Front Page Headlines
Disgusting
Accusations directed at TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı by Turkey just keep continuing. The latest came from the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahçeli. “He betrayed the post he holds with his disgusting and ugly messages,” Bahçeli said. Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu in response said Akıncı was the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community which have embraced the principles of Atatürk for long years. He accused Bahçeli of addressing Akıncı in a fascist language
- “Political equality the most fundamental issue” – Tufan Erhürman issues statement ahead of leaders’ meeting on November 25.
Record rise in marijuana use
The drug addiction and the number of court cases have reached alarming levels. Nearly 200 young persons have been convicted of drug-related crimes in the past six months. It is observed marijuana is the most commonly used drug. Narcotics police seized 5,693gr of marijuana in the past six months.
- Bahçeli accused Akıncı of being a traitor
- Akıncı: Bahçeli used a fascist language that contradicts Atatürk’s principles.
Municipalities will be unable to pay salaries
The additional one-year extension given to the municipalities to pay their overdue social security premiums and to make their provident fund payments by the end of January 2020. The state will start deducting this money from its contributions to the municipalities if the local administrations fail to make these payments on time. As a result, 17 municipalities will be unable to pay salaries to their employees as of January next year.
- Bahçeli joins the chorus of those criticizing Akıncı – Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli claimed Mustafa Akıncı no longer represents the Turkish Cypriot people. Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu in response said Akıncı is the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community which embraced Atatürk’s principles.
S.O.S for Famagusta
The Famagusta Civil Society Platform (MASTOP), which was recently formed by CSOs in the area, held its first event. MASTOP drew attention to the increasing environmental problems in the north and Famagusta.
- Bahçeli reignites the issue – Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli claimed Mustafa Akıncı does not represent the Turkish Cypriot people. Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu responded swiftly and said Bahçeli represents an archaic and fascist mentality.
He can’t win the support of the people
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar called on President Akıncı not to attend the tripartite meeting claiming he wouldn’t be supported by the people. “We as the National Unity Party (UBP) do not approve of this. More important he won’t have the support of the people at this meeting.
- ‘European Scenario’ – The tripartite meeting has been arranged to coincide with the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Both visiting and shopping – 6000 vehicles crossed over to the North through Metehan (Agios Dhometios) in a single day.
- Shopkeepers were happy – Hundreds of tourists who crossed through Lokmacı (Ledra) crossing point brought life to the Arasta shopping area.
The wolf wakes up from its slumber
Devlet Bahçeli joined the chorus of insults against Mustafa Akıncı. Bahçeli who was seriously ill for a long time said: “Akıncı the sleeping communist has woken up. He has betrayed us.”
- Berlin meeting on the day the Berlin wall came down – The tripartite meeting will take place on the anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
- Sinirlioğlu: Greek Cypriots carried out a genocide in 1963 –Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) accused Greek Cypriots of genocide.
Main News
Burcu lambasts Bahçeli for fascist comments on Akıncı
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Governance & Power sharing
OVERVIEW
“Devlet Bahçeli represents an archaic mentality that contradicts the very principles laid out by Atatürk,” Akıncı’s Spokesman Barış Burcu said on Saturday.
Burcu’s statement came in response to a statement by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) party leader Devlet Bahçeli who accused Akıncı of betraying Turkish Cypriots.
“He has betrayed the Turkish Cypriots and the martyrs with his disgusting and ugly messages comparing the Cyprus operation with Operation Peace Spring. The sleeping communist chose to wake, acting simultaneously with the tyrants,” Bahçeli said during an opening ceremony.
Lambasting Bahçeli for targeted Akıncı, Burcu said that the MDP leader had addressed Akıncı with a fascist tone.
“To the contrary, Akıncı is a leader who emerged from the bosom of the Turkish Cypriot people, who hold the legitimate rights, the interests and the dignity of the people above everything else. He represents the modern Turkish Cypriot people in the best way,” Burcu noted.
Burcu said Bahçeli’s statement, which reveals his fascist ideals, not only contradicted with the principles of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for a modern Turkey but was also gravely concerning for the Turkish Republic which was preparing to celebrate its 96th anniversary.
“Turkish Cypriots are a community which have internalized and embraced the principles of Atatürk for many years, Burcu said.
KEY ACTOR
Akıncı
>> Devlet Bahçeli represents an archaic mentality that contradicts the very principles laid out by Atatürk.
>> Bahçeli targeted Akıncı with a fascist tone!
>> Akıncı was a leader who emerged from the bosom of the Turkish Cypriot people, who held above all the legitimate rights and interests and dignity of the people and represented the modern Turkish Cypriot people in the best way.
>> Bahçeli’s statement, which reveals his fascist ideals, not only contradicts the principles laid out by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for a modern Turkey but is also gravely concerning for Turkey on its 96th anniversary.
>> Turkish Cypriot people have been a community that have internalized the principles of Atatürk for many years.
UBP opposes, CTP welcomes tripartite meeting
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar expressed National Unity Party’s (UBP) opposition to the tripartite meeting scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany on November 25.
In a written statement on Saturday, Tatar said that his party opposed the idea of the two leaders discussing the Terms of Reference (ToR).
He reminded that the UBP assembly had issued a statement on October 14 expressing the view that Akıncı should not engage in negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side because he no longer represented the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community.
“We believe that Akıncı is making moves with the forthcoming elections in mind but whatever he does, the people do not trust him anymore,” Tatar claimed.
He also said that opposition to Akıncı by the political parties which held the majority of seats in the Turkish Cypriot parliament and Ankara was clear.
“Under these circumstances, it would be wrong for Akıncı to sit at the table with the Greek Cypriot leader to discuss vital issues regarding sovereignty, security, territory, citizenship, guarantees and governance and power-sharing”, he said.
Tatar noted that there has been no change in the positions of the Greek Cypriot side since the Conference on Cyprus held in Crans Montana 28 months ago.
“To the contrary, the Greek Cypriot side has toughened its stance on issues such as effective participation in the decision-making processes, territory, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and guarantees,” he said.
Tatar added that it was also wrong to accept to return to the negotiating table by accepting the Guterres Framework.
“We will be holding presidential elections four months after November. The right course of action would be to wait until the elections to how the political will of the Turkish Cypriot people will be reflected,” he said.
“We are urging Mr Akıncı to act according to democratic practices and to exercise common sense,” he concluded.
The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman on Saturday welcomed the announcement of the leaders meeting on November 25 in Berlin, stating that the tripartite meeting was an important development for the Cyprus Problem.
Erhürman who posted on a statement on social media said that the notion of political equality which included rotating presidency and effective participation in decision-making processes and which was part of past convergences and UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions were fundamentally important.
“An important step that will take us forward towards a comprehensive settlement will be achieved if this issue is clarified and a results-oriented and time-framed negotiations process is accepted,” he said.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> UBP opposed to Akıncı discussing ToR with Anastasiades.
>> UBP opposed to Akıncı engaging in negotiations.
>> Akıncı no longer represents the political will of TC community.
>> Wrong for Akıncı to resume talks by accepting Guterres Framework.
>> Right course of action would be for Akıncı to wait until elections are held.
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Political equality is fundamentally important.
>> Important step towards comprehensive settlement will be taken if the results-oriented and time-framed negotiation process is accepted.
Hundreds of GCs cross to the north ahead of the long weekend
Diyalog
CBM, Economy
OVERVIEW
A large number of Greek Cypriots crossed over to the north following the announcement of the leaders’ meeting in Berlin on November 25, Diyalog reported on Sunday.
The paper said that it had obtained information from officials that more than 6000 vehicles had crossed over to the North until late evening on Saturday.
The daily reported that the third lane at the checkpoint remained open throughout the day as personnel tried to cope with the influx.
Greek Cypriots speaking to Diyalog said that Monday was a religious holiday in the South which was why everyone was trying to make the most of the long weekend.
Asked why they preferred to cross to the north, most replied: “both for business and pleasure.”
Sales at petrol stations were also high, the daily added.