Front Page Headlines
‘Fear of war again’
Yenidüzen spoke with residents of Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) after the nearby airport was given to the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). The issue has caused widespread concern across the country, particularly among residents of Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) and the surrounding areas. While the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) municipality learned of the news from the press, the Aerial Sports Federation which conducts its activities at the airport said they were not informed. Federation officials said they will be requesting a meeting on Monday.
A single armed UAV is equal to one commando brigade
Abdullah Ağar, counter-terrorism and security strategies expert, said it makes a major difference when a UAV that takes off from Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) rather than Turkey. He added UAVs based in Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) are very important for both reconnaissance purposes and early response in conflict.
- “Urgent need” is the reason for permitting UAVs – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said, “We needed to open Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Airport to the use of UAVs for the security of Turkey and the TRNC.”
- Steps that will increase tension will be reciprocated accordingly – the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) evaluated the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) decision.
Accidents likely to happen knowingly
Drivers continue to use the North Nicosia peripheral highway, even though it is not open to traffic yet. Fatal traffic accidents will likely happen on the road. Civil engineers and road safety experts highlight the risks associated with using the road, which has not been completed yet.
Only its sign remains
Çağlayan Tavern, which was the heart of Nicosia’s nightlife in the 1950s and which gave the neighbourhood its name, is now left in a heart-breaking condition. The building now is home for the homeless.
- Differences in prices make smuggling meat attractive – 60 kg of beef found in a car at Metehan (Agios Domethios) crossing on Saturday.
Balance established
Foreign Minister Özersay says he does not expect UAVs to be stationed at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Airport to lead to heated conflict. Özersay said he was not at liberty to say how many UAVs will be stationed at the airport. Speaking to Diyalog, he said, “The aim is to establish security not engage in conflict. There would be a great possibility of tension if the UAVs and UCAVs were not stationed. We have now balanced the playing field.” He added that President Mustafa Akıncı had not made any comments on the issue.
- An urgent need rose – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said, “We needed to open Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Airport to the use of UAVs for the security of Turkey and the TRNC.”
UAVs, UCAVs…here we go!
No one has reacted or objected to the stationing of UAVs and UCAVs at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Airport. Akıncı who was informed by Tatar also did not say anything. Tatar said the approval had been given by the Council of Ministers due to an urgent need that rose in line with Turkey’s and the TRNC’s security matters in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Main News
UAVs at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport dominates agenda
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“Opening of the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport for both armed and unarmed Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) is necessary and a security need,” Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Saturday.
Speaking to Turkish public broadcaster TRT, Tatar said a new map had come about following Turkey’s agreement with Libya causing discomfort in the region and which resulted in new security requirements.
“Turkey asked for Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport to be allocated for the use of UAVs and the Council of Ministers evaluated the decision, granting permission in view of both Turkey’s and the TRNC’s security in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Tatar said.
“The allocation was necessary because there is an urgent need for it,” Tatar stressed.
In response to a question regarding the existing lease agreement on the airport, Tatar said the Article 11 of the said lease agreement is a clause on “force majeure” and that the compelling reason for security and military purposes.
Tatar said the decision to revoke the lease agreement was taken in consultation with the Attorney General’s office and the holder of the lease agreement did not object to it either.
Tatar recalled that the Greek Cypriot side had recently signed a military cooperation agreement with Israel on the use of UAVs.
Speaking to Diyalog newspaper on Saturday, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay ruled out the possibility of a heated conflict breaking out over the UAVs or UCAVs.
He argued that the situation would be far more dangerous if the drones were not stationed.
“We balanced the playing field,” he said, adding that the move, contrary to arguments, will bring stability.
Özersay said that the government had shown the necessary political will in approving such a decision which arose as a result of changing conditions both in the region and the world.
He added that the Greek Cypriot side itself had signed a deal to purchase four to eight UAVs from Israel.
Özersay pointed out that the UAVs were crucial in providing security to Turkey’s offshore activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He said that Akıncı had been informed of the move via telephone and that he would further briefed on the technical details in the coming days.
Özersay reminded that the airport is currently under lease to a private company but that there is a clause in the contract stating that the airport could be handed over to the use of the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces (GKK) or the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus (KTBK) if the need arises.
Asked how many UAVs will be stationed at the airport, Özersay said he was not at liberty to say.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Saturday expressed concern over the move arguing that “steps which will serve to increase tensions will be met with similar counter-steps,”
In a written statement, the CTP argued that “every step taken in this regard will be a threat to peace and will not be sustainable.”
The party also highlighted the urgency of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus to bring peace and stability both on the island and in the region.
In the meantime, Yenidüzen spoke with residents of Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) about the decision.
The majority of villagers had expressed serious concern over the move, sharing the view that the UAVs have made the area a potential target.
Some argued that the development was a long time coming.
One resident argued that this was the destiny of Cyprus, that the island will always be used by foreign powers.
Another said that such tensions will continue if a lasting peace is not reached on the island.
The Mayor of Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Hasan Öztaş who spoke to Yenidüzen, does not share the concerns of his fellow villagers.
Öztaş said that his municipality will provide any logistical support that it can.
Öztaş said that he too had learned of the government’s decision through the press, that military officials had held inspections at the airport in the past but that they had not been consulted on the matter.
He argued that the move was in counter-move to the Greek Cypriot side which had allowed for Israel UAVs to be stationed in the south.
“A single armed UAV is equal to one commando brigade,” Abdullah Ağar, counter-terrorism and security strategies expert, said in his evaluation of the development.
Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası, Ağar said it made a major difference when a UAV took off from Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) rather than Turkey due to the distances involved.
He added Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) is strategically located saving time for Turkey and increasing its effectiveness in the region.
He added UAVs based in Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) are very important for both reconnaissance purposes and at times of conflict.
Ağar noted that Turkey will carry out its threat assessments in the region and said it can even decide to position S-400 missiles on the island, should it see any need.
In an editorial published in the Asil Nadir owned Kıbrıs newspaper on Sunday, the writer criticized the Turkish Cypriot authorities’ way of handling military decisions – particularly on the allocation of the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport to the Turkish Security Forces to be used as a base for UAVs.
“There are no problems in using the Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) airport, which is in Asil Nadir’s lease at the moment but the problem is the way the authorities handled the developments,” the writer said.
The writer added the Turkish Cypriot authorities’ repeated statements exposed military decisions, which had been in the making for quite some time and put military strategies at risk.
“It is important to speak when appropriate,” the writer said and noted that the Turkish Cypriot authorities have failed in managing the implementation of such an important decision.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Stationing UAVs at Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) Airport is necessary & a security need.
>> Deal signed with Libya is causing discomfort in the region which led to the emergence of new security requirements.
Özersay (HP)
>> Possibility of heated conflict breaking out over UAVs or UACVs unlikely.
>> The situation would be far more dangerous if the drones are not stationed.
>> TC side has balanced the playing field. The move will bring stability.
>> Decision taken as a result of changing conditions both in the region & world.
>> UAVs are crucial in providing security to Turkey’s offshore activities in the East Med.
CTP
>> Developments worrying. Such steps which will increase tensions will be met with similar counter-steps, threatening peace & will not be sustainable.
>> Developments highlight urgency of a comprehensive solution of Cyprob.
Differences in prices make smuggling meat attractive
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Customs officials seized 60kg of beef stashed in a car at Metehan (Agios Domethios) crossing on Saturday. According to the information given by the police, a 50-year-old Turkish Cypriot was caught trying the meat into the north without declaring it to customs. Police seized the meat and charged the man with violation of customs laws in force.