Front Page Headlines
1,823 locally transmitted, 2240 cases in the last 40 days
The frightening Covid-19 figures. Numbers have doubled in the last 40 days. Doctors warn that the situation will become worse in August if precautions are not taken. While 2240 cases were detected between June 1 and July 11, the fact that 1,823 of these cases were locally transmitted or the source of infection is not known is worrying.
- Breaking point – Who is on the list of banned names? Cypriot writer and researcher Ahmet An: If there is a ban, who took this decision? Head of the Bar Association Hasan Esendağlı: I’m worried…this could be the breaking point. Ali Bizden: I would like to listen to what (President) Ersin Tatar has to say.
Fourth hike to fuel prices in two months
The Council of Ministers announced an increase in fuel prices between ₺0.30 (€0.029) to ₺0.51 (€0.049)/per litre due to a rise in global oil prices. The price increase was reflected onto consumers because the Price Stability Fund was spent carelessly and for other unrelated purposes.
- PCR commotion causes a change in rules again! – The PCR requirement introduced for indoor areas caused long queues at testing sites yesterday. The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases revised the rules following the crowds that formed. Vaccinated persons or individuals who were infected in the last 30-180 days will be exempt from the requirement.
The UBP plays dumb and deaf
Following Ali Bizden, Dr Ahmet An’s entry into Turkey was also denied. The National Unity Party (UBP) claims “It is not our problem” While the list of people entering Turkey keeps growing, the senior coalition partner UBP’s General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu in response to a question on Havadis web TV, said “This is not UBP’s problem. They (the people barred from entering Turkey) could file lawsuits in Turkey.”
- Starving and sick, not free – The symbol of Karpaz (Karpasia) the free donkeys need attention. The donkeys which suffer from malnutrition are now battling animal diseases.
This is the right thing to do
The Health Ministry cancelled the PCR requirement for vaccinated individuals after taking into account the problems experienced. While the decision was welcomed by everyone, people have stressed the importance of speeding up the vaccination drive. The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases also announced that vaccinated individuals travelling from the UK, recently moved up to the ‘red’ list of countries, will be exempt from quarantine until July 29. The committee will reassess the situation on July 29.
- Tatar happy – First Secretary at Pakistan’s Embassy in Ankara İfrah Tariq was at the presidential palace.
Erdoğan to arrive…Laws to be ignored
This is the instruction given by Police Chief Günay Özan to his officers concerning protests organised against Tayyip Erdoğan during his arrival on the island on July 19, 2011. Police inspector Arslan Çoşkun who his sworn testimony in court during the hearing on the court case involving the protests said that the Police Chief Özan had gathered the high-ranking officers to inform them of Erdoğan’s visit and had told them that the laws would be ignored throughout the visit.
- Refugees in the south want their properties in Maraş (Varosha) back – Refugees in the south demanded property from Maraş (Varosha) in exchange for their points.
Main News
Political equality is the core of all the UN parameters
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday expressed his disappointment over the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres’ reports for his Good Offices and his Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus, stressing that the reports contained “significant inaccuracies and incorrect assessments.”
In an initial assessment of the report that covers the period from December 19, 2020, to June 18, 2021, Tatar said the Turkish Cypriot side’s detailed objections will be submitted to the UNSG through the north’s New York representation office.
“The most obvious mistake made in the Good Offices’ report for example is the inaccurate reflection of the Turkish Cypriot side’s position even though this was clearly expressed to the UNSG at the end of the informal five-plus-one meeting in Geneva,” Tatar said in a written statement.
He added that a more detailed assessment will be shared with the public once the reports are approved by the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and now a retired Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Ferdi Sabit Soyer on Monday slammed the Turkish Cypriot leadership for their position adopted in the negotiations process.
“Political equality is the core aspect of all the UN parameters to date. Even though we must focus on our efforts on securing political equality, we are venturing into new areas,” Soyer said, adding that it was obvious the Turkish Cypriot leadership had not grasped the seriousness of the matter.
Soyer, speaking during a programme on TV2020, argued that the latest UN report on its Good Offices mission should have been embraced by the Turkish Cypriot side.
“I’m shocked to see that some Turkish Cypriots were shocked to see UNSG highlighted the principle of equality,” Soyer said, adding that “This should be the Turkish Cypriot side’s primary basis for its arguments.” An unofficial copy of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ latest reports on his Good Offices Mission and his Peacekeeping Mission (UNFICYP) was circulated to the UNSC members on Friday, July 9.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> UNSG’s reports are filled with inaccuracies & wrong assessments.
>> The TC side’s position vis-à-vis a solution was clearly outlined in Geneva.
Soyer (CTP)
>> TCs must focus on securing political equality which is at the core of UN parameters.
Erdoğan: ‘We will show the world Turkey is in solidarity with the TCs’
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“We will give the entire world the message that we stand in strong solidarity with the TRNC in their struggle for justice and for protecting their rights,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara following a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan reminded that he will be attending events in the north marking the 47th anniversary of the Turkish military operation with a large delegation.
In the meantime, Yenidüzen claimed Erdoğan will also be addressing the Turkish Cypriot Parliament at a special session during his visit to the island. According to information obtained by the Turkish Cypriot daily, the preparations at the parliament are already underway, should Erdogan agree to deliver a speech at the parliament, which had failed to convene on its last two attempts after failing to achieve a quorum to officially announce a summer recess.
The daily also reported that the opposition is seriously concerned by such a possibility despite the coalition government’s insistence.
It is understood that none of the parties will be allowed to speak at the session either. The paper also said that Erdoğan will reiterate his viewpoint in favour of a two-state solution, emphasizing the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereignty and independence against the federal solution model.
It is also speculated that Erdoğan might announce new decisions on Maraş (Varosha), the military base in Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) and the creation of a naval base in the north. No statements or announcements were made for any counter-protests to be organized in the north for Erdoğan’s visit on July 20.
Debate on the ban of TCs from entering Turkey continues
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The issue concerning the banning of certain Turkish Cypriots from entering Turkey on grounds they posed a threat to the country’s national security continues to occupy the north’s agenda.
Commenting on the issue, National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said that the Turkish courts could provide more clarity on the matter. He added that individuals could apply to the courts to revoke and challenge the decision. “This is about Turkey and its public interest,” Hasipoğlu, who is a lawyer by profession, said.
Speaking on Havadis web TV Hasipoğlu said that every state could exercise a decision to bar individuals from entering its territory and that the issue was not unique to Turkish Cypriots. Responding to the claims that the so-called blacklist is being kept at the Turkish Embassy in north Nicosia, Hasipoğlu said he was not aware if the government launched an inquiry into the matter.
“This is not a matter for the UBP nor is it for any political party. This is a matter for the government, and should they see any need, the Foreign Ministry will take the necessary steps to launch the necessary initiatives,” Hasipoğlu noted.
In the meantime, Ali Bizden in a social media post on Monday said he has asked to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. Bizden said he will share his viewpoint on him being barred from entering Turkey, adding that “I also would like to listen to Tatar’s evaluation on the issue.”
“I have also asked to be informed if it is not possible to allow me in the office of the president as well,” Bizden concluded.
Ahmet Cavit An who spoke to Yenidüzen questioned the justification and legality of the decision taken.He questioned who had instructed the Turkish authorities to take such a decision.
Head of the Turkish Cypriot Bar Association Hasan Esendağlı who also commented on the issue, expressed concern over the developments, arguing that relations between the north and Turkey were at a breaking point.
Bizden on July 7 and Cavit An on July 11 were denied entry into Turkey and were deported back to the north. Both had been deemed as a “threat to Turkey’s national security” in a decision adopted in September 2020 for five years.
The decision to bar them from entering Turkey had sent shockwaves through the Turkish Cypriot community and the opposition, reigniting a never-ending debate on relations with Ankara while the government and Tatar maintained their silence to date other than a benign statement from the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry claiming to have “launched the necessary initiatives with the Turkish authorities.”
Tatar: “The GC mentality has not changed a bit”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday said that Turkish Cypriots will never give up on their freedom or sovereignty and will never accept being a minority community in a state-run by the Greek Cypriots.
In a written message issued to mark the anniversary of 11 Turkish Cypriots killed during intercommunal fighting in 1958, Tatar claimed that the Greek Cypriots’ mentality had not changed since the late 1950s.
“The Greek Cypriots see themselves as the sole owners of Cyprus,” Tatar argued, adding that the Greek Cypriot side only wanted to grant minority rights to the Turkish Cypriots. Tatar stressed that the Turkish Cypriots will not agree to return to pre-1974 days nor will they accept giving up on Turkey’s guarantees.