TCC Press Review 6 July 2021

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Tests are also being handed over to Turkey

A new claim has been made following the handing over of tenders for the construction of roads and a new hospital (in the north) to Ankara. It has emerged that attempts are being made to hand over PCR testing carried out at Ercan (Tymbou) airport and other control points to a private company in Turkey through the North Cyprus Red Crescent Association. The President of the Association claimed that the system they were planning to set up at the airport did not exist in labs in Cyprus and that they will be acquiring services from a company in Turkey. Finance Minister Cengiz Çoli said it was too early to make any formal comment. While sources close to the health ministry have confirmed such plans they have said that no final decision has been made.

Kıbrıs

Overcome by languor

The discovery of the ‘Delta variant’ of the coronavirus, which is more dangerous and more transmissible in our country at a time when the number of positive cases is on the rise, causes concern. Dr Sibel Siber urged everyone to get vaccinated and to comply with social distancing, hygiene and face mask rules. She also warned that getting together in crowds should be prevented.

  • Funds up to ₺100m (€9.7m) releasedPrime Minister Ersan Saner announced funds up to ₺100m (€9.7m)have been released as part of the contributions to be made within the second grant package from Turkey.

Havadis

Crisis in numbers

According to data obtained from the Turkish Cypriot Building Contractors’ Association, there is a decrease in the number of construction applications submitted from 2018 to 2020. 2,873 applications were made in 2018 however in 2019, there were 2,293 and in 2020 there were only 2,070 applications made.

  • Finally, the private sector was remembered – Prime Minister Ersan Saner made announcements that the government was very happy about after the cabinet meeting.
  • “Respect the people” – Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit reacted to Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay’s remarks.

Diyalog

He shot him from his head

Emel Avcıbaşı shot and seriously wounded his neighbour Naci Tekin with a hunting rifle over a property line dispute. The quarrel in Yedidalga (Potamos tou Kampou) which had been going on for some time now finally turned bloody. Avcıbaşı who fired shots at his neighbour after getting drunk serious injured him. He appeared before the Güzelyurt (Morphou) court and was ordered by the judge to remain in police custody for three days. On the other hand, Tekin who was admitted to the Near East Hospital in Nicosia is said to have life-threatening wounds. It’s most likely he will lose sight in one eye. Pallets shot from the rifle have also moved into his brain.

  • Another death in the south – 66 cases in the North, 787 cases in the South.
  • Two people were arrested – 27.5kgs of drugs were seized at Larnaca Airport.

Avrupa

AKP members are behind it

Look who is behind the company that the TRNC Council of Ministers is considering granting a preliminary permit for online betting operations… Kemal Şentürkler is registered as the Director of the Probet Technology Company, which is owned by Dimağ Çağıner, head of the Hoteliers’ Association. The company was established on July 2, 2021, and immediately applied for an online betting permit. However, it is believed members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) are behind the company, which was founded only to be handed over to them shortly afterwards. It is also noted that Çağıner was not very willing to do so but had to launch this initiative due to insistence from the AKP members.

  • YDP falling apart – Rebirth Party (YDP) MP Bertan Zaroğlu said he will resign from the party together with 2,000 party members at noon today.
  • 100 dönüms (dunams) to Denktaş University – People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay refuted the claims made by Finance Minister Dursun Oğuz with a document published on social media and said preparations are underway to lease 100 dönüms (dunams) of land in Metehan (Agios Domethios) area to Denktaş University.
  • Murderers have not been found yet – Remembering Kutlu Adalı. He shot and killed outside his home 25 years ago however those who did not want to solve the murder did not.

Main News

“A BFF remains the most feasible & realistic solution model,” says TDP leader Özyiğit

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit on Monday reiterated that a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) is the most feasible and realistic solution model in Cyprus, adding that any other model proposed would only reinforce the current partition on the island.

Özyiğit was responding to recent remarks made by the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar claiming that the efforts for a federal solution on the island were exhausted.

“The Turkish Cypriot community’s goals for a solution are very clear and that is a BBF based on the political equality of the two communities despite some people’s dreams and aspirations,” Özyiğit said in a written statement.

He also recalled Turkey’s interference in the presidential elections in the north, adding that it was ultimately up to the Turkish Cypriots themselves to decide how they wanted the Cyprus Problem to be solved. “Turkish Cypriots will decide on the direction Cyprus will head to and everyone must respect the Turkish Cypriots’ political will,” Özyiğit said.

The TDP leader also warned that the two-state model will only serve to further isolate and alienate the Turkish Cypriots from the world, eventually causing them to lose what they have gained through great hardships through negotiations.

“What needs to be done at this point is to push for a results-oriented process for a federal settlement because federation will in the best interest of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots,” Özyiğit concluded.

KEY ACTORS
Özyiğit (TDP)
>> BBF is the most realistic & viable option for a solution to Cyprob.
>> Alternative solution models will only reinforce division & further isolate TCs from the rest of the world.
>> There is a need to push for a results-oriented process for a federal settlement.


Tatar: We will not give up on our positions in Cyprus

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side will not abandon its position in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality. He claimed that the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Cyprus is the biggest obstacle before the settlement.

Speaking at a conference at Fırat University in the Turkish province of Elazığ, Tatar argued that the UNSC resolution dated March 4, 1964, which was an unfair and a political decision at the time, recognized the Greek Cypriot controlled Republic of Cyprus (RoC) as the sole legitimate administration on the island.

Tatar argued that the resolution, which constitutes the basis of the current UN parameters remains as a hindrance to the solution, while the Greek Cypriot side had played for time to bring the Turkish Cypriots to their knees.

“As long as the UN resolution remains intact, the Greek Cypriot side will not agree to a fair and a lasting agreement on the island,” Tatar stressed, adding that the Greek Cypriot side has deceived both the Turkish Cypriot side and the world with open-ended negotiations to date.

“The Turkish Cypriots will not tolerate being taken hostage at the negotiations table for another 53 more years,” he said, arguing that a federal settlement is not possible. Tatar added as a result the Turkish Cypriot side with Ankara’s support has tabled the solution model based on two equal states.

Tatar also argued that while the Turkish Cypriot side advocated for a two-state solution, it also kept the channels of dialogue open with the Greek Cypriot side. “However we have only seen a rejectionist and irreconcilable attitude,” he said.

Tatar also lashed out at the EU, accusing the bloc of adopting a biased stance in favour of the Greek Cypriot side. It said the Greek Cypriot side was using its EU membership to issue threats or resort to blackmail which in turn stoked tensions on the island and the region.

He complained that same intransigence was observed during the informal five-plus-one Cyprus conference in Geneva, as both Greece and the Greek Cypriot side had laid preconditions ahead of the informal conference which included the annulment of the guarantees treaty, the return of Maraş (Varosha) and the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island.

“Despite all the pressure from the Greek and the Greek Cypriot duo and their supporters, the Turkish Cypriot side tabled its two-state solution model based sovereign equality in Geneva,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side will not barge an inch from its positions.

He argued that the two-state solution model is also the most realistic option on the island and is in the best interest of all relevant sides.

Earlier in the day in Elazığ, Tatar also said, “God willing, we have closed the chapter on federation.” Speaking during a visit to a war veterans association in the city, Tatar recalled that late Rauf Denktaş was also in favour of a two-state solution, but he could not bring it to the agenda because the federal model was at the table as the main position.

“We with Turkey’s full support are now advocating for two independent states that have equal sovereignty,” Tatar stressed, reiterating his belief that the federal model is aimed at cutting off Turkish Cypriots’ ties with Turkey, adding that the Greek and the Greek Cypriot side’s ploys will no doubt fail.

“We will continue to protect our rights on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean together with Turkey,” Tatar stressed, reminding that July 20 ceremonies on the island will be more meaningful this year with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s participation.

KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> TC side will not abandon its position in favour of a two-state solution.
>> Two-state solution model is also the most realistic option on the island & is in the best interest of all relevant sides.
>> The TC side has closed the chapter on federation.


Police issue statement on Adalı’s murder ahead of the protest march

Yenidüzen, Avrupa
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

Turkish Cypriot police Monday issued a statement informing the public that it had asked for information on Kutlu Adalı’s murder from Turkey one day before the 25th anniversary of his assassination and one day before the protest march organized by “This Country is Ours” Platform.

The police statement stressed it is diligently investigating the murder case and the case will be continued given the recently surfaced evidence to be obtained from Turkey.

This Country is Ours” Platform had announced it will organise a march on July 6 to mark the anniversary of Kutlu Adalı’s assassination as well as to put pressure on the Turkish Cypriot police and other officials to launch an investigation given the recent evidence which surfaced on the perpetrators.

The Platform also noted that BASIN-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union), Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Left Movement separately, have decided to cancel their own event to be held for the same purpose and to join the platform on July 6.


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