Front Page Headlines
Murder in Gönyeli (Guenyeli)
A blood-curdling murder took place in Gönyeli (Guenyeli) last night (Wednesday). 83-year-old Veysi Akdeniz was killed. The murder is believed to have been committed by Akdeniz’s two caretakers. Police detained one of the caretakers and is searching for the second one, a Turkmen national by the name of Azat Nurmamedov.
- Concerned government –(Deputy PM/FM) Özersay: “I’m not comfortable in implementing the decision taken earlier.” (Health Minister) Ali Pilli: “I conveyed my concerns to the Council of Ministers.”
- Crisis in Pile (Pyla) again over crossings – The ‘crossing’ problems experienced by Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) have not ended. A group of villagers staged a protest after children under the age of 12 who did not have PCR certificates were not allowed to return to the village.
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Suspicion of murder
The north was rocked with news of a suspicious death last night (Wednesday). Gönyeli (Guenyeli) resident 83-year-old Veysi Akdeniz was found dead. The stab wounds on his body raised suspicions of murder. According to information obtained from credible sources, there were bloodstains in the living room, where Akdeniz was found dead. Police, following its initial investigation, has identified 40-year-old Azat Nurmamedov, husband of the victim’s caretaker, as the prime suspect.
- KAR-İŞ focused on the government! – The public transportation companies (KAR-İŞ) are planning on staging yet another protest as part of their 17-day long strike. KAR-İŞ, which was not satisfied with the measures in the second economic relief package, insists on its demands and expects a response from the government.
We cannot even do PCR tests
The fact the PCR tests cannot be done for those who have to cross to the south at a time when there are no new cases of coronavirus has actually revealed the chaos that will be experienced once flights from Turkey resume. Hundreds of people, waiting to get back their PCR test results, were sent away empty-handed. Those who go to the hospital for testing are also sent away after being given unacceptable excuses such as that the hospital has run out of testing kits, or they do not have enough personnel. One person, who needs the test results to cross to the south, said she has been waiting for “30 hours to get results of her test which will only be valid for 72 hours!”
- Pile (Pyla) residents’ PCR protest – The suffering of the Turkish Cypriots in Pile (Pyla) does not end. The Turkish Cypriot health ministry’s decision not to test children below the age of 12 has turned into a crisis. Diplomatic efforts carried out by the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry failed to yield any results either. The Sovereign Base Area (SBA) authorities reminded the sides each individual wishing to cross must present a negative PCR test to cross. Some of the Turkish Cypriots from Pile (Pyla) could not cross to the south.
- Horrific murder in Gönyeli (Geunyeli) – Suspect is the husband of the caretaker. Police issued an arrest order for 40-year-old suspect, Azat Nurmamedov.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 991 cases, 26 deaths; Turkey 191,657 cases, 5,025 deaths.
This is savagery
83-year-old Veysi Akdeniz from Gönyeli (Guenyeli) had his throat slit. Police have launched a manhunt for Azat Nurmamedov, the husband of the victim’s caretaker. It was also reported that the victim was stabbed numerous times.
- Serious warning – The head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association Dimağ Çağıner said that the government must compensate hotels if international flights do not resume as of July 1.
Oh, We donkeys
We’ve returned where we started. We are continuing on our way as Avrupa without making any concessions from the principles which we have been defending. From Avrupa (Europe) to Afrika (Africa) and from Afrika to Avrupa! These are long roads adorned with thorns… We did not make any progress…The right-wing politicians could not accept Avrupa and the left Afrika. Bombs and bullets came from the right-wing, animosity and hatred from the left. Just as (Turkish writer) Aziz Nesin wrote: “Oh, We donkeys!” Avrupa which first launched on September 17, 1997, ceased publications December 14, 2001 (following a lawsuit filed against the paper by former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş). It resumed publication on December 15, 2001 under its new name Afrika (as political satire) only to publish its final edition on June 24, 2020 (following harsh criticism by humans rights advocates that the paper’s logo was racist). We are bidding farewell to Afrika and our beloved ape. Instead, we now have a thinking donkey as the paper’s logo.
- Özersay: “I am not comfortable regarding the decision for arrivals from Turkey” – Kudret Özersay said it is necessary to revise the decision to open the ports of entry for arrivals from Turkey without quarantine given the spike in the number of coronavirus cases. “I am not comfortable with the decision,” he said.
- Repeated warnings issued to the government – The Trade Unions Platform and four health organisations will stage a protest tomorrow (Friday) night against the government for not making any preparations to protect the public’s health. The protestors will gather at Dereboyu (Shakespeare Avenue) roundabout to march to the prime minister’s office.
- Pile (Pyla) residents outraged over PCR tests – Children were asked to produce negative PCR test results but the Turkish Cypriot health ministry did not carry out testing for children below 12 years of age on the premise that they will be with their parents. The whole situation turned into a crisis.
Main News
Özersay expresses concern over July 1 decision
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay on Tuesday expressed concerns about the government’s decision to lift the quarantine requirement for passenger arrivals from Turkey as of July 1.
Özersay, speaking on a programme, said that the situation in Turkey was different when the initial date of July 1 was set and that it was now necessary to revise this decision following a spike in coronavirus cases in the country.
He added that the Council of Ministers was debating whether to extend the current restrictions in place or to go ahead with the initial decision to allow arrivals without placing them in quarantine.
“I’m not comfortable with the decision we took earlier on arrivals from Turkey. However, we need a Council of Ministers decision to reverse the earlier decision. I believe the best of course of action at this time would either be to delay the lifting of restrictions, implement additional measures to PCR tests or reintroduce the quarantine requirement,” he said.
Özersay added that the decision could be revised if there was consensus in the cabinet, hinting that the senior coalition partners, the National Unity Party, was reluctant to change the current decision.
In response to a question on the crossing points, Özersay said that the decisions on opening the crossing points were made based on the daily number of cases as well as the general situation in the south.
“The Greek Cypriot side opened its airports to international arrivals as of June 8 without quarantine requirements. We waited to see how the situation would present itself before making a decision,” he said.
Özersay also reminded that anyone with permanent residency arriving in the north from Turkey or the UK until July 1 will have to enter mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Turkish Cypriot Public Works and Communication Minister Tolga Atakan and People’s Party (HP) MP Jale Refik Rogers echoed Özersay’s concerns.
Atakan told Bayrak on Wednesday that the decision to allow quarantine-free arrivals from Turkey on July 1 could be revised.
Atakan said that the decision could be revised or additional measures could be introduced due to changing parameters. The date to allow arrivals without the quarantine rule could also be pushed to a future date, he said.
Atakan also pointed out that the pandemic and health regulations had brought additional costs to the airline industry forcing companies to raise prices.
He said that it will only be possible to say whether Turkish Airline flights will resume as scheduled once the decision on July 1 was confirmed and clarified.
Rogers backed Özersay’s and Atakan’s views, arguing that the July 1 date should be revised.
“I’m speaking as a health expert, not as a politician. Our health system is not at a capacity to cope with a large number of patients,” she warned.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot residents of Pile (Pyla) on Wednesday held a protest at the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing after British bases personnel refused to let a family cross from the north back to the village because the children did not get tested for coronavirus.
According to Yenidüzen, the family that lives in Pile (Pyla) crossed to the north but the children did not get tested for coronavirus.
Pile’s (Pyla) Turkish Cypriot mukhtar Veysal Güden, told the daily that the Turkish Cypriot health ministry had agreed that children under 12 do not need to get tested.
When the family tried to return to Pile (Pyla), through the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing which is run by the British bases, they were not allowed to cross because the children had no certificates, stirring protests from the mixed village’s Turkish Cypriot residents.
According to the media report, Turkish Cypriot mothers from Pile (Pyla) held a protest at the crossing forcing authorities to close it, thus preventing access to Turkish Cypriot workers who needed to cross to the south.
Kıbrıs Postası reported on Wednesday that President Mustafa Akıncı and the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry were discussing the matter with the British High Commissioner.
The Turkish Cypriot villagers said they would continue the protest on Thursday if they are not allowed to cross between the two sides with their children.
In a separate development, the Trade Unions Platform, as well as four health associations, is preparing to stage a demonstration on Friday evening to protest the government’s failure to carry out preparations aimed at protecting the public’s health.
A statement issued by the various trade unions and associations said that the government had ignored warnings made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and had decided on allowing flights from a high-risk country without quarantine requirements as of July 1.
The group is calling on the government to cancel its decision and to prepare for a possible second wave.
Health Minister Ali Pilli on Wednesday hit back at criticism directed against the government for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the failure to set up a pandemic hospital.
Pilli said that despite criticism, the Turkish Cypriot health workers had achieved great success in containing the spread of the coronavirus against all odds and with limited means.
He added that it was wrong for some circles to politicise the issue for their political gains.
Pilli said he was also pleased to see that some of the cabinet members were now sharing the same concerns he had expressed earlier about allowing arrivals from Turkey without quarantine.
The Turkish Cypriot health minister also pointed out that the health facilities in the north were now far more prepared and experienced than when the first cases of coronavirus were seen on the island.
He said that the facilities in the north, contrary to claims, had been upgraded.
Pilli also said that the north’s testing capacity had doubled in the last three months.
Commenting to Diyalog on the statements made, head of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers’ Association Dimağ Çağıner said that the government should compensate hotels if it revises its decision concerning arrivals from Turkey on July 1.
Also on Wednesday, Yenidüzen reported that hundreds of newly arrived Turkish troops were kept waiting at the Famagusta port in the heat due to uncertainty on what protocols the troops were subject to.
The paper reported that the conscripts were transported to their camps after waiting for several hours under the scorching sun where they will remain in quarantine for 14 days.
KTTO welcomes inclusion of some of its proposals in 2nd relief package
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
“Even though the KTTO’s recommendations were not fully reflected, we are pleased with the second economic relief package,” the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) said on Wednesday.
In a statement issued, KKTO pointed out that the second package was prepared in consultation with the chamber and was prepared by considering its recommendations.
“We are pleased with the joint effort made. As a symbol of the continuation of the joint efforts, KTTO will take its place on the Economic Board and will contribute to the preparation of the third economic relief package which will include the tourism, higher education and construction sectors,” the statement read.
In a broader evaluation of the second economic relief package, KTTO welcomed the cabinet’s measures to support businesses in a bid to prevent unemployment and to subsidize 75 per cent of the social security premium contributions of the establishments.
“Continuing with the salary support scheme for the closed sectors and giving ₺4,000 (€520) financial contributions to the Small and Medium-Sized enterprises would help them remain in business,” KTTO stressed.
It, however, criticised the cabinet’s insistence on separating sectors into those which remain closed and those which remained open during the lockdown when offering the ₺1,500 (€195) salary support payments.
The chamber said the government should continue with the salary support scheme for all businesses until the end of the year.
The KTTO in its evaluation welcomed the loan packages with the amount of three per cent interest subsidised and argued that the loans will increase cash flow in the market place.
“Moreover, the fact that the public debts amounting to ₺385m (€50m) to the companies in the private sector will be paid before the end of the month together with the ₺500m (€65m) allocated for infrastructure projects are important steps taken towards improving the economy, however these funds must quickly be pumped into the market without being delayed due to bureaucratic obstacles,” the KTTO stressed.
The KTTO emphasized the importance of the monitoring and evaluation aspects of the second economic relief package.
“It is almost impossible to guess the impact of the economic measures due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the cabinet must work on a road map ahead together with economic organisations and other civil society organisations on the Economic Board to be established,” the KTTO concluded.
“We have to accept Turkey’s determination in the East Med”
Kıbrıs Postası
External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“We have to accept Turkey’s determination in taking on roles for the future of the Eastern Mediterranean and as the US, we must revise our role,” Glen Howard, President of the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation, said.
Speaking at a panel called “Great Power Competition in the Middle East”, organized in the capital by the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute, Howard underlined that Russia had sent mercenaries as well as military and financial support to General Khalifa Haftar in Libya to gain major interests in the oil-rich North African country.
He added that Moscow could not reach its aims due to Turkey’s actions in the region.
“It is for this reason the United States must establish closer ties with Turkey,” Howard stressed.
He pointed out that Turkey has taken bold steps against Russia both in Syria and in Libya.
“The Eastern Mediterranean is a region having irreplaceable importance for Turkey. That’s why they take a role in Libya. Like they did in Cyprus, they would oppose anyone challenging them on this issue. Therefore, we should see how critical this situation is and must understand what Turkey’s interests are. We must accept Turkey’s determination to take a role in the future of the Eastern Mediterranean and reconsider our role in the region,” Howard stressed.
Pointing to the recent investments made in the Turkish naval force as well as in unmanned aerial vehicles, Howard said Turkey will have a significant impact on the region.
“Given the developments and the military advancements, Turkey will be the ultimate winner in the region,” Howard concluded.