Front Page Headlines
‘Our strength to hold on is weakening’
Exclusive interview to Yenidüzen from the head of the Doctors’ Association Özlem Gürkut. Gürkut said, “We have no problems regarding Covid-19 but we have problems concerning treatment and health care services for patients who don’t have Covid-19. We have succeeded in containing the spread of the virus with the measures taken but we have failed to take the same measures to ensure that our healthcare system does not fail.”
- Lorem Ipsum
- 17 new cases in the south, 1 death. No new cases in the north and 12 discharged
- The bicommunal health committee is in action. Co-chair Cenk Soydan spoke to Yenidüzen: “We are expecting 40 ventilators and 5000 PCR test kits”
Ceased print/Online only
The TRNC will not be left without any water
Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced the repair work on the freshwater supply pipeline will be completed in July. Production of 500-meter-long high-density polyethene pipes (HDPE 100 type), which will replace the damaged ones, has started at Taşucu Port in southern Mersin province. The ministry noted the repair work will commence in May, following the procurement of buoys and other required equipment. The work will be concluded by the end of June without causing and water shortages on the island.
- It is out of the question to pay everyone an equal salary – Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said it is out of the question to pay equal salaries or ₺2000 (€273) to everyone.
- Strict controls in Lefke (Lefka) – Both police and municipal wardens are carrying out strict controls at the entry point to the town. In addition to screening the temperatures of arriving passengers, the municipal wardens also disinfecting vehicles and checking whether drivers or passengers are wearing gloves and face masks. There are more intense controls and disinfection work going on at the Karadağ area in the town where a positive case was spotted.
- Salary support must be given, obligatory payments must be postponed – KTSO (Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry) said the cabinet’s economic measures do not meet with the needs of the market. The deferral period must at least be six months and every business that lost more than 25 per cent of its turnover must be included in the salary support scheme.
- No new cases in the north – 12 patients have been discharged from the hospital following their recovery.
- One more person passed away in the south due to coronavirus.
Trade unions slam the cabinet
KAMU-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Public Workers’ Union), KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants’ Union) and KAMU-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Public-Sector Employees’ Union) said the cabinet is failing to manage the Covid-19 crisis. They said the cabinet’s decisions only serve the wealthy and do not protect ordinary wage-earners. KTAMS General Secretary Güven Bengihan said the cabinet decided to convert the Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu hospital to a pandemic hospital leaving the other patients out in the open without access to medical facilities. The cabinet cut salaries of the public servants but did not touch on the wealthy business owners. KAMU-SEN chairman Metin Atan said the cabinet is a major disappointment. KAMU-İŞ president Ahmet Serdaroğlu said the cabinet failed to adopt decisions that would be in the best interest of the community because the cabinet members were more concerned about the votes they will receive in the next elections.
- Tatar refuted Özersay – Those in power have confused the people a lot with their contradictory statements. While the Deputy Prime Minister said “equal salary option” could be tabled the Prime Minister denied that.
- Akıncı: There are lessons to be learned from the pandemic. President Mustafa Akıncı spoke to Greek Cypriot daily Kathimerini.
- The cabinet is the centre of contradictions – The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) argued the community has lost its confidence in the cabinet due to its contradicting statements and decisions.
- The latest situation: North 99 cases three deaths; South 633 cases 11 deaths; Turkey 56,956 cases 1198 deaths.
They are committing a crime
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said that there were no changes regarding (public-sector) salaries for April and May. He reacted to reports about a haircut from savings, claiming that even talking about this was committing a crime. Tatar also denied reports that everyone will be getting equal salaries.
- 57 people have been discharged – No new cases of coronavirus out of 164 tests carried out in North Cyprus.
- Another death – Cases in South Cyprus rise to 633 with 17 new cases.
- Loss of life 1,980 – 4789 new cases in Turkey bringing the total to 56,956.
- Anxious wait –The pipeline carrying fresh water from Anamur to the TRNC is expected to be repaired by June.
This is another type of virus
And it is more dangerous than the coronavirus. National Unity Party (UBP) İskele (Trikomo) MP Yasemin Öztürk announced she had launched initiatives to acquire the medicines that would be sent from the south, from Turkey. Öztürk said she will not accept charity and added that she will pay for the medicine out of her pocket. In the meantime, Yasemin Öztürk’s husband was recently detained for smuggling huge amounts of money to the south without permission from the authorities and was arrested.
- What kind of animosity is this? – Mustafa Akıncı evaluated the reactions given by Yasemin Öztürk and those alike and said: “It is not comprehendible to see such animosity in their hearts!”
- 17 new cases in the south and one death – No new cases found in the north.
- Salary syndrome: “It is out of the question for everyone to be paid ₺2000 (€273)”
Main News
No new cases for a second day running, 12 more discharged
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
No new cases of coronavirus were reported in the north for a second day running, Turkish Cypriot Health Minister Ali Pilli told Bayrak on Sunday.
A total of 164 tests were administered on Sunday, bringing the total number of tests conducted in the north 4212.
So far 99 cases have been confirmed in the north.
Pilli also announced that 12 more patients were discharged from hospital bringing the total number of people who recovered to 57.
He added there were currently 39 patients undergoing treatment at the hospital with one in the ICU.
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) urged the cabinet on Sunday to increase the number of tests administered.
“Otherwise, neither the pandemic can be taken under control nor can the north start the normalizing process,” a statement by the party read.
The CTP also warned that any further delays may result in irrevocable damage will be caused to the economy and the social life in the north.
It also criticized what it said was a clash of authority at the top.
The CTP said it was s not possible to comprehend differing viewpoints from the health ministry and the covid-19 coordination board on the testing policies to be implemented.
It reiterated its position on the need to establish a single crisis management desk in the north.
“The best and the most effective way to save lives in the coronavirus pandemic is to break the contact chain and it can only be done through limiting human movement, early diagnosis of positive cases and by minimizing the contact-based infections,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, President Mustafa Akıncı on Sunday hit back at criticisms for requesting medical supplies and medicines from the south, including two thousand units of Chloroquine used for the treatment of Covid-19.
Akıncı, in a statement posted on social media, said that the build-up of all this hatred and animosity by some was unbelievable.
He was referring to remarks made earlier on Saturday, National Unity Party Famagusta MP Yasemin Özturk who slammed him for requesting the supplies as well as Chloroquine.
Öztürk’s post sparked a heated debate on social media
Many mocked Öztürk for her remarks, reminding that her husband who owns a foreign exchange office was arrested and was on trial for smuggling cash to the south.
Öztürk, describing the move as charity said, “We don’t need handouts from the Greek Cypriots. I will acquire these medicines from Turkey and cover the expenses myself if need be.”
Akıncı reminded that the coronavirus pandemic was a global issue and the common enemy of humankind.
He said that the request had been made by the Turkish Cypriot members of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health.
“I find myself speechless at the reactions given by some to the announcement that South Cyprus will be sending us 2000 units of Chloroquine which is produced in the south,” he said.
Akıncı added that the reactions were an insult to the expert doctors and health care professions who were on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19.
“It’s not like I decided to request the medicine out of the blue,” he said, adding that those who criticized him knew very little about the realities.
Akıncı reminded that there were dozens of people who sought medical treatment in the south during normal times who were currently experiencing serious problems because of the closure of the crossing points.
He pointed out that coronavirus did not discriminate based on ethnicity, race or religion and that everyone needed to join in the fight.
“There should be no discrimination between Turkish-Greek, Christian or Muslım during this struggle,” he added.
The Rebirth Party (YDP) expressed support to Öztürk, accusing Akıncı of trying to steal the show from the government.
YDP General Secretary Turan Büyükyılmaz said that asking for medicines which cost less than €5000 was degrading and insulting.
He reminded that the south had rejected all offers of help from the north and Turkey during the big Troodos fire.
Büyükyılmaz also criticized Akıncı for defending his actions by arguing that the medicine had been requested by the doctors.
In the meantime, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar told the TAK news agency on Sunday that Turkey continued to send much needed medical supplies to the north.
“No one should be worried. No one should make misplaced statements or comments. We are convinced that Turkey will do its utmost to meet all our other needs as well,” he said.
Tatar also responded to criticisms against the government’s handling of the crisis.
“There is confusion at the top. The government is making all the necessary decisions. It is I and the cabinet that makes the decisions, my office and my ministers and bureaucrats which implement them. There might be differences in opinion among my colleagues from time to time but that is only natural,” he said.
He claimed that the opposition was exaggerating the situation and that it should carry out its duties more responsibly.
Out of the question to pay equal salaries, says Tatar
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
Tatar on Sunday said it was out of the question for everyone to receive equal salaries.
Tatar was clarifying an earlier statement made by Turkish Cypriot Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay who said that everyone could receive a single salary of ₺2000 (€273) if the state failed to collect sufficient revenues.
In his interview with the TAK news agency, Tatar said that the government’s priority remained the public’s health and not the economy.
“We shall first ensure that the public is safe before we move forward and open up the various sectors,” he said.
Tatar reminded that the cabinet will continue to act upon the advice of health experts.
He reminded that there was growing demand by restaurant owners to be allowed to start food delivery services on the condition they meet certain health demands.
“In parallel to that, the construction sector is also asking to be allowed to resume activities. We have met with representatives but what is important is health. We will open sectors when it is possible,” Tatar added.
He also said that reopening schools was the last item on the agenda as it would be impossible to maintain social distancing in classrooms.
“Families should not be worried. We will make up for what the children have lost in terms of schooling. Again, how and when will all depend on the course of the pandemic,” he said.
Regarding the cost of the Covid-19 pandemic for the Turkish Cypriot economy, Tatar admitted that the state’s revenues had dropped considerably.
He said that the exact picture had yet to emerge but added that ₺30m in funds had been generated as a result of austerity cuts from various budget expenses.
“We’ve spent ₺1.7m (€229,000) on quarantine expenses as well as medical supplies such as masks, gowns and gloves. We’ve also authorized ₺1.1m (€148,500) for the purchase of essential medical supplies,” he said.
Tatar also announced that a tender for the purchase of 50 new ventilators worth ₺6.4m had been completed.
“We’re expecting the ventilators to be delivered by next week,” he noted.
Asked how long it will take for the economy to recover, Tatar said that the process will take time as this was a crisis on the global scale.
“I believe Turkey will overcome this crisis soon. The most important gate for us is Turkey. Yes, the south is also important but most of our commercial ties are with Turkey,” he said.
Tatar argued that the Turkish Cypriot community needed to transform the current crisis into an opportunity.
“We need to focus on local production and local consumption. We need to create employment with business investments and state incentives,” he said.
The Turkish Cypriot of Industry (KTSO) on Sunday said the government needed to provide financial support to all businesses which lost more than 25 per cent of its turnover as a result of the crisis.
In a written statement, the chamber said that all businesses should be offered the change to postpone their financial obligations and payments to the state for six months
KTSO which shared its proposals on the economy with the public argued that the government’s measures have failed to meet the needs of the private sector.
It said that the impact of the economic crisis was deepening by the day and that the economic recession in the north for 2020 will reach double-digits.
“The cabinet’s economic measures not only fail in responding to the needs of the market but also fall short of helping anyone,” KTSO noted.
It warned the cabinet not to widen the salary gap between the public and private sectors.
It proposed that the cabinet, without discriminating between open or closed businesses should provide financial support to all that have lost more than 25 per cent of their turnover and defer mandatory payments to the state by six months.
Additionally, the cabinet must provide businesses with easy access to loans with low interests.
The chamber also suggested the cabinet amends the tax laws to charge higher taxes from higher income groups and less from the lower-income groups.
It also recommended the government should take decisions to promote local production and manufacturing instead of being dependent on imports.
The government also came under harsh criticism from the media on Sunday.
“We will not grant you the pleasure of killing the media,” the north’s three press associations and unions said on Sunday.
In a joint statement, the Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Association, BASIN-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union) and DEV-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Revolutionary Workers’ Unions’ Federation) slammed the cabinet for leaving the media workers out of the relief package.
“Their shame will go down in the dark pages of history,” the organisations said.
They said the government had abandoned the media to which was working round the clock seven days a week to its fate.
The organisations pointed out that the media was carrying out a sacred duty to keep the public informed about the virus.
The statement also noted the media companies had lost vital advertising revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Other public-sector trade unions also continued to criticize the government’s handling of the economy.
In statements to Havadis, KAMU-SEN (Turkish Cypriot Public Workers’ Union), KTAMS (Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants’ Union) and KAMU-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Public-Sector Employees’ Union) said the cabinet is failing to manage the Covid-19 crisis. They said the cabinet’s decisions only serves the wealthy and does not protect ordinary wage-earners.
Freshwater supply pipe to be repaired by the end of summer
Havadis
Economy
OVERVIEW
Repair work for the underwater water pipeline carrying fresh water from Turkey to the north will be finished in the summer without causing water cuts to the island, Turkey’s Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said Sunday.
Production of 500-meter-long (1,640-feet) high-density polyethylene pipes, which will replace damaged ones, has started at Taşucu Port in southern Mersin province, several Turkish Cypriot dailies reported on Sunday.
The ministry noted that the supply of buoy and other special equipment needed for repair work is also underway.
In January, the Turkey-North Cyprus water pipeline suffered disruption due to severe weather conditions.
Officials located the damage to be around 250 meters deep undersea and eight kilometres near the Turkish coast.
Two pipes detached from bases and surfaced on sea level as a result of the damage.
The 80-kilometre pipeline project to send freshwater to the island under the Mediterranean was completed in 2015.
Under the project, some 75 million cubic meters of freshwater will be sent each year for a total of 50 years.
The ministry said a tender agreement is expected to be signed in May for the assembly work and repair work will begin in June, when the weather conditions will allow for pipe assembly.
“There are 13.7m cubic metres of freshwater at the Geçitköy (Panagra) dam. Therefore, no water shortages will be experienced in the north until the repairs are completed,” the statement concluded.