TCC Press Review 10 Apr 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

Tractors head to the fields, the harvest begins, farmers hopeful: “Yield very good”

Farmers who head off to the fields for hay and fodder are happy with this year’s yield. They believe it will be a good harvest. The Farmers’ Association has started talks with the Agriculture Ministry on barley prices. Everyone is wondering what the price of barley, which was sold at 95 Kuruş per kilo last year, will be.

  • Interior Minister Baybars: “Our population (figures) will be updated now. We will know who is where – Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars spoke to Bayrak on the new e-Population project.

Kıbrıs Postası

Explain, explicate, show!

Anastasiades lashed out at Akıncı and claimed Akıncı wants to enslave Cyprus to Turkey with his demands.

  • Party leaders battled it out on a live programme – Genç TV hosted six party leaders on Tuesday evening.
  • Time to face the reality – FM Kudret Özersay said Anastasiades wants a Greek Cypriot state during his address to the parliamentary assembly on Tuesday.

Kıbrıs

People drowning in debt

A total of 229,988 cases filed due to unpaid debts. According to annual reports of the courts, the breakdown of cases in the past 13 years is as follows: 153,305 on unpaid debts; 58,103 on sequestration orders; 7,013 on dud cheques; 3,394 on eviction orders and 8,096 on demands of compensation for financial loss.

  • Municipalities increase the price of water – Mayors in five cities note a price hike is unavoidable on per ton price of water. Nicosia Turkish Municipality, however, will not increase the price of water.
  • Three trade unions to protest price hikes – TC Public Servants’ Union (KTAMS), TC Civil Servants’ Union (KAMU-SEN) and TC Public Workers’ union (KAMU-İŞ) to protest the price hikes with a one-day strike on Friday.

Havadis

No one cared about Ombudsperson’s report

Despite the Ombudsperson’s report dated 29 January 2019, the yachts docked at Kyrenia Old Harbour do not pay any anchorage fees. Ombudsperson Emine Dizdarlı in her report emphasized the Tourism and Environment Ministry does not enforce the regulation on the Kyrenia Old Harbour.

  • The murderers evaporated – Five suspects have been acquitted in the Gökhan Naim murder investigation. Three suspects remain detained.

Diyalog

Doing business in the TRNC is impossible

The first strike against efforts to semi-privatize the Telecommunications Department is taking place in Famagusta.  

  • No intention to reconcile – It was announced that Çavuşoğlu’s proposal to get the two leaders to meet through UN envoy Lute was rejected by Anastasiades.
  • UK sending F-35s to Cyprus

Afrika

The murder case which police are incapable of solving

The Gökhan Naim case is really plunging into darkness. Neither the lead suspect nor the stolen money have been found yet. The suspects arrested by police are being released one by one.

Main News

GC side not ready for a solution within UN parameters

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Governance & Power Sharing

OVERVIEW

President Mustafa Akıncı said on Tuesday that the Greek Cypriot side once more demonstrated that it was not ready for a solution on the basis of political equality within the framework of UN parameters.

Akıncı, in a written statement, said the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted a clear stance ever since the UN Secretary-General’s envoy Jane Holl Lute had been assigned to draft the Terms of Reference document to be used as the basis to resume the talks, despite much criticism.

Akinci said that a solution in Cyprus could not be found by starting from scratch, but as the UNSG stated, what is needed on the island is a timetabled and results-oriented process which is not open-ended and which respects past convergences. Any new process must also accept the 11 February 2014 Joint Declaration and the 30 June 2017 Guterres Framework, he said.

Akıncı also highlighted that the international community should no longer disregard the injustice faced by Turkish Cypriots and the determined and sincere stance adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side for peace in Cyprus. It must be known that even though the status quo harms the Turkish Cypriots in the short term, it will also result in negative developments for the Greek Cypriot community in the long term, Akıncı added.

He added that the Turkish Cypriot side has been ready from day one to discuss the 30 June 2017 Guterres Framework in its original form without watering it down or distorting it.

Akıncı also emphasized the importance of political equality and effective participation in decision-making processes for the Turkish Cypriot side and reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side’s goal has always been to build a future that will enable both communities to live in equality, freedom, security and peace.

Akıncı, however, pointed out that the Greek Cypriot leadership failed to display a similar clarity towards a comprehensive settlement.

“The Greek Cypriot side first came up with the concept of a loose federation and then switched to a decentralized federation; they announced readiness to discuss the 30 June Guterres framework but instead attempted to invent another framework document dated 4 July and most recently, they raised an already rejected proposal of a rotating prime ministry and presented it as if it is a new idea,” he said.

This is not only an old proposal, Akıncı said, but was also not in compliance with the 2:1 rotation ratio stated in the Guterres Framework.

Furthermore, the Greek Cypriot side continued their insistence on implementing decisions on the basis of simple majority, he added.

Akıncı said that it was inhumane and unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side, which adopted a consistent and constructive stance, both in efforts to reach a settlement and drafting terms of reference, to continue to be punished.

He said it is likely that the report which the UN Secretary-General will present to the UN Security Council, as in previous times, will fall short of reflecting accurately the positions and stance of the two sides.

The positions of the two sides regarding the drafting of the terms of reference must be included in the report in a clear and impartial manner, Akıncı concluded.

KEY ACTOR
Akıncı
>>
GC side not ready for a solution on the basis of political equality within UN parameters.
>> Peace process must be results-oriented, with timetable, respecting past convergences. 11 February 2014 Joint Declaration & 30 June 2017 Guterres Framework must also be accepted.
>> Injustice faced by TCs can no longer be ignored by international community.
>> Status quo harms TCs in short-term, but also GCs in long-term.
>> TCs ready from start to discuss original Guterres Framework (30 June 2017).
>> No consistency/clarity in GC positions, e.g. on federation, Guterres framework, governance & power sharing.
>> Rotating prime minister proposal is not a new idea, already been rejected.  Also, goes against Guterres Framework on governance (2:1 ratio for rotating presidency).
>> GCs insisting on implementing decisions based on simple majority.
>> UNSG reports to UNSC must be impartial in reflecting positions of two sides towards a solution and towards efforts to draft ToR document.


Time to face reality: ‘What’s being proposed is a Greek Cypriot state’

Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said the Greek Cypriot leader’s proposals aim at establishing a Greek Cypriot state.

Addressing parliament on Tuesday, Özersay reminded he had said several months back that the UN Secretary-General’s envoy Jane Holl Lute would not be able to pull a rabbit from a hat when it came to efforts to launch new talks.

He said the Greek Cypriot side had rehashed old ideas as if they were new to the UN adviser, who is seeking to find a common vision between the two sides.

Özersay said the latest developments demonstrated that the Greek Cypriot leadership was not taking the talks seriously anymore.

He said the proposal for a rotating prime ministry contradicted the concept of political equality because the elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot constituent state will under no circumstance be able to become the head of state.

In all cases the head of state will be a Greek Cypriot, Özersay pointed out, adding that what Anastasiades was actually proposing was a Greek Cypriot state.

Özersay noted it is possible for one to raise the 1960 Republic as an example during which the head of state is always a Greek Cypriot and his/her deputy a Turkish Cypriot, but one can simply look at what had happened to the 1960 Republic, adding that “as a result, the Turkish Cypriot side insists on a rotating presidency.”

Özersay reminded that the UN Secretary-General had said in his latest report three things were needed in order to reach a solution in Cyprus – establishing a common vision between the two sides; agreement on the methodology of the talks within the framework of the common vision and the resumption of the talks.

Özersay said that it had not even been possible to achieve the first step.

“We now have to face the reality that there is no common vision or common basis between the two sides for the future of the island. In my opinion, the point we have reached is proof that any model based on sharing governance and wealth has been exhausted,” he added.

He called on Lute to courageously state her findings in a report. Should the UN adviser refrain from writing what she needs to write in her report, it will not change the facts that; there is no common basis between the two sides; the Greek Cypriot side backtracked on past convergences; the GCs do not accept political equality and are trying to water it down; and they do not accept a rotating presidency, said Özersay.

He added that there was a real opportunity for the UN to question what can be realistically achieved on the island.

“There is an opportunity for the two communities to have a future of peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is vital for UN officials to be more realistic in the reports they write from now on in order to head in the right direction. The two sides can maintain dialogue at an unofficial capacity and without the UN being present,” he said.

Özersay concluded by stating it is time for everyone to think about what can be done for Cyprus realistically.

KEY ACTOR
Özersay
>>
GC side’s proposals aim at establishing a GC state.
>> Rotating prime ministry is an old proposal that contradicts political equality since TC can never become head of state.
>> 1960 Republic is proof why the TCs insist on rotating presidency.
>> None of the three steps envisioned in UNSG report realized: common vision, agreement on methodology, resumption of talks.
>> Proof that any model based on sharing governance & wealth has been
>> No common basis between the 2 sides. GCs backtracked on past convergences. They do not accept political equality or rotating presidency.
>> UN must ask itself what can realistically be achieved on the island & prepare more realistic reports.
>> Two communities can have future of peace, security & stability in East Med region. They can maintain dialogue in unofficial capacity without UN being present.


Baybars announces launch of e-Population system in North

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Diyalog
Migration & Citizenship

OVERVIEW

TC Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars announced on Tuesday that the first leg of the e-Population Project will be starting in the coming days.

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot public broadcaster Bayrak, Baybars said that the e-population project had two phases, the first to register the population and the second registering addresses.

She said that the e-population system, once operational, will allow state and public offices to access all information on the country’s population online.

Baybars said that once the system is operational, all state and public institutions will have accurate and up to date information on the country’s population.

“There are state departments and public offices such as the Tax, Land Registry and Environment Departments as well as the Agriculture Ministry which are looking forward to this new system,” she said.

Baybars said that the info online will not only include basic identification information of individuals such as birth dates but their entire record will be available.

“Individuals will no longer be required to present paper documents such as photocopies of their IDs or birth certificates. Processes will, therefore, be speeded up,” she added.

Pointing out that the second system will register addresses, Baybars said that this system will become operational once the e-population system is up and running.

Baybars underlined that the address system will make it easier for the state to track individuals such as tax evaders or those evading civic duties and responsibilities.

She added that once the system is fully operational, it will be much easier to have accurate figures regarding the country’s population.


Church bell thieves released on bail

Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security

OVERVIEW

Suspects arrested in connection with the theft of a bell from the St. Panteleimon Church in Çamlıbel (Myrtou), İsa Avunç, Serdal Unal and Ramadan Sadetoğlu were released on bail on Tuesday.

Testifying in court, the police officer heading the investigation Salih Okutan said the church bell was stolen sometime between 11 October and 3 November 2018.

He added that the bell was found hidden in a sheep’s pen in Gayretköy (Avlona) owned by Unal. The police officer said that Unal had confessed that he and his accomplice Avunç had taken the bell from Sadetoğlu’s pen in Kozanköy (Larnakas tis Lapithou). He added that Sadetoğlu had claimed in his initial testimony to have found the bell near a river bed in Hisarköy (Kambyli) four months ago.

Judge Meltem Dündar ordered each suspect to pay 75,000TL in bail and present two other signatories in order to be released.


Both communities affected by the issue of missing persons

Havadis
Human Rights

OVERVIEW

National Unity Party (UBP) MP Ersan Saner said the issue of missing persons is a humanitarian matter for both the communities on the island which affects them both negatively during his address of the Parliamentary Council of Europe (PACE) on Tuesday. Saner reminded of the Turkish Cypriot elected parliamentarian Cengiz Ratip, who went missing on 14 February 1964 and underlined that the Turkish Cypriot state does what it needs to do on missing persons, however the Greek Cypriot side needs to be encouraged further. Saner spoke after Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, presented her report.

The Turkish Cypriot parliament is represented by Republic Turkish Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan and Saner at PACE. 


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