Front Page Headlines
Open the new prison before July 20!
While the isolation of Turkish Cypriots from the world continues, pompous messages challenging the international community and inaugurations of various facilities are expected on July 20. There are currently 622 inmates at the central prison in Nicosia which has a capacity of 175. The new prison building is completed and waiting to be opened. The prison wardens and guards are complaining that they are not safe in the current prison building.
- Another person banned from entering Turkey – Cypriot researcher and writer Ahmet Can An was also barred from entering Turkey.
The army of the unemployed growing
The 2020 Household Labour Force Survey findings revealed that 14.950 people in the TRNC are unemployed. The percentage of unemployment as a result of the closure of many businesses or downsizing of companies due to the pandemic will be identified with a new survey to be conducted in 2021. Kıbrıs conducted preliminary research on the issue and discussed the economic problems faced with the representatives of 11 sectors.
- TRNC citizens coming from the UK will be able to enter without mandatory quarantine if they are fully vaccinated – Health Minister Ünal Üstel said.
- New rules enter into force – Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases’ coronavirus measures enter into force today. The crossing procedures have been moved up to the ‘red’ level as well.
A gift awarded on a silver platter in Kyrenia
The warehouses located in the centre of Kyrenia and worth millions of British pounds are being given to the “TRNC Respect to National Will” Platform, which is made of organisations like the AKP (Justice and Development Party) TRNC representation office and AK Hatay Association. The ‘warehouses’ had been utilized by the Turkish military since 1974 but were recently vacated. The head of the Platform is Talip Sancar, who uses the title of AKP TRNC Representative on his social media accounts and publishes his photographs taken with the president, prime minister and the Turkish Ambassador.
We are warning once again: This is not the way to handle things
Everyone will get infected with Covid-19. The public which complains that getting tested has become torture called on the authorities to take urgent measures. People forced to wait in the heat to get tested have started to fight with health staff and pólice. The public continued to queue in the heat yesterday to get tested following the introduction of the PCR requirement for indoor areas. Arguments broke out between health workers and those waiting in line. The head of the PCR/rapid test centre in Nicosia nurse Filiz Uzun said they were forced to call the police after being attacked.
- “I will spit on you” – Drunk woman positive with Covid-19 threatened Greek Cypriot pólice officer.
The blacklist is quite long
Following Ali Bizden, Ahmet An was also barred from entering Turkey and deported back to Cyprus from Istanbul airport. It’s not only Mustafa Akıncı who is on Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s blacklist but every other Turkish Cypriot who is known for his/her opposition stance. Researcher and writer Dr Ahmet Cavit An who flew to Istanbul yesterday was prevented from entering Turkey. He was also provided with the same excuse given to Ali Bizden, that he was a threat to Turkey’s security. An had won a case filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Turkey after being prevented by authorities in the north from crossing to the south in 1992.
Main News
A solution will become unattainable unless parties act decisively, UNSG warns
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in his latest Good Offices Mission report that unless parties act decisively now, continuing dynamics in and around Cyprus could render future efforts to solve the Cyprus problem unattainable.
An unofficial copy of the report was given on Friday afternoon to the Security Council (UNSC) members, the Turkish Cypriot dailies report on Monday.
Urging the parties to engage constructively in the continuing consultations to launch the official round of talks, Guterres stressed that the UNSC has made clear in numerous resolutions over nearly fifty years that there is only one sovereign state on the island of Cyprus.
Guterres reiterating his determination to continue to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement within a foreseeable horizon said Cypriots “deserve to live in peace and prosperity together in the exercise of their equal inherent rights.”
“Therefore, I urge the parties to engage constructively in the continuing consultations so that meaningful talks can again resume,” he said.
Guterres also pointed to “the realities on the island”, and warned the coming months could prove to be decisive for the future of the Cyprus peace process, with possible repercussions on the island as well as around the Eastern Mediterranean region.
He also noted that the international community is ready to be fully engaged in the process and play its part. Guterres also urged the Cypriot leaders to take on the responsibility for the future of Cypriots, asking them to clearly explain to the constituents what’s at stake.
The UNSG also urged the guarantor powers to support the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and welcomed the decrease in the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean region and welcomed the dialogue between guarantor powers Greece and Turkey.
Noting that four years after the process in Crans-Montana the issues on the table have become more complicated, Guterres stressed the future of the process remains in the hands of the parties, especially the two Cypriot leaders.
He noted that the two sides’ positions remain far apart, stressing that “as we endeavour to support the sides in seeking common ground, the parties’ display of flexibility, political will, and a clear-eyed view of the best interests of the Cypriots will be of paramount importance.”
The SG stressed the need to avoid actions on the island, including in Maraş (Varosha), that could complicate chances for finding common ground between the parties or could trigger tensions. He said developments on the ground in the fenced-off town of Varosha continue to be observed, noting that the UN’s position on the fenced-off town has not changed in view of the relevant and existing UNSC resolutions.
Guterres also referred to the issue of hydrocarbons and reiterated that natural resources around the island should benefit both communities and constitute a strong incentive for the parties to find a mutually acceptable and durable solution in Cyprus and to engender deeper regional cooperation.
KEY ACTORS
Guterres (UN)
>> Unless parties act decisively continuing dynamics in & around Cyprus could render future efforts to solve the Cyprob unattainable.
>> Parties should engage constructively in the continuing consultations to launch the official round of talks.
>> UN determined to continue to assist parties in solving the Cyprob within the foreseeable future.
>> Cypriots deserve to live in peace & prosperity together in the exercise of their inherent rights.
>> International community is ready to be fully engaged in the process and play their part.
>> Cypriot leaders should clearly explain to the constituents what’s at stake.
>> Guarantor powers should support the efforts to resolve the Cyprob.
>> Lowering of tensions in East Med & dialogue between Greece & Turkey welcoming.
>> The sides need to avoid actions on the island, including in Maraş (Varosha), that could complicate chances for finding common ground between the parties or could trigger tensions.
>> Natural resources around the island should benefit both communities & constitute a strong incentive for the sides to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Researcher-Writer Ahmet Cavit An also denied entry to Turkey
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The list of Turkish Cypriot intellectuals and opinion leaders banned from entering Turkey continued to grow on Sunday after Turkish Cypriot research and writer Dr Ahmet Cavit An (MD) was denied entry into Turkey.
An, a harsh critic, is the second person to be banned from entering Turkey on grounds of constituting a threat to the country’s national security.
Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı’s press advisor Ali Bizden was the first person to be denied entry last week on similar grounds. Dr Ahmet Cavit An was also told that he was a “threat to national security” (of Turkey) and informed that he could obtain detailed information from the Turkish Embassy in north Nicosia.
Nonetheless, Cavit An, who is a paediatrician by profession, was allowed to return to the north with the next flight after he was kept in a room with a sign reading: “Immigration Administration.”
Cavit An is also famous for his research papers and books on Cyprus as well as Maraş (Varosha).