” and praised the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for supporting projects including a new hospital and expanded water supply.

Asked what he disagreed with Mr Erdoğan on, he appealed only for “more economic support from time to time” for Northern Cyprus, which has historically been heavily reliant on Turkish aid. 

“Motherland Turkey has been with us at all the critical moments. We cannot exist without Turkish support,” he said.

Tatar added he planned to work with Turkey on drilling for hydrocarbons in waters off Cyprus, a move that triggered sanctions from the EU which says the activity is illegal.

He suggested that the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to close the crossing points was partly in retaliation for Mr Erdogan’s decision late last month to allow thousands of refugees to travel to the Greek border, provoking a bitter dispute with Brussels.

Having worked as an accountant in the UK as a young man, Tatar said his reputation had not been hurt by his former role as assistant treasurer at the collapsed UK conglomerate Polly Peck International.

The fruit-to-electronics empire of the Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir became a byword for 1980s corporate excess when it went bust in 1990 after claims of fraud. 

Mr Nadir fled to Northern Cyprus to escape criminal charges in 1993 but returned voluntarily to the UK in 2010.

He was found guilty in 2012 of stealing £29m from Polly Peck and jailed for ten years, after a trial in which prosecutors alleged others, including Mr Tatar, aided his activities.  

Tatar, who has never been charged with any offence, denied any wrongdoing over Polly Peck and said Mr Nadir – now a free man in Northern Cyprus – was not offering support to his political campaign.

“I was a very small fish, I couldn’t have done anything,” Mr Tatar said of his time at Polly Peck. 

Tatar, a Cambridge University graduate, stressed his links with the UK, which occupied Cyprus until 1960 and still has military bases in the south.

He expressed hopes that the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson might be able to play a mediating role in the Cyprus conflict, as part of efforts to improve relations with Ankara after Brexit. 

“He’s a popular man, he’s a courageous chap, he’s a brave man,” Tatar, who visited Britain last month, said of Mr Johnson.

“And Turkey is a very important country now outside of Europe. [Britain] is out of Europe. Therefore, things are a little bit moving in our favour.”

KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> The time has come for permanent partition following years of unsuccessful peace talks.
>> The reality of Cyprus is that there are two states living side by side.
>> TCs had been unfairly treated & made to feel they should “succumb” to GC authorities.
>> Negotiate & collaboration with the GC side is possible but forced marriage not possible.
>> The island cannot be united in a federal republic where the GC’s rule over the TCs.
>> Policy should be to always to get on well with Turkey.
>> TCs cannot exist without Turkey as Ankara has always supported TCs at critical moments.
>> Will work with Turkey on drilling for hydrocarbons in waters off Cyprus.
>> The GC side’s decision to close the crossing points is partly in retaliation for Erdoğan’s decision to allow refugees to travel to the Greek border.
>> The British PM Boris Johnson should be able to play a mediating role in the Cyprus conflict.
>> Johnson should improve relations with Ankara after Brexit as Turkey is an important nation outside Europe.
>> TCs can benefit from improved relations between Ankara & the UK.


TCs should elect a leader, not a negotiator, says Erhürman

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Kıbrıs Postası
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

“The Turkish Cypriot people will not elect a negotiator but the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community leader,” Tufan Erhürman, leader and presidential nominee of the CTP said on Wednesday.

During a campaign visit to Güzelyurt (Morphou), Erhürman said that even though the president-elect’s role was perceived as being the Turkish Cypriot community’s representative at the negotiations, it was high time that the Office of the President focused and tackled other issues of concern.

“The president needs to be a leader,” he stressed.

Erhürman said the CTP wanted to see a solution to the Cyprus problem and added: “We know what need to do.” 

“Immediately after the elections, the five-party conference must be convened and the Turkish Cypriot side needs to prepare well for it,” Erhürman said.

He highlighted the necessity for the Turkish Cypriot side to be in contact with all the relevant parties in advance so as not to repeat the mistakes made in Crans Montana.

He also drew attention to the possibility of not being able to reach the desired goal of reaching a settlement for reasons not related to the Turkish Cypriot side.

“It is very important for the Turkish Cypriot side to know what will happen if the efforts for a solution were to fail,” he said, repeating his view that the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community needs to adopt a proactive foreign policy to overcome pressing issues faced by the community.

Erhürman listed direct trade with the European Union (EU), Representation of Turkish Cypriot athletes at international competitions and relations with Turkey as some of those pressing issues.

Touching on the economic strife in the north, Erhürman warned of the risks posed for the Turkish Cypriot economy due to coronavirus epidemic and the closure of the crossing points.

“Under such circumstances, it is about time the president must be concerned about such developments. We are going backwards by decades instead of progressing,” Erhürman argued.

He also urged President Mustafa Akıncı to spearhead and coordinate efforts against the spread of the coronavirus and chair cabinet meetings as it was he who was being informed directly about developments in the south.

The data from the south must be combined with data available in the north before making any decisions.

“Nonetheless, we cannot even convince the United Nations (UN) now when there is chaos in the north. It is, for this reason, the coming five years will be crucial both for the solution of the Cyprus problem and if it is not solved, for fighting for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the international arena,” Erhürman concluded.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) and presidential candidate Erhan Arıklı said on Wednesday that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) was the Turkish Cypriot side’s strongest weapon.

Speaking on a programme on Kıbrıs Postası Web TV, Arıklı said that Turkey was prepared to provide funding for the IPC.

Arıklı, who evaluated the upcoming presidential elections, his rivals and the Cyprus Problem, said that incumbent President Mustafa Akıncı had nothing to show for his past five years in office.

He said his other rivals, such as CTP leader Tufan Erhürman was also not raising any new arguments concerning the Cyprus Problem.

Arıklı argued that Turkey no longer supported a federal solution in Cyprus but was in favour of a two-state solution.

“Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu made that very clear at a meeting during which Akıncı was also present. We must close the book on a federal solution once and for all and work towards promoting the TRNC and gaining recognition of the international community,” he said.

The YDP leader said that the option of a two-state solution must be put to a vote in a public referendum where the Turkish Cypriot people would exercise their right to self-determination.

“If the idea receives the support of the people we will take it to parliament for final approval. the United Nations and Greek Cypriot side also needs to be convinced,” Arıklı said.

He, however, added that it was essential to solve the property dispute before moving ahead for a two-state solution.

“The only way to achieve that is through the IPC. This is the strongest weapon the Turkish Cypriot side has. We can solve 80 per cent of property cases through the IPC. Turkey has made it clear it is ready to provide financial support,” he said.

KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> TCs will not elect a negotiator but the leader of their community.
>> The president-elect needs to tackle issues of concern for the community.
>> The president needs to be a leader.
>> The CTP wants to see a solution to the Cyprob.
>> A five-party conference must be called immediately after the elections.
>> The TC side needs to prepare well for the five-party conference.
>> The TC side to be in contact with all relevant parties in advance not to repeat mistakes made in Crans Montana.
>> The TC side needs to know what will happen if efforts for a solution fail.
>> The president-elect must adopt a proactive foreign policy to overcome pressing issues for the TC community.
>> Direct trade with the EU, int’l representation of TC athletes and relations with Turkey are among these pressing issues.
>> TC economy is faced with risks due to coronavirus epidemic & closure of the crossing points.
>> Akıncı must spearhead & coordinate efforts against the spread of the coronavirus.
>> The available data on coronavirus from both the south & north can only be combined through the Office of the President.
>> The coming five-year term will be crucial for the solution of the Cyprob & defending TCs’ rights.

Arıklı (YDP)
>> IPC strongest weapon TC side has. Turkey ready to provide funding for settling property cases.
>> Akıncı & other candidates having nothing to show or present no new arguments.
>> Ankara no longer supports a federal solution in Cyprus but favours a two-state solution.
>> Idea of a two-state solution should be put to the vote as TCs should exercise their right to self-determination.
>> TC side should seek international recognition & UN & GC side should be persuaded to accept this.
>> Property dispute needs to be solved in order to realize a two-state solution.
>> 80 per cent of property cases be settled through IPC.


The target was the Lokmacı crossing (Ledra St)

Kıbrıs Postası
Internal Security, Economy

OVERVIEW

Turgay Deniz, Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, claimed on Wednesday the Greek Cypriot administration had “specifically” targeted the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing point with its unilateral decision to close four crossing points.

Deniz, speaking on a programme on Bayrak, said the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing was the epicentre of commercial activity and was a trading door. 

He also noted that the TC Chamber had written a letter to the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) asking to collaborate and to implement joint measures against the coronavirus.

“Nonetheless implementing a unilateral decision to close four of the crossing points without even bringing it to the agenda of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health had raised questions on the Turkish Cypriot side on the motive of the decision,” Deniz said.

He argued that “this was nothing but a tactical move.”

Deniz said Lokmacı (Ledra Street) is the most convenient crossing point for both tourists and the Greek Cypriots to cross to the north for shopping making it the primary target.

“All the crossing points must be opened without delay,” Deniz concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Deniz (KTTO)
>> The GC side “specifically” targeted the Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing with its unilateral decision.
>> The Lokmacı (Ledra Street) crossing was the epicentre of commercial activity & was a trading door.
>> KTTO asked KEVE to collaborate and to implement joint measures against the coronavirus.
>> Implementing a unilateral decision to close four crossing points has raises questions about the motive.
>> The GC side’s unilateral decision is nothing but a tactical move.
>> All the crossing points must be opened without delay.


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