TCC Press Review 8 Oct 2020

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

‘Maraş (Varosha) at the ballot box’

The seafront of the closed-off town of Maraş (Varosha) is expected to be opened to the public today (Thursday). The decision to open the seafront of Maraş (Varosha) announced by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara is to be implemented at 4 pm today (Thursday).

  • Maraş decision in the South’s press: “Election present from Erdoğan to Tatar”
  • Russia: “We are concerned by the decision”
  • Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay: “Tatar said, “I don’t know myself. I’ll get back to you.” “I watched it live on TV”
  • How will the constitutional process work? The government needs to hand in its resignation
  • Governments keep coming and going: Özkan Yorgancıoğlu: 22 months, Ömer Kalyoncu: nine months, Hüseyin Özgürgün: 20 months, Tufan Erhürman: 15 months, Ersin Tatar: 16 months.

Kıbrıs

Exciting day at Maraş (Varosha)

The seafront of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha), which is located within TRNC territories and which has been kept closed for 46 years, will be opened this morning (Thursday) for public use.

  • 12m tons of water used in nine months from local resources – It was not possible to prevent water shortages even though the local water resources were used when the water supply pipeline from Turkey broke on January 8.
  • Nine children, a total of 32 undocumented migrants were found in Avtepe (Agios Symeon) – Police during a routine patrol, found Syrian refugees who entered the north unlawfully.
  • The equipment for the pandemic hospital arrived in the north – Eight lorries loaded with equipment and five ambulances arrived yesterday (Wednesday).

Havadis

“Nothing can stand before the people’s will”

Incumbent president and independent presidential candidate Mustafa Akıncı emphasized the importance of the October 11 elections for Turkish Cypriot people’s fate, political will and future. Akıncı said there had been similar attempts to meddle in the TRNC’s elections in the past but it was the first time it was so blatantly done. “The Turkish Cypriot people will no doubt give its democratic response to the interference,” Akıncı said.

  • Entry into Maraş (Varosha) through registration at a military gate – It is revealed that what the National Unity Party (UBP) leader and presidential candidate Ersin Tatar claimed as “re-opening” is nothing but the same procedure as allowing access to the Derinya (Deryneia) beach three years ago.
  • Waves of refugees on our coasts – Police last night (Wednesday) found 32 undocumented Syrian migrants. Nine of them are children.
  • Prosecutor’s office must launch legal proceedings – The Higher Electoral Council repeated that the candidates must comply with the election prohibition laws in place.

Diyalog

The ballot boxes can stay where they are

Ministers from the National Unity Party (UBP) want the government to hand in its resignation after the presidential election, stating they are ready for early elections. All eyes have turned to Prime Minister Ersin Tatar after coalition partners, the Peoples’ Party (HP) withdrew from the government. While the opposition is expecting Tatar to visit Akıncı to hand in his government’s resignation, the UBP is stating that this could take place after the election. Several UBP MPs speaking to Diyalog, have voiced the possibility of early elections. They say the UBP is ready, giving the message that the ballot boxes could remain where they are.

  • He won’t make it to the second round – Kudret Özersay who says that the government must hand in its resignation to the president claimed that Prime Minister Ersin Tatar will not make it to the second round.

Avrupa

New gate to enter Maraş (Varosha)

The Turkish side, which did not care at all about the reactions, has started its activities in the fenced-off town. A new gate and a control point were installed to allow entry into Maraş (Varosha). The municipality workers cleaned the shrubbery in the area.

Main News

Beachfront opening in Maraş (Varosha) generates harsh criticisms

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Governance and Power Sharing, Property, Territory, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

The move made by Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to announce the opening of the coastal area in Maraş (Varosha) in a bid to boost Tatar’s candidacy for Sunday’s presidential election despite severe consequences for the Turkish Cypriot community, continues to draw harsh criticisms from all circles in the north.

“We are faced with a new fait accompli,” the Famagusta Initiative said in a statement on Wednesday.

The initiative condemned the moves in the fenced-off town and urged the UN to take on proactive steps to create an environment of dialogue and collaboration for Maraş (Varosha).

“The reopening of Maraş (Varosha) in line with international law by respecting the basic human rights would have been a more effective confidence-building measure (CBMs) compared to the unilateral steps taken by the Turkish Cypriot authorities,” the initiative stressed.

It added that the unilateral steps taken have resulted in dividing the Turkish Cypriot community further.

Describing the re-opening of the seafront of the town as a “provocative act,” the initiative stressed the unilateral act will not only harm the relations between the two communities on the island but will also have consequences that will negatively affect the future of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

“The move to reopen the Maraş beachfront (Varosha), which has been held as a hostage for decades, will give the necessary pretext for the international actors to impose further sanctions,” the initiative argued.

The Famagusta Initiative also drew attention to the fact that the future of the island can only be determined by the members of the two communities of the island.

“We believe the right to determine the future of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots lie in the hands of their joint will and the future of Maraş (Varosha) can only be determined by the democratic will of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots,” the initiative stressed.

Recalling the existing UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 550 and 789, the initiative urged the UN to take immediate steps to create the environment conducive for dialogue for Maraş (Varosha).

“The fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha) must be taken up as a peace project by respecting the property rights of the lawful owners of the immovable properties,” the initiative concluded.

Echoing the same message, the Left Movement drew attention to standing UN Security Council resolutions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdullah Korkmazhan on behalf of the Left Movement argued it is not possible to open Maraş (Varosha) as long as the Security Council resolutions are in force.

“Furthermore, using Maraş (Varosha) as part of the elections to gain leverage over other candidates is unacceptable and trying to make a fool of the Turkish Cypriots are only futile efforts,” the movement stressed.

Urging the Turkish Cypriot authorities to cease all their activities regarding Maraş (Varosha), Korkmazhan said the unilateral steps that are blatant meddling in the upcoming elections will put the Turkish Cypriot side in a difficult position in the international arena especially when efforts are underway by the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) to convene an informal 5+1 conference.

“The Left Movement has no doubts that the Turkish Cypriot community will give the appropriate response to the interference in its democracy and its political will, on October 11,” Korkmazhan concluded.

In the meantime, former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat harshly criticised the National Unity Party’s (UBP) candidate Ersin Tatar for breaking the election bans through Ankara.

In a social media post, Talat added that using Ankara to boost his position for Sunday’s election was inappropriate.

“What is worse is that what had been done so far for Maraş (Varosha), will spark reactions from the UNSC,” Talat argued.

He harshly criticised Tatar for doing anything and everything possible to win the elections.

“It is so unfortunate that the positions vis-à-vis the Cyprus problem obtained through decades of work had been wasted,” Talat concluded.

Jale Refik Rogers, the General Secretary of the People’s Party (HP) reiterated Talat’s point and said Maraş (Varosha) cannot be opened overnight with a unilateral act.

Speaking during a HaberKıbrıs web TV programme, Refik recalled that there had been a plan to be implemented gradually for the reopening of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha).

She said Mr Tatar decided to take steps overnight despite prohibitions in place and seriously harmed the Turkish Cypriots’ position in the international arena.

“Not only has Mr Tatar undermined the authority of the state institutions, but he has also undermined the Turkish Cypriots’ political will in his unilateral acts,” Refik stressed.

“The unilateral decision to allow civilian access to some parts of the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha) is not only a violation of the UNSC resolutions but also Turkey’s attempt to interfere in the Turkish Cypriot elections,” the UniteCyprusNow said on Wednesday.

In a statement issued, the UCN added that Tuesday’s decisions on the fenced-off town were efforts to give leverage to Mr Ersin Tatar over the other candidates bypassing the elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

“This is yet another example of the deteriorating and unsustainable status-quo and failure of short-sighted politicians missing the big picture of the comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem,” the UCN stressed.

The bicommunal activist group argued that the Cypriots have been outraged with the “missed opportunities to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and with the Cypriot politicians who have failed the people.”

“Regardless of our anger, we have many more reasons to be more determined than ever to fight even stronger for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem that will allow our country to be finally united and enjoy stability,” the UCN stressed and argued the latest developments in Maraş (Varosha) is an example of the problems that the Cypriots will be faced with should the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.

“Without a Cyprus problem solution, the country and its people remain vulnerable to outside interference, pressures and constant defeats by so many more provocations that will be stemming from the Cyprus problem itself,” the UCN stressed and urged the Turkish Cypriots to go and vote to “demonstrate their determination to resist outside interventions.”

“We call on all Cypriots to push their politicians to prioritize and show commitment to the solution of the Cyprus problem that continues to pose real threats to the well-being of us and generations to come,” the UCN concluded.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it believed that the decision to open part of Maraş (Varosha) beach of the fenced-off city of Famagusta was unacceptable.

The announcement, published by BBC Turkish, also pointed out that unilateral actions, violating already made decisions of the UNSC are creating additional difficulties for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus problem.

“The Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the UNSC, remains consistent with the ways of settlement defined by the said decisions and is ready to assist in their implementation,” the announcement noted.

Moreover, the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the quicker resumption of the talks for a Cyprus solution would permit a constructive atmosphere, which would contribute to the finding of compromises, also on the issue of Maraş (Varosha).

KEY ACTORS
Famagusta Initiative
>> We are faced with a new fait accompli.
>> Condemned the moves in the fenced-off town.
>> The UN to take on proactive steps to create an environment of dialogue & collaboration for Maraş (Varosha).
>> Obvious that the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) in line with international law by respecting the basic human rights would have been a more effective CBM compared to the unilateral steps taken by the TC authorities.
>> The unilateral steps have resulted in dividing the TC community further.
>> The re-opening of the seafront of Maraş (Varosha) is a “provocative act.”
>> The unilateral act will not only harm the relations between the two communities on the island but also will have consequences that will negatively affect the future of TCs & of Turkey.
>> The move will give the necessary pretext for the international actors to impose further sanctions.
>> The future of the island can only be determined by the members of the two communities of the island.
>> The right to determine the future of the TCs & GCs lie in the hands of their joint will and the future of Maraş (Varosha) can only be determined by the democratic will of the TCs & GCs.
>> Maraş (Varosha) must be taken up as a peace project by respecting the property rights of the lawful owners of the immovable properties.

Left Movement
>> Not possible to open Maraş (Varosha) as long as UNSC resolutions are in force.
>> Using Maraş (Varosha) as part of the elections to gain leverage over other candidates is unacceptable & trying to make a fool of the TCs are only futile efforts.
>> The TC authorities must cease all their activities regarding Maraş (Varosha).
>> The unilateral steps that are blatant meddling in the upcoming elections will put the TC side in a difficult position in the international area especially when the efforts are underway to convene the informal 5+1 conference.
>> The TC community will give the appropriate response to the interference in its democracy & its political will, on October 11.

Talat
>> Using Ankara to gain leverage in Sunday’s election was not appropriate.
>> What had been done so far for Maraş (Varosha), will cause reactions from the UNSC.
>> Tatar is wrong for doing anything & everything possible to win the elections.
>> It is so unfortunate that the positions vis-à-vis the Cyprob obtained through decades of work had been wasted.

Refik (HP)
>> There had been a plan to be implemented gradually for the reopening of the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha).
>> Tatar’s unilateral move will seriously harm the TCs’ position in the international arena.
>> Tatar not only undermined the authority of the state institutions but the TCs’ political will as well.

UCN
>> The unilateral decision to allow civilian access to some parts of Maraş (Varosha) is a violation of the UNSC resolutions & Turkey’s attempt to interfere in the TC elections.
>> The move is another example of the deteriorating & unsustainable status-quo & failure of short-sighted politicians missing the big picture of the comprehensive solution to the Cyprob.
>> Cypriots have been outraged with the “missed opportunities to find a solution to the Cyprob & with the Cypriot politicians who have failed the people.
>> Despite the outrage, there are many reasons to be more determined than ever to fight even stronger for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprob that will unite Cyprus.
>> The latest developments in Maraş (Varosha) is an example of the problems that the Cypriots will be faced with should the Cyprob remain unsolved.
>> Without a solution to the Cyprob, Cyprus & its people remain vulnerable to outside interference, pressures & constant defeats by so many more provocations.
>> The TCs should go & vote to “demonstrate their determination to resist outside interventions.”
>> Urging all Cypriots to push their politicians to prioritize & show commitment to the solution of the Cyprob that continues to pose real threats to the well-being of us & generations to come.

Russian MFA
>> The decision to open part of Maraş (Varosha) beach is unacceptable.
>> Unilateral actions, violating already made decisions of the UNSC are creating additional difficulties for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprob.
>> Russia, as a permanent member of the UNSC, remains consistent with the ways of settlement defined by the said decisions and is ready to assist in their implementation.
>> The quicker resumption of the Cyprus solution talks will permit a constructive atmosphere, which will contribute to the finding of compromises, also on the issue of Maraş (Varosha).


Crews open gate at Maraş (Varosha) allowing access to the seafront

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process, Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

An entry point to Maraş’s (Varosha) seafront, in the closed part of the ghost town, was set up by construction crews on Wednesday, Turkish Cypriot media reported on Wednesday

A gate was opened near a football stadium at the edge of the fenced-off city and a portable cabin was placed at the entry point.

It is from that point people will be granted entry into the area.

Bayrak reported that access will be permitted from 11 am on Thursday but the time was later changed to 4 pm.

The main street leading to the beachfront was also cleared of vegetation and overgrowth before it was asphalted.

Kıbrıs newspaper on Thursday reported that everyone will be able to access the seafront of the closed-off town but the checkpoint erected at the newly opened gate suggests otherwise.

The daily also claimed that other parts of the fenced-off town will be cleared phase by phase and transformed into a civilian area.


Özersay continues to cry foul over Tatar stealing his thunder on Maraş (Varosha)

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing, Property, Territory

OVERVIEW

Kudret Özersay, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, on Wednesday, continued to lambast his former coalition partner, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar for stealing his thunder by announcing he would be reopening the closed-off Maraş (Varosha) beachfront.

Ozersay’s Peoples’ Party (HP) on Tuesday announced it had decided to leave the coalition government over the decision.

Özersay, who was the first to call for the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) under Turkish Cypriot control, said he was against Tatar’s decision because he had turned the issue into a campaign matter ahead of Sunday’s presidential elections.

Özersay had shot a campaign video in Maraş (Varosha) to advocate his policy on the fenced off-city.

Speaking on a web TV programme on Wednesday, Özersay went on to say Tatar went behind his back with the announcement to open the closed-off area on Tuesday.

He said that Tatar had played dumb after he had questioned him following rumours circulating about his visit to Ankara.

“When I called him in Ankara he told me he didn’t know himself and that he would be getting back to me. I, like everyone else, heard it live on television,” Özersay said.

“Ersin Tatar has complete responsibility for everything that happened and for the dissolution of the government,” he added.

Özersay complained that Tatar had pulled a similar stunt with his visit to Ankara last week during which he met with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay concerning financial assistance from Ankara.

“You can’t hide such an important issue like this from your coalition partners just four days before the election. He did tell me he was going to Turkey yesterday (Tuesday) but said nothing about the Maraş (Varosha) decision. He should have sought my approval not just as foreign minister but as partners in government,” Özersay complained.

He accused Tatar of disrespecting the Turkish Cypriot community’s political will, the state’s institutions and of violating election bans.

Özersay also defended the HP, stating that the party had been tolerating the UBP for some time now so that the country would not experience a crisis of government during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Tatar told reporters before a meeting of his party’s assembly on Wednesday that all options regarding the government and early elections would be evaluated.

He said that the moves on Maraş (Varosha) had been decided jointly with Turkey and their coalition partners.

Tatar denied that he had kept Özersay in the dark, accusing him of quitting the government for political reasons.  

No statement was issued after the meeting held on Wednesday afternoon.

Several MPs who spoke to Diyalog newspaper claimed that the party’s top brass supported the idea of holding early elections.


32 undocumented Syrian migrants taken under police custody


Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Migration & Citizenship, Human Rights, Internal Security

OVERVIEW

32 undocumented Syrian migrants who arrived by boat at a beach near Avtepe (Agios Symeon) on Wednesday evening, were apprehended by police, the dailies reported.

The officers who were on their routine patrol, found the migrants, according to a police statement.

The group of 16 males, seven females and nine children were then transferred to İskele (Trikomo) for medical checks and PCR tests.

The migrants were placed at a sports facility in İskele (Trikomo).

It is reported the police investigation is still underway on the case.


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