Front Page Headlines
Standing in attention
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay and Health Minister Ali Pilli paid a visit to the Turkish Army Corps Headquarters where they met with (Commander of Turkish Forces) Major General Sezai Öztürk: “28 family members of officers have arrived this week along with military personnel as an exemption. They have been placed in quarantine at a military facility.” However, there was no mention of Turkish Cypriot conscripts who haven’t been able to see their families for weeks and who haven’t been allowed to take leave.
- Republican Turkish Party leader (CTP) Tufan Erhürman: “We have workers working in the south, patients who receive treatment or who study at schools. The issue of crossings should be addressed.
- Turkish Lira in ICU – The Turkish Lira continues to lose value against foreign currencies yesterday (Thursday). The US dollar saw its highest value against the Turkish Lira in the last 22 months.
Ceased Print/Online only
Medicine stocks depleting
There is not a sector left untouched by the coronavirus pandemic. Many medicines especially those used to treat cancer patients have run out. The current medicine stocks are also depleting. Some of the medicine for oncology patients could not be delivered to the north due to the cancellation of flights from the UK. Ayşe Gökyiğit, head of the Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, said they had placed orders for the medicines running out but added they won’t be delivered before two weeks.
- Technology results in reduced employment – Hürrem Tulga, Coordinator of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans (KTEZO), said that businesses which have switched or upgraded their online services might lead to unemployment in the coming period.
- Lockdown could be imposed again if the rules are not followed – Everyone was out on the streets when the restrictions were lifted partially. Sibel Siber, the head of the Prime Ministry Covid-19 Coordination Council, said not adhering to hygiene, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing rules poses a risk. She warned lockdown could be imposed again.
- 91 Turkish Cypriots passed away in the UK due to late measures – TRNC London Representative Oya Tuncalı said.
“Complacency will result in a catastrophe”
Head of the Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors’ Association Cafer Gürcafer argued none of the past or present governments have been successful in improving the health infrastructure in the north until today. Speaking on Havadis web TV programme, Gürcafer added, “the current risk is much greater than when we were in lockdown. We need to upgrade and improve our health structure more than ever.” He added the coming year must be managed through controlled planning. “Complacency is a big risk,” Gürcafer said and the best gain would be to prevent unemployment otherwise there will be tens of thousands of unemployed. “And that will be a catastrophe scenario,” Gürcafer concluded.
- 578 people entered the north – Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public works and Transportation Kemal Bağzıbağlı said that over 578 people had arrived on Wednesday. He noted 447 people from the Kyrenia port, 86 soldiers with 20 family members and 25 civilians from the Famagusta port. “I cannot give much information regarding the soldiers but the citizens who were in Turkey for health reasons will be brought back gradually,” Bağzıbağlı said.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 889 cases 15 deaths; Turkey 133,721 cases, 3,641 deaths.
‘We’re ruined’
Shops open but shopkeepers aren’t making any money. The mood at the Arasta shopping area in Nicosia’s old town was gloomy. The shopkeepers in the area said that their only hope is for the crossing point to open. “We shall have to shut down businesses if the crossings don’t open any time soon,” said the shopkeepers.
- 12 in each classroom – Schools are opening up in the south as of May 11.
- He used the knife in his hand to stab the victim over and over – A Nepalese man in South Cyprus killed his roommate.
- Extensive testing for 34 individuals – 1415 people were tested in North Cyprus yesterday (Thursday)
- 1744 tests – Six new cases in South Cyprus, bringing the total number of cases to 889.
- Death toll 3,641 – The total number of cases in Turkey reached 133,721 with an increase of 1,977.
Sir yes sir
Another photo of masked officials to remember the corona days. Ersin Tatar, Kudret Özersay and Ali Pilli, following rising concerns among the public of reports of a large number of arrivals of newly deployed Turkish troops without the cabinet’s knowledge, decided to visit the commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Major General Sezai Öztürk at his headquarters. They issued a joint statement following the meeting. They agreed to halt the arrival of family members of officers deployed to the north until May 15. They also agreed to reassess the issue after the 15th in line with developments.
- 578 people entered through the ports – The real numbers which had been hidden from the public the other day are being revealed. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Communication Kemal Bağzıbağlı confirmed that 578 people had entered the north on Wednesday through the ports but refrained from giving out exact numbers.
- Foreign currency profiteering – US Dollar: ₺7.26, Sterling Pound: ₺8.97… Euro is almost ₺8 now.
Main News
UNFICYP says it’s ready to help over opening checkpoints
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, External Security
OVERVIEW
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on Thursday said it was ready to facilitate and support both sides with efforts to ease restrictions at crossing points when conditions allow.
The peacekeeping mission expressed the hope that both sides would continue to cooperate closely as they address the public health emergency across the island.
“This includes coordinating their efforts to ease restrictions at the crossing points, when the situation allows,” UNFICYP spokesperson Aleem Siddique said in a written statement.
UNFICYP’s statements follow the call by around 2,000 Turkish Cypriot workers living in the north but working in the south of the island to authorities on both sides to facilitate their daily crossings to get to work.
In a related development, the leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman said on Thursday that the uncertainty over the Turkish Cypriots working, studying and receiving medical treatment in the south as well as those living in the mixed village of Pile (Pyla) needed to be urgently solved.
He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) were experiencing serious problems due to the restrictions in place.
“The Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health needs to act immediately, sharing data and information and decided on measures in light of that scientific data,” Erhürman said in a post on social media.
He also said that the issue of reopening of the crossing points should also be taken up through the same method.
Meanwhile the debate concerning the arrival on Wednesday of an unknown number of Turkish nationals and troops to the north despite the entry restrictions in place waged on Thursday.
Despite an official announcement on Wednesday that only 53 people had been allowed to enter the island through Famagusta port, several dailies, citing reliable sources had claimed that the figure was somewhere between 100 and 1000.
Public Works and Communication Ministry Undersecretary Kemal Bağzıbağı, speaking on Genç TV, admitted that the figure was not 53 as reported but 578.
He said that the majority of the people who arrived in the north were Turkish army officers and their families.
“447 soldiers arrived at Kyrenia port, 86 soldiers and 20 army families from Famagusta port. There were also 25 civilians, combine harvester operators and engineers working on the pipeline project,” Bağzıbağlı explained.
He also said that more army officer and soldiers will be arriving and departing as the contingent is renewed at the end of a tour of duty.
Bağzıbağlı also reminded that who could enter the country was decided by the cabinet.
Earlier on Thursday, the Chief Physician at the Cengiz Topel Hospital in Güzelyurt (Morphou) district denied rumours that ten people with fever had been admitted to his hospital.
He said the reports which claimed that members of the group which arrived from Turkey had been admitted to his hospital after displaying Covid-19 like symptoms were fabricated.
Leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Özyiğit on Thursday criticized the government for granting the exemption.
He said the conflicting statements made the authorities revealed the lack of coordination between those in charge even though it had been two months since the first restrictions were put in place.
“It is only natural for the public to worry if the two ministries which need to coordinate and cooperate the most are making contradicting statements,” Özyiğit said.
He warned that the smallest mistake at this stage could jeopardize everything that had been achieved.
Meanwhile, the issue was discussed at a meeting on Thursday between Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay, Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli and the Commander of the Turkish Forces in Cyprus (KTBK) Major General Sezai Öztürk.
A statement issued after the meeting by the cabinet reassured the public that the Turkish military was respecting all rules, regulations and restrictions in place against Covid-19.
It also denied that the government had been left in the dark about the number of arriving military personnel.
The statement pointed out that all Turkish military personnel and their families who had arrived on the island since the middle of March were placed under quarantine in military facilities for 21 days.
It pointed out that all military personnel had been confined to their barracks or camps for the past two months as all day-passes and leave had been cancelled.
A decision was also produced at the meeting to halt the arrival of family members of Turkish officers serving in the north until May 15 during which the decision will be reassessed depending on the situation.
The statement added that all health protocols to ensure the safety of the Turkish Cypriot community were in place, that the Turkish military was well aware of the sensitivities and attention of the authorities on implementing the rules and regulations in place.
No new cases as the north prepares to discharge its last patient
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The last coronavirus patient in the north was expected to be discharged on Thursday from the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital in Nicosia, leaving no active cases of the virus.
However, finally tests revealed that he would need to stay in the hospital for a few days longer.
On a more positive note, no new cases were reported on Thursday following a bulk of 1415 tests carried out.
Health Minister Ali Pilli said that out of 1415 tested, 34 individuals were undergoing extensive PCR tests.
The amount of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the north has remained stable at 108 since April 20 despite increased testing.
According to the health ministry, the hospital unit designated to treat coronavirus patients is now empty but will remain as part of the special scheme solely to treat Covid-19 patients.
The last cases of the virus in the north were recorded on April 17.
Since then, diagnostic tests have been greatly increased, with rapid tests and PCR, but no cases have been identified.
Meanwhile, President Mustafa Akıncı on Thursday underlined the importance of adhering to hygiene and health measures.
Speaking on Ada TV, Akıncı said that there were signs that people were slacking, ignoring rules such as wearing a mask or maintain physical distancing.
He also repeated that the debate concerning the legality of statutory decrees adopted by the government would not have emerged had a state-of-emergency been declared.
“This would have allowed my office and parliament to work closely with each other. The government didn’t want it and ignored the opposition’s proposals,” he said.
Uluçay: Most reasonable and appropriate period was six months
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Parliamentary Speaker Teberrüken Uluçay broke his silence on Thursday regarding the ongoing debate on the legality of the decision to postpone the presidential elections in the north and whether or not there was a need to postponed the elections for a second time.
“I believe that postponing the elections for six months was reasonable. Anything longer than that will only create new a discussion,” Uluçay told Bayrak.
He said he didn’t believe the elections would be postponed for a second time.
“The postponement decision was taken to the Supreme Court. It will be discussed there and I too will be presenting my views. But let me be clear. It would not have been possible to hold the elections on the original date,” Uluçay said.
He said they had decided to postpone the elections for six months because it seemed like the most appropriate and reasonable amount of time considering the conditions at the time.
Uluçay also expressed the view that the issue of the presidential elections should not be exploited for political purposes by anyone holding office at the moment.
“Should the Supreme Court rule that the decision to postpone the election was wrong and unlawful then we could be faced with the possibility of holding early elections in two months in line with existing laws,” he said, adding that such a decision would be up to the High Electoral Council.
No time-line on repaying cuts made to public servants
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
“We are not able to put forward a timeline regarding as to when the pay cuts from the public servants and the state subsidy cuts from the local administrations will be paid back,” Finance Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu said on Thursday.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, Amcaoğlu said the finance ministry’s priority was to create funds to overcome the problems in the health sector when the coronavirus pandemic first came about. In this regard, the cabinet announced an economic relief package to manage the economic crisis.
“In the first relief package, there were pay cuts up to 56 per cent to be able to create funds for other areas,” Amcaoğlu noted.
He added the state revenues had dropped to ₺250m (€34.4m) in the meantime.
“It is not possible to expect public finances to reach levels it was before the outbreak. We will work towards improving the conditions now and will try to increase our revenues without putting an additional burden on the public,” Amcaoğlu said.
He, however, said he was not able to give an exact date as to when the cuts made from the public sector could be paid back.
“We made the cuts with a promise to pay back the amount and we will do so as soon as we can. Our goal is to be able to make the payments to the public sector and return the 25 per cuts from the municipalities before the end of the year,” Amcaoğlu concluded.
“The private sector workers have been deprived of basic rights and job security,” Labour Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said on Thursday.
Speaking on Kıbrıs TV, Sucuoğlu said the coronavirus crisis had revealed the reality once again and hoped the necessary lessons will be learnt from the bitter experience.
“It is high time to provide the private sectors with rights equal to those in the public sector,” Sucuoğlu concluded.
Tourism Minister Ünal Üstel met with the Association of Banks on Thursday to help revive the tourism sector.
In a statement issued from the ministry, Üstel said that the tourism sector would first focus on the domestic market this summer.
“It does not look likely that any tourists will arrive from third countries. The flow of tourists from Turkey will depend on the normalisation process as well as on the availability of flights,” Üstel noted.
He added that the Association of Banks will play an instrumental role in providing easy payments to hotel customers when the tourism season opens.
Üstel recalled the ministry is preparing a plan to reopen and revive the tourism sector.
“We have almost finalised our work on the sector and hopefully the sector will reopen with smaller hotels soon,” Üstel concluded.
In another development, Turkish Cypriot Minister of Public works and Communication Tolga Atakan said that Turkish Airlines flights might not materialise even though the company has started selling tickets for Ercan (Tymbou) airport
Speaking to Havadis on Thursday, Atakan recalled as part of the measures adopted against the coronavirus pandemic, Turkish Airlines (THY) had suspended all its flights until 28 May.
“We are not at a point now to discuss when the flights will resume and under which conditions,” Atakan stressed, adding that the level of the pandemic will define when there might be flights.
In another development, the Turkish university students, who could not return home, have launched a campaign on social media to be allowed to return to Turkey.
The students appealed to Turkish Cypriot and Turkish authorities to arrange flights for their repatriation so that they could make it home for the Ramadan festival of Eid al-Fitr.
The campaign is launched on Twitter and the students tagged the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Turkish Embassy in Nicosia and the Turkish Cypriot Ministry of Public Works and Communication which is in charge of transportation.
Meanwhile, KAR-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Public Transport Association) board members met with Labour Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu on Thursday to relay the problems they faced in the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic and the measures adopted. The board members noted the sector, which employs nearly 3000 people, is in severe financial difficulty.
Sucuoğlu, for his part, said the cabinet will evaluate the Labour Ministry’s proposals on assisting the sectors that are currently closed.
“We have tabled a proposal on the social insurance premium payments. We are suggesting the state should cover the premium payments for the closed sectors. The second one is on the continuation of the salary support scheme including for the sectors that have reopened partially,” Sucuoğlu concluded.