Front Page Headlines
Political will crushed to bits
It was announced in Ankara that the coastline of Maraş (Varosha) will be opened. The TRNC parliament, the MPs, the foreign minister, the president and the whole of the country learned of the decision from the live broadcast. Prime Minister Ersin Tatar flew to Ankara again and announced the decision together with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They announced that the beachfront of the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) will be opened on Thursday.
- (Republican Turkish Party-CTP leader) Tufan Erhürman: The will is ours. We shall decide – It is clear that what has been done just days before the election in defiance of the decisions of the High Electoral Council and by sidelining the institutions of this country is a direct interference in the election process. This is unacceptable in terms of our country’s democracy.
- Akıncı: “What has been experienced is a disgrace to our democracy”
- Foreign Minister Özersay: This is not the project aimed at reopening Maraş (Varosha)
- HP (Peoples’ Party) withdraws from government, coalition collapses – The HP which broke up the four-party coalition, opening the way for Ersin Tatar to become Prime Minister through the HP-UBP (National Unity Party) coalition withdrew from the government following yesterday’s (Tuesday) developments. The HP held Prime Minister Ersin Tatar responsible: “He ignored the country’s institutions and the state’s unity.”
Maraş (Varosha) coastal area opening
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, in his statements following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced that the coastal part of Maraş (Varosha) will be opened on Thursday.
- The government collapsed – The HP has decided to withdraw from the coalition government after stating that the “state institutions were disregarded and the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) is being risked with Tatar’s actions.”
- Water started flowing again – The repairs for the water pipeline, which supplies fresh water to the north, has been completed and water is flowing now. The pipeline had burst on January 8.
Double blow to political will
Despite the warnings from the Higher Electoral Council (YSK), two ceremonies were held in one day. The police only observed the ceremonies, which were clearly carried out in view of the elections and which the YSK had prohibited, from a distance. UBP leader and presidential candidate Ersin Tatar carried out a major operation to gain an advantage ahead of the elections on Sunday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with Tatar on his side instructed for the opening of the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha).
- HP withdrew from the government – The Maraş (Varosha) and water show caused a crisis in the government. The HP party assembly decided to withdraw from the coalition government.
- A disgrace to our democracy – Incumbent president and independent presidential candidate Mustafa Akıncı evaluated the ceremonies held to the mark the completion of repairs in the water pipeline and the partial opening of Maraş (Varosha).
- Harsh reaction from Erhürman – CTP leader and presidential candidate Tufan Erhürman said the developments on Tuesday were a blatant interference in the Turkish Cypriots’ political will.
- Final attempts by Tatar – Independent presidential candidate Serdar Denktaş said Ersin Tatar had embarrassed himself with the ceremony to reopen Maraş (Varosha).
- UN has not changed its position on Maraş (Varosha) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacted to the re-opening of the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha) and reminded the UN Security Council decisions on the fenced-off town.
Two messages from Turkey
While water from Anamur (Turkey) started to flow eight months later, work machinery entered Maraş (Varosha) after 46 years. The flow of water which had stopped since the beginning of January started to flow again yesterday (Tuesday). The “Life Water” brought on a pipeline suspended 250m below the sea through a project which cost ₺3bn (€325.5m) to complete will first be supplied to Nicosia and later to Famagusta. Work and construction machinery entered the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) for the first time in 46 years following the joint announcement by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The beachfront and coastal area is expected to be opened to the public tomorrow. Erdoğan who said that the next move will be to open the entirety of the closed town said that Ankara will support the TRNC in any way possible.
- HP withdraws –The government collapsed just five days before the election.
- It was a wrong move – Akıncı reacts to decision on Maraş (Varosha).
- “We will run this country” – Erhürman describes the latest move as interference in the elections.
Election blow from Erdoğan
The Higher Electoral Council’s (YSK) prohibitions on ceremonies are being blatantly violated. Turkey’s support for Ersin Tatar in the elections: Maraş (Varosha) and water. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ersin Tatar held an election show yesterday (Tuesday). While Erdoğan announced the news that water is flowing again, Tatar announced the opening of Maraş (Varosha).
- A disgrace to our democracy – Incumbent president and independent presidential candidate Mustafa Akıncı evaluated the ceremonies held to mark the completion of repairs in the water pipeline and the partial opening of Maraş (Varosha).
- The government collapsed – The People’s Party (HP) withdrew from the coalition government.
- Guterres is concerned – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the developments on Maraş (Varosha) were gravely concerning.
- “The reopening will be in line with international law” – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said that Maraş (Varosha) opening will be in line with international law and will not violate anyone’s rights.
Main News
Tatar says Maraş (Varosha) beach will open Thursday drawing harsh criticisms from TC politicians
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Governance and Power Sharing, Property, Territory, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said Tuesday that beaches in the long-abandoned town of Maraş (Varosha) will open Thursday.
“We see the Maraş (Varosha) issue as a national cause, which is above politics,” Tatar said, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
The officials met in the Turkish capital for the inauguration ceremony of the Turkey-Northern Cyprus water pipeline following the completed repair work.
Developments regarding Maraş (Varosha) were moving full speed ahead on Tuesday after rumours regarding the reopening of the fenced-off town were confirmed.
In a second surprise visit to Ankara in days, Tatar flew to Ankara on Tuesday afternoon to meet with Erdoğan.
Several news outlets reported that Tatar, prior to his departure told close associates that he had a great surprise in store.
Tatar’s visit was first believed to be part of a ceremony in Ankara to mark the resumption of water supply from Turkey to the north after it was interrupted last January to restore damage to the pipeline.
It later emerged that the real intention was to announce a move on Maraş (Varosha) in a bid to boost Tatar’s candidacy for Sunday’s presidential election.
“God willing, we will start to use the Maraş (Varosha) beach on Thursday morning together with our people,” Tatar said.
He added the opening of the coastal zone was the first concrete step on their road map for Maraş (Varosha).
During his joint press conference with Ersin Tatar, the Turkish President said, “It is a fact that Maraş (Varosha) is an area of the TRNC. We hope that the entirety of Maraş (Varosha) will open for use.
He said that Ankara was ready to give every kind of support to the Turkish Cypriot authorities towards that end.
“The objections of the opponent are futile, as there is no possibility for complaints being filed due to the lack of private property [in the area]. As the TRNC grows, it becomes richer and stronger, the chain of sanctions imposed on it will gradually begin to break, he said.”
He said that the move would be of great significance for Turkish Cypriots.
“Until today, it was always the Turkish Cypriots who have shown patience. Unfortunately, the patience shown was not mirrored. It is now understood that there is no room for a comprehensive solution. It is time to create a new road map on the new realities. Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the Turkish Cypriots,” the Turkish president added.
Erdogan also expressed certainty that Turkey will locate natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, stressing that Turkish Cypriots must definitely be represented at the forthcoming conference on the Eastern Mediterranean.
He added that the mentality of Greek Cypriots had not changed since 2004
Ersin Tatar for his part said that the Turkish Cypriots have the right to drill and thanked the Turkish government for the resumption of the water supply from Anatolia to the north.
Following the announcement, Tatar and Erdoğan were joined by a live link from Maraş (Varosha) by Famagusta Mayor Ismail Arter, Turkish Ambassador to the north Ali Murat Başçeri and the Commander of the Turkish Cypriot Security Brigadier General Zorlu Topaloğlu.
Meanwhile, the announcement was received with condemnation by various political circles and candidates in the north.
President Mustafa Akıncı, in a statement on Tuesday evening, slammed the announcement made by Tatar.
He repeated his view that the issue of Maraş (Varosha) can only be settled in a fashion that will not create an obstacle for the solution of the Cyprus Problem and which will be in accordance with international law.
Akıncı also said that the issue should be handled without entering any conflict with the UN.
“To exploit the issue of Maraş (Varosha) just days before the presidential election and as the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) is preparing to convene an informal five-party meeting immediately after the election will have grave consequences for the Turkish Cypriot people in the international arena,” he said.
Akıncı added that exploiting such an important issue which falls under the responsibility of the Office of the President for election purposes was an extremely wrong decision.
He said that the Turkish Cypriot community will give the necessary response by exercising its free will during Sunday’s election.
Akıncı also added that everyone was fully aware of what the ceremony for the pipeline was intended to achieve just days before the election took place.
“Such a move in defiance of the election bans is a disgrace to our democracy,” Akıncı concluded.
Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay also expressed his anger at Tatar’s announcement.
Accusing his coalition partner of exploiting Maraş (Varosha) for election purposes, Özersay said no decision had been taken on the fenced-off town by the Council of Ministers.
He said that there was no decision taken regarding lifting Varosha’s military area status and the move only concerned the beachfront extending all the way to Derinya (Dherinya)
“This announcement has nothing to do with the Maraş (Varosha) initiative or project to reopen the fenced-off town. The town’s military status, in other words, remains in place,” Özersay said in a written statement.
He reminded that changing Maraş’s (Varosha) military status would require a decision to be adopted by the Turkish Cypriot cabinet.
Özersay expressed anger that he was only informed of the announcement last minute after he had called Tatar on the phone.
“As I repeatedly warned earlier, any step to be taken to exploit such an important issue as Maraş (Varosha) on the eve of the elections would have grave consequences. Here we stand today having seen this,” Özersay said.
He slammed Tatar for ignoring the fact that his party was in a coalition with the Peoples’ Party (HP).
“It seems Mr Tatar has not yet understood that he is not alone in the government, that he is in a coalition and that such important decisions need to be taken together. For a person who is running to be the head of state not to know how the state functions or to ignore its rules of conduct is deeply troubling,” Özersay stressed.
He expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot community will not allow such political manoeuvres to be successful when it heads to the polls on Sunday.
Özersay concluded by stating that the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) can only be reopened on the basis of a scientific survey which is nearing completion.
“It is outright unacceptable for the north’s democracy to see blatant and direct meddling in the elections bypassing the state institutions and by disregarding the laws in place,” Tufan Erhürman, leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Tuesday.
In a social media post, Erhürman added he had no doubt that the Turkish Cypriots will once more claim ownership of their own political will by rejecting all attempts to interfere and meddle in the internal affairs of Turkish Cypriots.
“The Turkish Cypriot community wants a solution, not new problems,” Erhürman said
“We will continue to protect our rights on the basis of international law and we will not give up our efforts towards reaching the goal of a comprehensive settlement. We will not give up on our demands to for the removal of the isolations and embargoes,” Erhürman stressed.
“We will protect our political will and establish a future together. It is our will. We will decide and we will govern our land,” he concluded.
Independent candidate Serdar Denktaş also criticized Tatar, accusing him of clinging onto the lie that they were going to open Maraş (Varosha).
In a post on social media, he said that everyone knew very well the difference between opening the fenced-off city in accordance with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and international law and opening a stretch of beach.
“However, Mr Tatar, believing this would boost his chances of winning the election, chose to hang onto this lie,” he said.
Denktaş said the decision, taken without the approval of the Council of Ministers, without seeking the approval of the Turkish Cypriot parliament, by keeping the coalition partners in the dark and announcing it at a press conference in Ankara was an act of disrespect to the country, the Turkish Cypriot community and to one of the oldest parties in the country, the National Unity Party (UBP).
He added that Tatar had tried to deceive or subdue the people through biased surveys, by accusing the free press of conspiracy and by using the water from Turkey.
“Mr Tatar repeatedly invited Turkey to interfere in the elections in the democracy of the TRNC,” he said.
In a post on social media, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) described the decision as a dark stain on Turkish Cypriot democracy.
He said Tuesday’s press conference was yet another example of Turkey openly meddling in the north’s affairs and elections.
The Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı on the other hand, expressed support to the move, claiming that the decision to open the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha) was a reaction given by Ankara to the decisions adopted at the EU Summit.
Speaking during a programme on Bayrak, he pointed out that the decision taken on Tuesday was only the first step to be taken on the fenced-off town.
“The military status over Maraş (Varosha) must be lifted first and that the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) needs to start evaluating the property cases,” Arıklı said, adding that “today’s move should have been made 15 days ago but the cabinet could not take the necessary decisions.”
Also on Tuesday Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, welcomed the announcement.
He stressed the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) which had been kept closed for 46 years will be opened gradually.
“The fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) will be re-opened in line with international law without violating anyone’s rights,” Oktay wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General on Tuesday expressed concerned by the announcement made on the opening of the beach/coastline of Maraş (Varosha).
A statement made by the UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephan Dujarric said that the UN chief recalls that the position of the United Nations on Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged and is guided by relevant Security Council resolutions.
“The Secretary-General stresses the need to avoid any unilateral actions that could trigger tensions on the island and undermine the return to dialogue or the future success of talks. He calls on all parties to engage in dialogue in order to resolve their differences, and reiterates his readiness to bring the parties together,” the statement read.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Opening of the coastal zone is the first concrete step on their road map for Maraş (Varosha).
>> TCs have the right to drill in the East Med.
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> It is a fact that Maraş (Varosha) is an area of the north. Hopefully, the entirety of Maraş (Varosha) will open for use.
>> Ankara is ready to give every kind of support to the TC authorities towards that end.
>> The objections of the GC side are futile, as there is no possibility for complaints being filed due to the lack of private property (in the area).
>> As the north grows, it becomes richer and stronger; the chain of sanctions imposed on it will gradually begin to break.
>> The move will be of great significance for TCs. The patience shown by TCs has not been mirrored.
>> It is time to create a new road map on the new realities. Maraş (Varosha) belongs to the TCs.
>> Turkey will locate natural gas reserves in the East Med & TCs must definitely be represented at the forthcoming conference on the East Med.
>> Mentality of GCs has not changed since 2004.
Akıncı
>> The issue of Maraş (Varosha) can only be settled in a fashion that will not create an obstacle for the solution of the Cyprob & which will be in accordance with international law.
>> The issue should be handled without entering any conflict with the UN.
>> To exploit the issue of Maraş (Varosha) just days before the presidential election and as the UNSG is preparing to convene a 5+1 meeting will have grave consequences for the TC community internationally.
>>The TC community will give the necessary response by exercising its free will.
>> Everyone is fully aware of what the ceremony for the pipeline was intended to achieve just days before the election takes place.
>> Such a move in defiance of the election bans is a disgrace to our democracy.
Özersay (HP)
>> No decision had been taken on the fenced-off town by the Council of Ministers.
>> No decision has been taken regarding lifting Maraş’s (Varosha) military area status & the move only concerned the beachfront extending all the way to Derinya (Dherinya).
>> The announcement has nothing to do with the Maraş (Varosha) initiative or project to reopen the fenced-off town. Such a move would require a decision to be adopted by the TC cabinet.
>> Any step to be taken to exploit such an important issue as Maraş (Varosha) on the eve of the elections would be damaging. This is what has happened.
>>Tatar has ignored the fact that his party is in a coalition government. Such acts are deeply troubling.
>> TC community will not allow such political manoeuvres to be successful when it heads to the polls on Sunday.
>> Maraş (Varosha) can only be reopened on the basis of a scientific survey which is nearing completion.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> It is outright unacceptable for the north’s democracy to see blatant & direct meddling in the elections bypassing the state institutions & disregarding the laws in place.
>> TCs will once more claim ownership of their own political will rejecting & attempt to interfere or meddle in the internal affairs of TCs.
>> TC community wants a solution, not new problems.
>> TCs will continue to protect their rights on the basis of international law & will not give up their efforts towards reaching the goal of a comprehensive settlement.
>> TCs will not give up their demands for the lifting of isolations and restrictions.
Denktaş (DP)
>> Everyone knows very well the difference between reopening Maraş in accordance with UNSC resolutions & international law and opening a stretch of beach in the fenced-off town.
>> Tatar, believing this would win votes for him, chose to hang onto this lie.
>> The decision, taken without a cabinet decision, without bringing it to the attention of parliament or informing the government’s coalition partners & announcing it at a press conference in Ankara is an act of disrespect to the country, the TC community and the UBP.
>> Tatar has repeatedly invited Turkey to interfere in the elections in the democracy of the north.
Özyiğit (TDP)
>> The decision is a dark stain on TC democracy.
>> The move is yet another example of Turkey openly meddling in the north’s affairs & elections.
Arıklı (YDP)
>> The decision to open the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha) is Ankara’s reaction to the decisions adopted at the EU Summit.
>> The military status over Maraş (Varosha) must be lifted first & the IPC needs to start evaluating the property cases.
Oktay (Turkey)
>> Maraş (Varosha) will be re-opened in line with international law without violating anyone’s rights.
Guterres (UN)
>> Announcement on Maraş concerning.
>> The position of the UN on Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged and is guided by relevant UNSC resolutions.
>> Sides should avoid any unilateral actions that can trigger tensions on the island & undermine the return to dialogue or the future success of talks.
>> All parties need to engage in dialogue in order to resolve their differences.
HP withdraws from government
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing, Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The People’s Party (HP) leader Yenal Senin announced on Tuesday night that his party had decided to withdraw from the coalition government.
Following the party assembly meeting, which was called for an extraordinary meeting following the decision to re-open the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha), Senin said the HP could not remain callous to the developments throughout the day.
“It has become impossible to talk about state unity now. The reason behind the collapse of the coalition government is Ersin Tatar and the continuous inconsistencies of the UBP,” Senin stressed.
Senin noted that the HP still supports the Maraş (Varosha) initiative, which was the brainchild of former HP leader and independent presidential candidate Kudret Özersay. “The HP had declared support of Maraş (Varosha) initiative that will be executed without violating the international law,” Senin concluded.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that Özersay’s claims that he had been sidelined in the process were false and did not reflect the truth.
Tatar added that the UBP will continue to execute its duties until the elections in the north are completed.
“Everyone should rest assure that the UBP’s knows its responsibilities and the elections will go ahead as planned,” he said.
UCN: Vote for a united future
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
“Turkish Cypriots must to go to the ballot boxes and vote for a candidate whom, they are convinced, will work tirelessly for the unification of Cyprus, take positive action to bring Cypriots together and invest in politics in favour of building a common future,” the bicommunal activist group UniteCyprusNow (UCN) said on Tuesday.
In a statement issued, the UCN stressed that thousands of Greek Cypriots who are committed to a solution rely on the Turkish Cypriots’ common sense and their dedication for playing a role in uniting Cyprus.
Noting that they would not endorse any specific candidate at times of elections, the UCN highlighted the importance of the upcoming leadership election in the northern part of the island on October 11.
“The upcoming elections are crucial not only for Turkish Cypriots but also all Cypriots who hope for a safe, peaceful, united future for themselves and upcoming generations,” the UCN statement read.
It added that Cypriots are bound together and the choice of one community will have an impact on the other.
Referring to the recent statement made by the UN Secretary-General on convening a 5+1 informal conference on Cyprus following the October 11 elections, the UCN highlighted that there is a window of opportunity to reach a strategic agreement on the Cyprus issue as agreed by the two leaders during the Berlin trilateral.
“The Secretary-General will convene an informal five-party meeting after the elections in order to reach a strategic agreement on a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution, based on the equality of the two communities,” the statement read.
The UCN also drew attention to the recent surveys that the federal solution is only a preferred model at the negotiations table that is acceptable by both the communities.
“Deviation from the federal solution model would mean ensuring the continuation of the status quo, a condition that is neither sustainable nor beneficial for either side,” the UCN stressed.
The UCN urged the Turkish Cypriots to go to the ballot boxes on October 11.
“Go and vote. Play your part for a solution. Do not give up on our common future,” the UCN concluded.
Ankara slams EC report on Turkey
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“The 2020 Turkey report published by the European Commission, once again reveals the Union’s biased approach that is far from being constructive,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Ministry also rejected the report’s criticisms directed at the Turkish economy, democracy and courts.
Arguing that the report contains baseless arguments against Turkey, the Ministry said the EC did not touch on its responsibilities and commitments that it has not fulfilled.
“Biased, unfair and disproportionate criticism, especially regarding our government system, elections, fundamental rights, judicial decisions, administrative decisions and legitimate measures taken for the fight against terrorism as well as our foreign, security and economic policies, show how far the report is from objectivity,” the Ministry argued.
The Foreign Ministry argued that the EC’s objectivity was tainted with various reports on the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean even though Ankara was acting in line with democratic norms and international law.
“It is our sincere wish is for the EU to look at the candidate nation Turkey not through the narrow and selfish interests of certain circles, but rather through our continent’s larger and common interests, common vision,” the ministry concluded.