Front Page Headlines
What cannot be solved is made a one-way road
(Transport Minister) Yiannis Karousos: He cuts the Gordian knot of Nicosia’s traffic problem. The top part of Makarios Avenue is becoming a one way road in 10 months and two bus lanes are being created. One lane of the Limassol, Severis and Strovolos Avenues will be given to buses. This lane will be the precursor of the tram.
- Greece: Ankara brings back the issue of the ‘8’ (Military officers accused of participating in the 2016 coup attempt)
Spehar stands accused
Discontent by the Presidential Palace over the non-objective way events are presented in the report. President Anastasiades will have a meeting with Merkel.
- The Yavuz extends drilling in block 6 – Enigmatic stay in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
- Condemnation of the twin crime – We must learn from our mistakes.
- One in three sirens (marking the time the coup started) remained silent due to problems
- A Syrian man was released despite he is on a list of suspected terrorists – The Supreme Court deemed his detention for 16 months was unjustified. He had arrived from the occupied areas and sought asylum protection.
Bestowing honours… does not wash treason away
The defence minister, the National Guard chief, DISY head, Allileggyi, and ELAM bestowed honours fit for heroes with bay leaf wreaths to those who attacked the Presidential Palace during the July 15, 1974 coup. An act of insult to our people and history. Salt to the wounds of the families of those who were killed during the resistance against the coup and the invasion.
- We honour the true heroes
- The Cyprus problem solution is a priority – The president’s observations were submitted to Spehar.
- New illegal Turkish Navtex
- The sirens did not sound in Dherynia – AKEL sought explanations.
- Event condemning the twin crime
Virus safe place status backfires
Stark warning from big UK tour operators: test us and we will not be coming.
- Turkey is seeking to exclude Akinci in proposed talks says foreign minister
- (Photo caption) Remembering the coup: A young girl at the memorial church service in Nicosia for those killed in the 1974 coup
Spehar got an earful from the president during their meeting yesterday
References to lack of objectivity by herself and UNFICYP, crossing points, stance of the TC side and Varosha. The president will bring up Turkey’s issue to tomorrow’s European Council and during his meeting with Angela Merkel. Nikos Christodoulides: Ankara’s proposal that we dialogue with Ozersay and not Akinci lacks seriousness.
- They finally sent an epidemiology report – The ‘health ministry’ prepared it after two months. Eighty-two per cent of patients had mild symptoms and 56 per cent did not have a travel history.
- Cyprus does not forget the treasonous coup
- Syrian suspected of terrorism was released but will be deported
- Hagia Sophia: They started removing the signs saying it is a museum
Main News
Anastasiades: RoC expects more objectivity from UNFICYP
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
External Security, CBMs, EU Matters, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on Wednesday’s meeting between President Nicos Anastasiades and UNFICYP head Elizabeth Spehar ahead of discussion by the Security Council of the renewal of the peacekeeping mission’s mandate and that the government is not satisfied by the lack of objectivity in the UNFICYP statements as regards events on the island.
According to the dailies, Anastasiades said later in the day he pointed out to Spehar that the international community and especially the UN ought to be objective.
Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, who attended the meeting, said that the president submitted the government’s observations on the draft report in which he highlights the need for objective reporting of everything that happened in recent days.
The minister said the meeting was constructive, with discussion focusing on the Republic’s observations. He added that the president referred to the need for objective recording of what has been done lately, actions that also adversely affect the attempt to resume talks from where they lrft off in Crans Montana.
Christodoulides also said the president discussed with Spehar her stance as regards the decisions on the crossing points. He said there was an effort by some quarters to confer a political expediency on measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
He said there cannot be announcements that do not reflect the real situation in relation with the crossings, pointing out that statements by TC leader Mustafa Akinci, in essence, confirmed what the president was saying.
“There have been public statements showing who is responsible for this situation, but beyond that it is not just the crossings,” Christodoulides said, adding that UNFICYP also issued a statement about the Spitfire incident but said nothing about attempts by some to clearly violate UN resolutions on Varosha.
Christodoulides, commenting on reactions in the north on the measures the GC side has in place on crossings, said there is no political expediency behind the decisions, especially those relating to the crossing points. He said the decisions are based on expert recommendations pointing out the pandemic is not over yet.
Referring to the situation in other European states and neighbouring countries, he said the government has to be in constant vigilance to avoid a new wave of the pandemic as far as possible.
The dailies also reported that the minister was asked by members of the press on the revelation by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday that Greek and Turkish officials had met in Berlin over the weekend.
On whether the German presidency of the EU had sounded out Nicosia in light of the dialogue it seems to be sponsoring on Eastern Mediterranean matters, Christodoulides said no Cyprus-related issues had been raised during the Berlin meeting. “The Republic of Cyprus is an independent state, a member of the EU, and no one talks on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus.”
He also said Turkey was trying to present its delinquent behaviour in the region through the so-called protection of TC rights but its arguments lacked seriousness.
He said EU colleagues had informed him about the Turkish attempt, noting that it was interesting and an indication of the expediency Turkey was trying to serve that, through its proposal for the so-called need for dialogue between GCs and TCs, it says that it must be done with ‘foreign minister’ Kudret Ozersay and not TC leader Mustafa Akinci.
Christodoulides also said Anastasiades will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the European Council summit between July 17 and 18.
Phileleftheros, citing sources, reports that the Cypriot government finds that there has not been an objective representation of events in the UN Secretary-General’s reports on UNFICYP and his Good Offices on the Cyprus problem.
Nicosia expressed its discontent over the way the crossings issue was recorded while it found problematic the approach on the missing persons issues. Problems on both issues arise due to Turkish behaviour, the GC side believes.
Nicosia also finds problematic the way the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean is presented and mainly in the Cypriot EEZ due to Turkey’s actions.
It has also responded to Spehar’s obsession on dialogue between the two sides at military level, the daily reports. It added that for the Cypriot government a dialogue between the National Guard (NG) and the so-called TC army is out of the question. The interlocutors of the NG must be the leadership of the Turkish occupation army, the paper reported.
Politis reports that, judging by Christodoulides’ statements, Spehar was told off again by the president following the letter he had sent her last June complaining about UNFICYP’s stance on the closure of the crossing points during the pandemic.
Alithia too reports that Spehar got an earful during her meeting with Anastasiades.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> The international community & especially the UN ought to be objective.
Christodoulides (RoC FM)
>> The RoC would like UNFICYP to be objective in its reports as regards events on the island & reflect the real situation.
>> Turkey’s actions adversely affect the attempt to resume talks from where they left off in Crans Montana.
>> UNFICYP did injustice to the GCs through statements on some issues but kept mum on efforts concerning Varosha which are clearly against UN resolutions.
>> Though some are trying to confer political expediency behind the decisions on crossings, this is not the case. They are based on recommendations by experts to prevent deterioration of the situation observed in other countries.
>> Turkey was trying to present its delinquent behaviour in the region through the so-called protection of TC rights but its arguments lack seriousness.
>> Turkey’s reported preference that it would rather have Ozersay lead the dialogue between GCs & TCs and not Akinci is yet another example of the expediency Ankara is trying to serve.
>> The RoC is an independent state & an EU member & does not need anyone to speak on its behalf.
Greek Cypriot side marks 46th coup anniversary
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Governance & Power Sharing, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies report on the events that took place on Wednesday to mark the 1974 coup against President Makarios and the Turkish invasion.
Sirens sounded at 8.20am to remind people of the time the coup d’etat unfolded.
President Nicos Anastasiades attended a memorial service at the church of Saints Constantinos and Elenis in Nicosia in the presence of political party leaders, government officials and other dignitaries. Later on, wreaths were laid at the tombs of those killed defending the Republic.
Anastasiades said afterwards it was a “day to pay tribute first of all, to those who stood tall and gave their life for democracy, freedom, and national dignity.”
“It is a day of sad memories certainly, as a result of an unlawful criminal action of Greek-speaking officers of the Athens junta, but also disloyal citizens, fortunately a few,” the president said.
Anastasiades said people needed to reflect on the consequences of the treason and the way they were handled.
Cabinet too observed a moment of silence during its meeting.
Parliament held an extraordinary session where MPs observed a moment of silence to honour the dead. The session was also attended by Anastasiades.
House president Demetris Syllouris paid tribute to those “who heroically sacrificed themselves to defend the democracy and freedom of Cyprus”.
Syllouris called for a more active and substantial involvement from the EU so that Turkey can pay for its arrogance and intransigence, which tampers the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue,” Syllouris said.
All the party leaders also addressed the session.
DISY leader Averof Neophytou called for unity in the effort to exit the stalemate in the Cyprus problem and claim the country’s legal rights. He said the stalemate consolidates faits accomplis.
Everyone must strive for a Cyprus rid of past mistakes, and deliver a country with no occupation troops, guarantees from third parties and prosperous, he said.
Main opposition AKEL, Andros Kyprianou, said the solution to the Cyprus problem as it has been agreed with the international community, a bizonal bicommunal federation, must be a priority.
He also asked what the Cypriot government was doing to put Turkey on the spot for its escalated aggression and provocations, adding that Cyprus’ EU partners are patting Ankara on the back.
Kyprianou also called on the government to abandon its illusions and utilise the EU-Turkey dialogue to its own benefit in order to curb Turkish aggression and promote the solution to the Cyprus problem.
According to DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos, unless the GC side changes its strategy and stops this policy of appeasement it has adopted, a possible solution would be bitter and painful. He said his party would not agree to a separatist solution and one that will violate the most basic human rights and freedoms of the Cypriot Hellenism, nor a solution that will dissolve the Republic of Cyprus and turn the island into a Turkish protectorate.
EDEK’s leader Marinos Sizopoulos called on GCs to know their history and claim their rights which could rectify their course. He said defeatism and wishful thinking could only lead to a catastrophic solution. The right solution will secure one state, one people and strengthen the cooperation of the legal residents for the shaping of their common future, he said.
Head of Citizens’ Alliance Giorgos Lillikas said the Cyprus problem is caught up in the maelstrom of geostrategic games and called for a review of the government’s policy to be in line with the new international and regional state of affairs.
Michalis Giorgallas, MP of the Solidarity Movement, spoke of feigned hatred for party gains and called for unity among political parties and unanimity on the agreed goals.
Greens’ head Giorgos Perdikis said people must remember that some, in the name of radical patriotism and nationalism paved the way for the Attilas while the sacrifices of the heroes of the Republic will be vindicated only with a Cyprus problem solution securing a truly sovereign, independent, unified country without foreign armies and settlers.
ELAM leader Christos Christou said the wounds are still open giving some the opportunity to cultivate discord to serve party interests and pointed out there was need for a national line to curb Turkish expansionist plans.
Phileleftheros reports that a ceremony also took place in memory of the commandos who were killed during the coup at the battles at the Presidential Palace. Wreaths were laid by the Archbishop, National Guard leadership, the defence minister, and DISY, ELAM and the Solidarity Movement.
Haravgi reports that AKEL said that the government, DISY, ELAM and the Solidarity Movement, once again, honoured like heroes those who attacked the Presidential Place during the coup, calling their acts as an insult to the people and history. The party said that they declare they condemn the coup but at the same time they honour those who carried it out. AKEL said that true heroes are those who were murdered by the putschists because they refused to attack the Presidential Palace and those murdered for protesting in favour of democracy.
Haravgi also reports that DIKO criticised ELAM over its absence from the memorial of those who were killed defending democracy during the coup. DIKO said this was an immoral contempt of historic truth.
Phileleftheros, in another article, reports that only 128 of the 180 sirens sounded on Wednesday to mark the time the coup started. Of the 52 that did not sound, most of them was due to technical problems while it was decided not to operate others because they are close to sensitive areas such as hospitals.
The daily reports that civil defence, which is in charge of the sirens’ maintenance, said that yesterday, like each year, it received several calls with complaints, some that the sirens had sounded and some that they did not sound in their area.
Next Monday, July 20, the sirens will sound again in the morning, at the time of the Turkish invasion in 1974, and thus all the sirens will be re-inspected to see which ones have been repaired in the meantime and which ones should to be repaired so that they are all in working order, the daily reported.
Haravgi, on the other hand, reports of a suspicious silence of the sirens in the Dherynia area. AKEL’s Famagusta branch called for explanations from authorities after residents of Dherynia and of the Acheritou, Ayios Georgios Vrysoulon and Avgorou villages were waiting in vain yesterday morning for the sirens to sound. The party said that they were not convinced by the excuse given that the sirens were under maintenance, the daily reported.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> The coup anniversary is an opportunity for people to reflect on the consequences of the treason and the way they were handled.
Anastasiades: Turkish Navtex is proof of Ankara’s intentions on EU dialogue
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros
Energy, External Security, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that President Nicos Anastasiades condemned the latest illegal Navtex by Turkey for exploration inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), starting on July 18.
The Navtex covers the area southwest of the island for the period between July 18 – August 20 and follows one that expired on June 18. It covered the area that includes blocks 6 and 7 of Cyprus’ EEZ, which have been licensed to energy companies Eni and Total.
Anastasiades said that Turkey’s actions that ignore international law and European principles and values would be raised during the forthcoming European Council this week.
“It is a strong message to Europe about what they (Turkey) mean when they say they supposedly seek dialogue and supposedly try in every way to be in line with international law,” Anastasiades said.
Haravgi also reports that German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christopher Burger said on Wednesday that Turkey, with its persistence to continue with drilling activities in Cyprus’ EEZ was sending the wrong message. Speaking during a briefing, Burger said that EU High Representative Josep Borrell, has a mandate to hold discussions with Turkey about joint relations with the bloc. “We expect positive steps towards de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean. But yesterday’s announcements by Turkey to continue drilling in Cyprus, are the wrong message,” he said, according to the daily.
Phileleftheros reports that it seems Turkey’s decision to extend the illegal drilling was taken in the last 24 hours, after Yavuz had entered the process of completing the drilling work for its relocation. Although there is no concrete information on the reasons for the extension for another 34 days, in addition to the 90 days that the drilling rig has been already at the site, there are three possible versions, the daily reports. The first one could be that, due to the significant problems they encountered in this drilling there may have been long delays, the second possibility which may create even greater complications in the region, is that there might be indications of positive results for some natural gas deposit at a greater depth, which they decided to investigate. The third possibility is that it is a purely political decision to keep the drilling rig in place in order to serve the political expediencies of Turkey’s president, Phileleftheros reported.
KEY ACTORS
Anastasiades
>> Turkey’s latest Navtex is a strong message to the EU about how sincere Ankara’s expressed willingness is for dialogue with the bloc & that it supposedly tries in every way to be in line with international law.
Burger (German FM’s spokesperson)
>> The EU expects positive steps from Turkey towards deescalation in the East Med but the latest Navtex on the continuation of drilling in Cyprus, sends the wrong message.
North hands over epidemiology report
Alithia, Cyprus Mail
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Both papers report that, finally, the Greek Cypriot side has submitted the much awaited epidemiological report on the coronavirus outlook in the north.
The dailies cite GC head of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, Leonidas Phylactou who said on Wednesday he received from the occupied areas the epidemiological report on Covid-19 and forwarded it to the scientific team for assessment. He added that it will be discussed at the next meeting of the bicommunal committee on Tuesday.
Cyprus Mail report that after weeks of waiting, the TC side on Wednesday finally submitted the epidemiology report on the coronavirus outlook in the north.
Alithia, too reports that the report was submitted after several weeks and constant postponements.
Lefkara maintains TC mosque & cemetery
Alithia, Haravgi, Cyprus Mail
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The dailies report that Lefkara municipality said on Wednesday it would be carrying out its annual maintenance of the mosque and TC cemetery at the village as it strives to conserve the area’s heritage.
Mayor Sofocles Sofocleous said the TC neighbourhood makes up 18 per cent of the Lefkara municipality and were thus obliged to support and maintain the village’s cultural heritage, such as places of worship, cemeteries but also other monuments all over the country.
“With full respect, we need to support and maintain something that we owe both to previous and next generations,” he said, according to the dailies.
He also referred to Turkey’s decision to turn the Hagia Sophia museum back into a mosque adding that Lefkara maintain places of worship like the mosque and cemetery for the TCs. He added that world heritage belongs to the people and there should be no disputes over religion and culture, the papers reported.