GCC Press Review 29 Oct 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

They cannot even agree on the title of the envoy

A month after the trilateral meeting between Guterres, Anastasiades and Tatar they are still… searching.  Nicosia is turning to the mandate that the envoy will receive from the UN Secretary-General, stating that the nomenclature does not matter. The government spokesman says that we should expect the appointment of the person selected by the UNSG within the coming weeks. Mevlut Cavusoglu launched a fierce, irritated attack against Nikos Dendias, calling him a small child “who cries at least five times a day”.

  • US-Turkey: Biden has cancelled on Erdogan again

Phileleftheros

SOS by hospitals

100 beds in Nicosia have been inactivated. The smooth operation of the health system is at risk. They are asking for 100 nurses so that the wards and intensive care units for covid patients remain open.

  • The envoy’s mandate is key for what comes next
  • Tensions between parties on the Pandora Papers
  • Cyprus proudly honoured the historic Ochi – Emotional moments for the occupied schools.
  • Tayyip Erdogan states he is always in an offensive line – “For me, the word retreat does not exist.” (on the case about the ambassadors calling for Osman Kavala’s release)

Haravgi

33,000 children are at risk of poverty and exclusion

Data on Cyprus in the Eurostat report.

  • Cyprus problem: Neither ‘special’ nor ‘personal’, just envoy of the UNSG
  • October 28, 1940: Parades with messages for struggle, patriotism and antifascism
  • Fears for covering up the ‘Offshore president’ scandal (Pandora Papers)

Cyprus Mail

Russians pick sun over a lockdown

Residents of Moscow opt for Mediterranean over Covid curbs.

  • Ochi Day Parade: (Photo caption) Pupils take part in the Ochi (No) Day parade outside the Greek embassy in Nicosia, one of several events held across the island to mark Greek resistance to an ultimatum from the Axis powers on October 28, 1940

Alithia

Where did the 114,000 bullets go?

Concerns escalate. Police investigations have proven futile so far. Despite intensive investigations and questionings, police failed to locate the perpetrators, with the possibility the ammunition to have ended up in the hands of criminals.

  • Anastasiades: What’s important is the mandate of the UN envoy, not the title
  • Famagusta mayor: If Varosha opens we will not be talking about a territorial issue anymore
  • Cyprus and Greece honoured October 28
  • Fuel prices in Cyprus are below the EU average according to data by the EU Commission – The government is taking all the necessary measures to prevent profiteering.

Main News

Anastasiades: Mandate, not UNSG envoy’s title important

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

The dailies report on statements by President Nicos Anastasiades that it was not the title of the envoy to be appointed by the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus problem that was important but his or her mandate.

Anastasiades was asked about the matter after the liturgy at the Ayios Varnavas Cathedral at the Archbishopric on Thursday morning to mark the October 28, 1940 Ochi Day.

Asked if there is any information regarding the appointment of a special envoy by the UN secretary-general on the Cyprus issue, Anastasiades said that “various things are being said.”

“I hope we will have concrete results soon,” he added.

On reports about an initiative by Britain on just giving the title of ‘envoy’ to whomever is appointed for the job to help end the impasse, the president said the title was not important.

“What matters is not the nomenclature, but the mandate,” he said.

Asked to comment on TC leader Ersin Tatar’s latest statements on the Cyprus problem, he said: “first and foremost today we honour the virtues of the Greeks.” He added that the liberation of either Greece or from the colonial yoke was achieved due to the virtues possessed by the Greeks.

“At this time, we need this virtue. To join forces to intensify our struggles through diplomacy, international law, the European Union, to give the due response to either Mr Tatar or his instructor, Mr Erdogan,” Anastasiades said.

Government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said the appointment was expected within the coming weeks.

Haravgi reports there is nothing concrete at the moment as regards the appointment of an envoy and that all statements on this are based on backstage reassurances Nicosia has been receiving.

KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>>
The most important thing is the mandate of the envoy the UNSG will appoint on Cyprob, not his/her title.
>> Calls for unity so that GC side can give the due response to Tatar & the man calling the shots, Erdogan, through diplomacy, international law & the EU.


Ioannou: Opening of Varosha would be the end of territorial issue for Famagusta

Alithia
Property, Territory, Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou expressed concerns over the possible return of Varosha refugees under TC administration before the solution of the Cyprus problem, the daily reports.

Asked to comment by the daily on statements by TC leader Ersin Tatar that Varosha would gradually open for settlement, Ioannou said both he and the municipal council were concerned. He said Tatar’s statement that 40 people have filed to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) for return of their properties in the area that was demilitarised in Varosha was not a positive development.

Ioannou also said, however, that no one could tell refugees what to do with their properties but believes that those who filed to the IPC claim their properties from the occupation power.

He pointed out that Turkey has launched a ‘salami slicing’ tactic on Varosha, something he had warned about long ago. According to Ioannou possible opening of Varosha with the method used in the fenced area, means “we will no longer be able to talk about a territorial issue or any other issue concerning Famagusta.”

The mayor also said that there were two schools of thought among Varosha refugees on claims to the IPC but that the municipality was “unilaterally and clearly supporting the government position that points out to the risks of turning to the committee in question.”

Ioannou said that many opportunities were lost for Famagusta’s return to its residents which is something that cannot be overlooked.

He stressed that time was running in Turkey’s favour and called for international pressure on Ankara to stop the faits accomplis it creates in Famagusta and agree to talks for a solution based on the agreed basis and UN resolutions.

Famagusta municipality, he said, continues briefing the EU and the international community on the Turkish provocation in Varosha.


GCs mark Ochi Day

Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

All dallies report on the parades and events held on Thursday in Cyprus and Greece to mark the October 28 public holiday that commemorates Greece’s rejection of the ultimatum by the Axis powers and the country’s entry into WW II.

President Nicos Anastasiades and other state officials attended student parades and church services in all districts to honour ‘Ochi (No) Day’.

Anastasiades and Greece’s Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Michalis Varvitsiotis took the salute at the parade along Byron Avenue, in front of the Greek Embassy, in which WWII veterans, school and university students, scouts, refugee, cultural and sports associations took part, to the tunes of the National Guard and police bands.

Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides attended the military parade that took place in Thessaloniki, in the presence of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. He expressed Cyprus’ gratitude for daily support in ensuring its territorial integrity.

Haravgi reports that AKEL honoured this anniversary as a struggle against fascism and the Greek people’s heroic resistance first to Italian fascism and later to the German Nazis. It also honoured those executed by the Nazis in Greece and those who died of hunger and hardship during the German occupation.

AKEL also paid homage and expressed its gratitude to the Cypriot volunteers – GCs and TCs – who fought and sacrificed in WW II, among them, many AKEL followers, who, responding to the party’s call, fought in Greece, Europe, and North Africa “in the world-historical battle to save humanity and human civilisation from the monster of Nazism.”

Phileleftheros reports that yesterday’s anniversary was also linked with the Cyprus problem with several groups taking part in the parade in Nicosia making references to it.

The message of the Adouloti (Free) Kyrenia Association that ‘Cyprus will be free only when Kyrenia is freed’ was clear and timeless, the daily reported. Members of the Pancyprian Association of 1974 Prisoners also marched, with the group’s head, Vasos Christou, holding the banner, escorted by two former international football players: APOEL’s Takis Dionysiou and Omonoia’s Nicos Pattichis, Phileleftheros reports.


Cavusoglu says Greek FM ‘like a crying child’

Phileleftheros, Politis
Regional/International Relations, Energy

OVERVIEW

Politis also reports on a diplomatically unprecedented attack by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu against his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias. During an interview with CNN Turk, Cavusoglu, when asked about Turkey’s relations with Greece, said that the Greek FM has been complaining in every meeting they hold and “cries like a small child at least five times a day because we mess up his plans in the eastern Mediterranean.” He said this was an attitude that stems from a complex of inferiority and fear.

Phileleftheros reports that Cavusoglu said Dendias is acting like a small child who is not satisfied unless he cries five times a day and complains about Turkey.

Cavusoglu also referred to the issue of drilling and said Turkey would not allow for its rights to be violated. He also said Cyprus is going to start drilling in November while Turkey carried out surveys in the blocks for which the ‘TRNC’ granted it licenses. He also said that three of their drilling rigs are in the Black Sea but will arrive for new drilling in the eastern Mediterranean. Cavusoglu said Turkey was not drilling just to prove its might.


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