Front Page Headlines
‘Our political will is not for sale’
The interference before the elections and the financial assistance handed out 24 hours before the vote sparked reactions. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman said, “People who have been unable to take food home for months because of the government’s wrong decisions were handed financial assistance 24 hours before the election. We are handing over our political will and future to the Turkish Cypriot people. Independent candidate Serdar Denktaş said, “What this literally means is to vote for the person providing you with the assistance. This is a real insult.”
The voters will have the final say tomorrow (Sunday)
It is the final day before the presidential elections and the public referendum on the constitutional amendments. The Supreme Election Council (YSK) continues with its preparations for the election in which 198,867 voters are registered.
- The pandemic hospital is almost completed – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar went to the site.
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‘Last-minute’ shocker
Just hours before the election, President Mustafa Akıncı announced that he had been advised not to run. The Turkish embassy denied this. Akıncı who answered Diyalog Media’s Editor-in-Chief Reşat Akar’s questions on 2020TV made interesting claims. Akıncı who referred to constant meddling during his campaign period claimed that he had been told not to run for the goodness of his family.
- Gave support to a federal settlement – UN Security Council (UNSC) called on the TRNC to withdraw its decision on Maraş (Varosha). The UN Security Council called for dialogue.
- Investments being promoted – Greek Cypriot government gave 18 managers of a Chinese firm and the 42 members of the Saudi Arabian Sheik Mahfuz’s family citizenship in a lightning decision.
Akıncı and his family threatened by the deep state
President Mustafa Akıncı announced for the first time. Responding to a question on 2020TV, Akıncı revealed he had been threatened by the deep state to pull out of the presidential race. Akıncı, without giving any names, said the threat came from authorities who are loyal to Tayyip Erdoğan and who have “deep” relations with. He added that his private assistant has relayed the threat that it would be in the best interest of him and his family not to run as a candidate. Akıncı said he invited the Turkish Ambassador to his office to inquire about the threat but the Ambassador did not accept the invitation.
- The presidential elections will be held tomorrow (Sunday).
Main News
Maraş (Varosha) opening continues to be the main agenda item
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis , Diyalog , Avrupa
Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
The reopening of Maraş (Varosha), which is seen by many as an election ploy pulled by Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, continued to draw condemnation, this time at an international level s.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which convened on Friday to discuss the developments in the fenced-off town, expressed its deep concern in a statement issued regarding the reopening of the coastline of Maraş (Varosha).
“The UN Security Council reiterated that no actions should be carried out concerning Maraş (Varosha) that are not in accordance with the UNSC resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992),” the UNSC statement read.
“The UNSC demanded the reversal of this course of actions and for the avoidance of any unilateral actions that could raise tensions on the island,” the statement read.
The UNSC in its statement also reaffirmed the Security-Council’s commitment to finding a comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as set out in relevant UNSC resolutions.
“The UNSC calls on the Cypriot sides and the guarantor powers to engage in dialogue constructively and with a sense of urgency following the electoral process in the north,” the statement read and reiterated its support for the UN Secretary-General’s intention to convene a 5+1 meeting.
Nonetheless, the Turkish Foreign Ministry was quick to react to the UNSC and refuted its claims.
“The decision announced by the Turkish Cypriot authorities on the fenced city of Maraş (Varosha), the territory of the TRNC, does not cause any grievance in the area which is opened for visits,” the statement stressed and added that the status of the fenced-off town “remains unchanged.”
“Therefore, the claim that the decision violates the UN Security Council resolutions does not reflect the reality,” the Foreign Ministry argued and urged the international community to take into account the realities on the island and not the misleading arguments by the Greek Cypriot administration.
“Advocating for the continuation of the status quo will neither benefit the two peoples who are the co-owners of Cyprus Island, nor help the settlement of the Cyprus issue,” the statement concluded.
Echoing the same UNSC message, the US Embassy in Nicosia drew attention to the fact that the reopening of Maraş (Varosha)is inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789 and counterproductive to the resumption of settlement talks.”
In a statement issued, the Embassy reiterated that the US supports efforts toward de-escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The statement said the United States continues to call for the resolution of issues including the Cyprus problem through dialogue and in accordance with international law.
“The United States continues to support a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF), which would benefit all Cypriots, as well as the wider region,” the statement concluded.
In another development, well-known Turkish Cypriot lawyer Murat Metin Hakkı, who is currently defending the K.V. Mediterranean Tours Ltd. Before the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey, said the political ambitions and competition will not help resolve the Maraş (Varosha) issue.
Despite harsh criticisms and possible severe consequences on the Turkish Cypriot community, the Turkish Cypriot authorities are determined to keep the coastal area of Maraş (Varosha) open.
Speaking to Demirören News Agency (DHA) on Friday, Turkish Cypriot Tourism Minister Kutlu Evren said reopening one part of the fenced-off town is a historical development.
“We will focus on ‘dark tourism’ in Maraş (Varosha),” Evren said and added his ministry is focusing on alternative tourism models for the town.
He noted that he believes there will be significant interest from tourists wanting to see the now-opened area of Maraş (Varosha).
Speaking during a TV programme, Hakkı rejected the claims made by the Evkaf Administration of Cyprus and said the title deeds as of 1974 will be taken into consideration when the Immovable Property Commission resolves the property disputes. “The political race or ambitions will not help anyone. What needs to be done now is to re-open the fenced-off town under the Turkish Cypriot administration,” Hakkı concluded.
KEY ACTORS
MFA (Turkey)
>> Decision to open Maraş (Varosha) not a violation of UNSC resolutions.
>> Ankara fully supports TC side’s move on Maraş (Varosha).
>> Maraş (Varosha) move does not cause any grievance in the area.
>> Status of Maraş (Varosha) remains unchanged so UNSC resolutions are not violated.
>> International community should take into account realities on the island & not misleading info provided by GC side as well as consider developments without prejudice.
US
>> US supports efforts toward de-escalating tensions in the East Med.
>> Washington continues to call for the resolution of issues including the Cyprob through dialogue & in accordance with international law.
>> The US continues to support a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a BBF, which would benefit all Cypriots.
East Med tabled in Italy by defence ministers
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis , Diyalog , Avrupa
Regional/International Relations, External Security
OVERVIEW
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has discussed the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the issue of Libya with his Italian counterpart, the dailies report on Saturday.
In a statement from the Turkish Defence Ministry on Friday, Minister Akar, in addition to raising the issue of bilateral relations with Italy, underlined that Turkey is in favour of dialogue in the Eastern Mediterranean based on international maritime law.
“Despite Ankara’s positive and well-intended steps, the provocations in the region against Turkey continue,” Akar stressed.
“We are defending the right to determine the dialogue mechanisms between Turkey and Greece to prevent any accidents in the region. And we are hopeful in this aim of ours,” he said.
Akar added that the Turkish and Greek military delegations held their first technical meeting to form a mechanism for land and sea boundary clarification at the NATO base on Friday.
Turkey announced yet another Navtex
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis , Diyalog , Avrupa
Energy
OVERVIEW
Turkey has announced yet another navigational telex (Navtex) for the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa seismic research vessel in the Mediterranean, the dailies report on Saturday.
The Navtex, which will cover the period from October 10 to November 9 and is for Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa together with “Tanux-1” and “Apollo Moon” seismic research vessels to carry out hydrocarbon exploration activities off the coast of Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Two Bangladeshis found & detained by the police
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis , Diyalog , Avrupa
Migration & Citizenship, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Two Bangladeshi nationals were found near the Famagusta Akyar (Strovillia) crossing point on Friday and detained by the police, the dailies report on Saturday.
Charged with unlawful entry into the north, the Bangladeshi men were taken under quarantine at the police station.
During a court hearing held in their absence, the court remanded the men for three days.