Front Page Headlines
No ‘decisions’, lots of ‘lies’
Yenidüzen sets the agenda, the country’s attention turned to the scandal of a group who arrived on the island with a private jet after given special permission. It emerged that there was no Council of Ministers decision allowing the private jet to land nor were immigration officers called to the airport to process the arrivals of the visitors. While the opposition called on the government to resign, the ministers made contradictory statements. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that he had ordered a police probe. Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay said he too wasn’t satisfied with the situation and had questions about the issue.
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One dead, three, two of whom are serious, injured
Two cars collided head-on on the Tatlısu (Akanthou) – Kyrenia road yesterday (Monday). The crash site resembled a war-zone. Kemal Aydın, who was a passenger in the vehicle with registration plate JD773 died instantly as a result of the collision. The injured were taken to the hospital.
- “Special permission” crisis in the parliament – During yesterday’s (Monday) assembly, MPs discussed whether or not the nine individuals, who had arrived from Turkey on a private jet, had complied with the quarantine rules. The opposition MPs slammed the government. The coalition partners said the inquiries of the opposition will be investigated.
- The proposed amendment to raise the retirement age for judges removed from the proposal – Some of the articles in the proposed constitutional amendments regarding the Supreme Court judges were removed. Head of the parliamentary sub-committee and National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said the article on raising the age for retirement for judges was removed from the proposed amendments.
Don’t ask, just enter
The arrival of 13 people in a private jet from Antalya and their entry into the north without entering quarantine has caused indignation. The opposition parties slammed the cabinet members. The ministers had difficulties in responding to the questions. Tourism minister Ünal Üstel said there was nothing unlawful. The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman said they has lost the little trust they had in the cabinet. The leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Özyiğit urged the government to resign due to the scandalous development. The leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı said the government is treating people differently and is applying double standards. Democratic Party (DP) leader Fikri Ataoğlu asked what was the rush to allow these individuals to come from Turkey. PM Ersin Tatar said he has asked the police to investigate whether or not the group complied with the quarantine rules. Health Minister Ali Pilli said if the group did not comply with the quarantine rules; it will be the government’s responsibility. Deputy PM Kudret Özersay said there was no written decision regarding the arrival of the group and added there are questions which remain to be answered. Public works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan said the necessary immigration procedures were followed to those that arrived in line with special permission granted to them.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 985 cases, 25 deaths; Turkey 179,831 cases, 4,825 deaths.
It shouldn’t have been like this
43-year-old Harun Çetin who lost control of his vehicle on a bend crossed over to the opposite late killing 33-year-old Kemal Aydın and injuring three others including him. North Cyprus was devastated by the news of the accident last night (Monday). Father of two, Aydın’s death caused deep sorrow in the village of Tatlısu (Akanthou).
- No withdrawing from the government – Peoples’ Party (HP) evaluated the latest developments last night.
Permission granted to gamblers but not to the workers
The government became as timid as a mouse as the opposition parties bombarded it with questions regarding the special permission granted to the group which arrived from Turkey. It emerged that one of the individuals who entered the north with a special permit and did not enter quarantine was Turkish tourism investor Neşet Koçkar. It is claimed Koçkar, who is the board director of the Anex Tourism Group, came to the north to extend the duration of the ‘letter of guarantee’ he gave for the Lapta (Lapithos) marina project. It is also claimed the other ‘investors’ that came with him went to a casino to gamble. Mustafa Aktuğ, Mayor of Lapta (Lapithos) said he did not know anything about those who arrived from Turkey. “We neither invited the representatives of this company nor did we have any meetings with them,” Aktuğ said. The mayor added the ‘letters of guarantee’ for the companies that submitted a bid for the tender had been extended online and they had mailed the necessary documents by post. “We did not invite anyone to the municipality,” Aktuğ concluded.
- Parliament is in a mess – The MPs discussed the incident on the special permission granted to the group of Turkish nationals for four hours. PM Ersin Tatar: “If there is something wrong, it should be revealed but since it has been discussed for so long, there has to be something wrong.” He added it would be wrong if the group had come into contact with the public and added the case will be investigated. Kudret Özersay: “The questions remain unanswered. The details will be investigated.” Ünal Üstel: “The group came, and inspected the investment site in line with the rules. Tell us, if you are against investment!” Tolga Atakan: “The identity of those coming to the north is not my responsibility.”
Main News
Opposition outraged over Turkish individuals allowed into the north
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The arrival of a group of individuals in the north from Turkey last Friday after they were given special permission and did not quarantine provoked strong reactions in the north, with many talking about a scandal.
The issue dominated Monday’s debate at the Turkish Cypriot parliament with Tourism Minister Ünal üstel finding himself under fire for not providing all the necessary information on the group’s arrival.
Opposition parties on Monday called on the government to resign while Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said he ordered a police probe into the matter saying the green light was given for the group’s arrival on the condition they would be quarantined.
He said that similar permits had been granted in the past as well, all based on trust.
Coalition partners, the Peoples’ Party (HP) MPs also joined the opposition in criticizing Üstel’s decisions, claiming that they too had been misinformed.
Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan said the flight permit had been given by the cabinet but based on the details that later emerged it had been misinformed.
Health Minister Ali Pilli said on Monday that the group was not tested for coronavirus because they were placed in a quarantined hotel and did not go out.
He said that those in quarantine do not get tested unless they have symptoms.
After it was revealed by the daily Yenidüzen that the group had not been placed in quarantine, the tourism ministry said they were a team of experts working on a marina project in Lapta (Lapithos) who were granted special permission by the cabinet.
Refuting Atakan’s claims in a press conference on Monday, Üstel claimed that the list of people had been shared with the health ministry, civil aviation department and with the Council of Ministers as well.
He argued the group of investors had arrived upon an invitation extended by the Lapta (Lapithos) municipality.
“The investors’ arrival is completely legal and lawful,” Üstel said and the investors came to the north to check out the location where a marina will be built in line with the tendering process launched by the said municipality.
“As it is known, there are two companies that made a bid for the construction of the marina. The winning company’s deadline to sign the contract is June 26. The representatives from the second company were invited because once the deadline for the first expires, the right to sign the contract with the Lapta (Lapithos) municipality will be transferred to the second one,” Üstel explained.
“The list of names was approved by the cabinet before their arrival,” Üstel concluded.
Mustafa Aktuğ, Mayor of Lapta (Lapithos) on the other denied Üstel’s claims and said he had extended no such invitation to a second company in the tendering process to inspect the site of investment.
Speaking during a TV programme on SIM TV, Aktuğ also noted that he did not meet with the group that arrived from Turkey either.
Aktuğ said the winning company had until June 26 to sign the contract for the construction of the marina.
“It would have been neither ethical nor lawful for me to meet with the representatives of the second company,” Aktuğ concluded.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman lambasted the government during Monday’s session of parliament, claiming that the National Unity Party (UBP) government had lost the trust of the people and the opposition.
Erhürman said that the cabinet members had presented conflicting stories and inconsistent stories about the group from Turkey.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit joined the chorus, stating that the Turkish Cypriot community did not deserve to be treated as such, especially after adhering to strict rules and measures over the past three months.
Addressing the UBP in parliament, Özyiğit drew attention to the government’s contradictory stance when it came to Turkish Cypriot workers in the south.
He pointed out that while the government had rejected a request by the workers to spend the Father’s Day in the north it had, strangely allowed a group of people to enter the north without the need to quarantine.
“The coalition members are now pointing blame at each other to dodge the criticisms but there is a stark reality before all of us now and that is the fact that the UBP-HP coalition government is putting the people’s health at risk,” Özyiğit concluded.
Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı, on the other hand, said the government was guilty of implementing double standards to the Turkish Cypriot community.
“We told the Turkish Cypriots working in the south to pack their pillows and quilts; we rejected the funerals from the UK all for the sake of protecting the public’s health but now we hear the government allowed a mysterious jet to land at Ercan (Tymbou) without any questions asked,” Arıklı said.
He added it was later revealed that those who arrived were business people from Turkey interested in investing in Lapta (Lapithos).
“Even if they were worthy investors, the Mayor of Lapta (Lapithos) was not informed of their visit,” Arıklı highlighted.
“This government and the fact that it is governing the north is more unfortunate than the coronavirus pandemic itself,” Arıklı concluded.
Democratic Party (DP) leader Fikri Ataoğlu directing his criticism to Kudret Özersay for withdrawing from the previous four-party coalition government, asked: “How will you explain this scandal, Mr Özersay?”
Ataoğlu pointed out the contradictory statements made by the cabinet members and argued the HP is likely to accuse the UBP of wrongdoing now.
“Are you aware that you are making a fool of the people? We are not against any investors but they could have waited for two more weeks to enter the north without any problems,” Ataoğlu concluded.
Former leader of HP, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Kudret Özersay reportedly said the cabinet was told that the Lapta (Lapithos) municipality had asked the tourism ministry to grant a special permit.
He added that ‘cabinet’ had not taken a written decision on the matter and were not told that those arriving would not be quarantined.
“All the ministers were informed about the need for a site-visit however there are not any decisions adopted that was published in the official gazette,” Özersay stressed.
He also noted that all previous permits of similar nature had been first published in the official gazette.
He explained that at the absence of a cabinet decision, the tourism ministry in consultation with the health and transportation ministries sent a memo informing the relevant authorities that the visitors from Turkey would be transported to a quarantine facility from Ercan (Tymbou) airport.
“The agreement was clear,” Özersay said, adding these individuals arrived and following processing their travel documents, they were taken to the quarantine facility.
“As the Council of Ministers, however, we believed the Lapta (Lapithos) municipality was aware of the developments and I assumed the mayor had been informed therefore did not feel the need to ask the tourism minister. When I read the Mayor’s statement yesterday (Sunday), I called him up and confirmed that he was not aware of the developments,” Özersay said.
“The opposition parties have every right to question the developments,” Özersay stressed and added “It is our responsibility to answer all these questions.
He admitted that he too was seeking answers to some of the questions.
Özersay also pointed out the different allegations made regarding the purpose of the visit.
“The decision taken is not about allowing visitors to enter the north without quarantine. The question is whether the visitors complied with the quarantine conditions in line with the decision adopted or not,” he added.
Meanwhile, HP’s executive party assembly convened on Monday evening to discuss the developments regarding the issue.
A decision to withdraw from the government did not emerge from the meeting despite rumours that the HP was considering it.
TCs working the south demand clarification
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriots working in the south are demanding clarification from the Turkish Cypriot health ministry regarding the cabinet decision on allowing crossings from June 22 onwards, the dailies report on Tuesday.
The workers, in a written statement on Monday, recalled the cabinet’s decision of allowing daily crossings to begin on June 22 given that the epidemiological situation in the south does not change until then.
“Where will the PCR tests be done? Will the cost of the test be subsidised by the state?” were some of the questions raised by the workers who expressed concern about possible long waiting periods at hospitals.
“As it is known, the PCR test result must be obtained within the last 72 hours of the crossing. Therefore the health authorities must implement plans and strategies to avoid people piling up at the testing centres,” the statement read.
Turkish Cypriot workers currently in the south also sought clarification from Turkish Cypriot authorities on whether they will be required to present a PCR test when being allowed to return to the north as of July 1.
Will the Turkish Cypriot authorities be asking for PCR tests results from those who had crossed to the south? What will happen to Turkish Cypriots who declared they will not return before July 1 but have changed their minds and have decided to return home as of June 22?” the workers asked.
Turkish Cypriots working in the south concluded by the statement by urging the health officials to respond to their questions and clarify the uncertain issues without any delay.
AKP spokesman: Neither Turkey nor the TCs was consulted
Kıbrıs Postası
Internal Security, Territory
OVERVIEW
“The Greek Cypriot administration did not consult Turkey or the TRNC when making an agreement with the UK regarding the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) on the island,” Ömer Çelik, spokesman for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said on Monday.
Speaking to the media following the AKP executive board meeting, which was chaired by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Çelik pointed out that Turkish Cypriots had immovable properties within the SBA.
“No one should talk about a comprehensive settlement after taking such steps,” Çelik warned, claiming that the agreement was signed as a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s initiative.
Noting that the agreement was being put into force now even though it was signed in 2014, Çelik said the agreement lacked any legal or moral legitimacy.
“This is nothing but usurping the immovable properties of the Turkish Cypriots,” Çelik concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çelik (AKP)
>> The GC administration failed to consult Turkey or TC side when signing the agreement with the UK.
>> The TCs too have immovable properties within the SBA.
>> Signing agreement of such nature & talking about a comprehensive settlement is contradictory.
>> The agreement is the result of an initiative launched by the GC side.
>> The agreement lacks legal or moral legitimacy.
>> The agreement is nothing but usurping the immovable properties of TCs.