Front Page Headlines
Return to classes a big gamble
President Anastasiades: We are not going to risk what we achieved with sacrifices. Strong reservations by teachers over faithful implementation of protocols and concern for vulnerable groups. (Education minister) Pr. Prodomou: School units should be ready for implementing new guidelines.
- “Obstacles” for checkpoints
EU bomb over firefighting planes
After Turkish pressure they set up aircrafts at Akroriti Base instead of on RoC territory. With the excuse that they will be operating also in the occupied areas.
- (Transport Minister) G. Karousos opens his cards for “Ph” on all issues: Airports open during first half of June
- (Turkey) sends them soldiers and they are the last to know
Proposals by AKEL for improvements in health
Channeling of adequate funds to health sector. Create intensive care units in all hospitals. Lab for Public Health and Infectious Diseases.
‘No need for school worry’
President: concerns are unjustified, govt would not undo all the sacrifices made to keep people safe.
- Music: Turkish Cypriot virtuoso releases new CD
The ball returns again
Towards an upset, after strict intervention by UEFA. Cypriot football becoming international laughing stock avoided at the last minute since cutting the league short cannot be supported. Yesterday’s postponment of a decision for next Friday a formality. Decisive Health Ministry decree that allows trainings for group of five people since yesterday.
- Akinci to Talat: “I can’t become a puppet” – He replied to criticism for bad relations with Turkey
- Turkey: Its lira collapsing again and Erdogan sees conspiracies
Main News
Neither side gives indications regarding the reopening of checkpoints
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Politis reports that both sides continue to avoid clarifying their intentions regarding the reopening of the checkpoints. According to the newspaper, the RoC government signals that it will be ready to act on this issue, and particularly on the issue of the 1,525 T/C workers that want to return to their employment in the south, when the T/C side reopens checkpoints.
The newspaper cites information that government circles say they are concerned whether the pandemic has been overcome in the north. The same circles are also pointing to the recent arrival of Turkish soldiers to the north as another reason for concern.
However, Politis notes that both sides are in fact comfortable with postponing the discussion regarding the checkpoints, prioritising the return to normality within each community. At the same time UNFICYP is reportedly displeased by closures imposed by both sides, and is sending the message that the communities should continue to coordinate.
Dailies also report that the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints Against the Police has appointed two investigators to look into a complaint against the RoC police, for reportedly blocking an ambulance from crossing.
The incident took place on March 21st when an ambulance coming from Kato Pyrgos crossed into the north and then wanted to cross back into the government controlled areas through the Astromeritis checkpoint in order to transfer a patient to the Nicosia General Hospital. The ambulance was denied passage and had to cross through Agios Dometios. The Independent Authority said that the Police seriously endangered the patient’s life.
In another development, Phileleftheros cites T/C reports, translated by the PIO, regarding the arrival of Turkish soldiers, officials and their families as a part of the renewal of the forces of the Turkish army in the occupied areas. 578 people are reported to have arrived at the ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta.
The newspaper reports that the news brought reactions in the north, especially since the “government” had not been informed of their arrival. “Prime minister” Ersin Tatar and “foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay had to visit the office of the commander of the Turkish army on the island Sezay Oturk in order to be informed of the situation.
After the visit, Tatar annnouced that the soldiers and officers, as well as their relatives, arriving in the north were quarantined for 21 days by the Turkish army. Tatar added that it was agreed with the military that no additional relative of these officers will arrive on the island before May 15th.
Politis reports that T/C leader Mustafa Akinci has clarified that the letter he sent to the World Health Organisation was not intended to push for membership to be granted to the “TRNC”, as some T/C politicians have asked, but for the epidemiological data from the north to be included in the organisation’s reports.
The dailies also report on statements made by Akinci as a reply to criticisms by former leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talat had said that Akinci has bad relations with Ankara, citing the fact that he sent a letter to President Erdogan instead of directly communicating. Akinci responded in an interview on Ada TV that each politician choses how to communicate, and added that no one should copy others. He added that T/Cs did not elect him for him to be a puppet.
Akinci also commented on the idea pushed by the right-wing UBP party for the T/C side to apply for membership to the WHO. He said that the WHO is connected with the UN which means he would have to check whether that is possible since the UN does not recognise the “TRNC”.
EU firefighting aircraft to be based in SBAs in order to operate also in north
Phileleftheros
Internal Security, External Security, Regional/ International Relations, CBMs, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Two firefighting aircraft which will be based on Cyprus as part of the RescEU programme will not be based on the territory of the RoC but at the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri, in order to bypass reactions by Turkey, Phileleftheros reports.
The newspaper reports that the EU decided that the two Canadair aircraft be based in the SBA due to the fact that they will be operating in the occupied areas and the wider region when needed. This decision was taken after Turkey pressured the EU, the newspaper reports citing information.
Phileleftheros notes that the request for the two aircraft came from the RoC, which means that the government will cover 25% of their overall purchase, operational and other costs. The aircraft will be operating from Cyprus every year in the period of June 15th to October 31st. The aircraft is expected to arrive on May 15th.
According to the report, the thinking behind the decision is also based on the Treaty of Establishment of the RoC, according to which the UK has to maintain four firefighting aircrafts. This, the newspaper asserts, could lead to the UK attempting to sidestep this obligation and its related costs.
According to the newspaper, the Agriculture Ministry has stated officially that this arrangement was accepted since two firefighting aircraft are already operating from Larnaca and Paphos, and that the new aircraft can cover the mountainous area of the Limassol district.