Front Page Headlines
“Budget deficit as never seen before”
Former finance minister and academic Birikim Özgür makes an important assessment. “It’s becoming harder and harder for local revenues to meet current expenditures. Dependence on foreign assistance is growing. Support to education and the economy is not being provided,” he said. Özgür: “57 per cent of revenues are tax revenues. There is a 17 per cent loss in the last eight months. This is just a prediction but if things continue as they are until the end of the year we will be faced with a loss of ₺936m (€104,750m).
- Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Erhürman calls for a TV debate with the other candidates
Flight ticket prices skyrocket
The cost of flights between Turkey and the TRNC is affecting all budgets. Kıbrıs examined ticket prices to the TRNC from Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. According to the prices, it is more expensive to fly to the TRNC than it is to fly from the TRNC to Turkey. Prices for tickets in October are extremely expensive. Yet all flights have been booked for the end of September and October.
- Lake full but the water can’t be used –The water collected in the small lake in Gönendere (Knodara) cannot be used for irrigation because of problems with the treatment equipment and underground pipes. What’s worse is that the water is killing all the trees in the area.
“Don’t pray for something that’s not going to happen”
Former President Mehmet Ali Talat evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus Issue to Havadis newspaper. He described proposals for a two-state solution as a waste of time and dangerous. “We will return to pre-2004 conditions and this will put both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in a difficult position,” he said.
- 13 days left to the elections
- “Let’s debate everything live on TV” – CTP leader Tufan Erhürman challenged rivals to televised debate.
- “We have no joint goal with Turkey” – Independent candidate Serdar Denktaş evaluated the Cyprus issue during his campaign visits.
- Everyone must vote – Incumbent president Mustafa called on the public to vote on election day.
Fear for his life
Taxi driver Mehmet Başçoba who was assaulted by three people for allegedly staring at them lost control of his vehicle while trying to escape. He crashed into a restaurant named Chicken Planet. They first broke his nose and as he tried to escape, he crashed his car. All three were arrested by police.
- Lockdown is not good – Businesses want the Health Ministry to tighten health inspections so that the economy can be revived.
It’s not a caravan park but a shanty town
We are shedding light on what is going on at the Salamis caravan park recently shut down by the Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) municipality. The situation is must worse than initially thought. Things spiralled out of control after the management of the caravan park set up by the municipality and tourism ministry was handed over to a society named Kamp-Der in 2006. In the 15 years that followed, the caravan park turned into a shanty town with permanent structures being erected. The nearby forest area was also invaded. The society set up an authority within the camp collecting a monthly fee from residents for electricity and other utilities. It even raised the price of electricity.
Main News
Talat warns two-state solution would be disastrous for TCs & Turkey
Havadis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Former Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat has warned that seeking a two-state solution will have dire consequences for both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
In an interview with Havadis newspaper, Talat said that it would be a waste of time for Turkish Cypriots to expect a two-state solution or the recognition of the north.
“Such a move will drag Turkish Cypriots to pre-2004 and this will put both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in a tight spot,” he added.
Talat explained that the anti-federation camp in the north, as well as the government and opposition in Turkey, had turned their attention away from a solution in Cyprus.
“They have turned their attention to a two-state solution. This is like saying Amen to a prayer that won’t come true,” he added.
Talat said that this was the first time Turkey had become anti-federation following Denktaş’s term in office.
“This is extremely dangerous. That is my point of view because what is being advocated, a two-state solution or confederation is against standing UN parameters,” he said.
Meanwhile, independent presidential candidate Serdar Denktaş said that developments have revealed how justified his father’s views, the former President Rauf Denktaş, were regarding the Greek Cypriot side’s reluctance to settle the Cyprus Problem.
“It is the UN and EU as well as other countries which are emboldening the Greek Cypriot side’s stance,” Denktaş said during a campaign visit.
Denktaş recalled that his father had insisted on the creation of a National Council when amendments were being discussed to the 1985 Turkish Cypriot constitution.
He said that his father had always spoken about how the Greek Cypriot National Council acted as a single body when it came to the Cyprus Issue.
“This is not the case with us. We have different views,” Denkaş said.
The independent candidate also argued that no joint plan existed with Turkey on the Cyprus Issue since the 2004 Annan Plan.
“We need to sit down with Turkey and determine a joint plan. We then have to decide our next course of action and which steps have to be taken towards achieving that goal. We know what’s better for us because we live here and Turkey knows what’s better regionally because of its position,” he said.
Turkey issues new Navtex for gunnery exercise
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey issued a new navigational telex (Navtex) saying that it will carry out live-fire gunnery exercises in a location between Rhodes and Meis (Kastellorizo) islands on September 29, the dailies report on Monday.
The Turkish Naval Forces Office for Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography (OHNO) said “caution had been advised” for vessels sailing around the area.
Turkey making its voice heard with its defence industry
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“We are making a great effort to defend our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank said on Sunday.
Speaking to Russian news agency Sputnik, at the TEKNOFEST – Turkey’s Technology and Aerospace Festival, Varank said Turkey has made its voice heard in the world with its successful achievements in aviation, space and technology fields.
“If you want to be heard in the world both economically and politically and secure your seat at the table, you have to have something to show for it and Turkey, that is the developments in the defence industry,” Varank said.
Varank pointed out to the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and said Turkey is displaying a great effort to protect its rights in the region.
The Minister said Ankara is working hard to protect its lines in the Eastern Mediterranean and to protect its maritime jurisdiction area in line with our agreement signed with Libya.
“The only way to be successful in all these efforts is to be backed by a strong defence industry,” Varank concluded.
Higher Electoral Council announces rules for October 11 elections
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The Higher Electoral Council (YSK) announced the rules and measures to be followed during the presidential elections on October 11, the dailies report on Monday.
The YSK noted that the rules to be followed during the election will be different from the previous ones due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In this regard, the YSK will distribute each ballot officer a disinfectant for them to use throughout the election period. The ballot officers will also be responsible for ensuring that the voters are wearing face masks at all times. However, should the ballot officer need to verify the identity of the voter, s/he will lower the face mask upon the request from the officer.
The windows will be kept open at all times at the area used to place ballot boxes. The YSK will also distribute disposable gloves for the voters to use during the voting process.
The police officers on duty will ensure that the voters adhere to the social distancing rule within the premises and outside.
Necessary signage will be placed for the voters to adhere to the social distancing rule including markings on the ground to identify the distance from the other voter.