Front Page Headlines
Fake test scandal
It was detected that an orchestra from Turkey arrived on the island with fake PCR tests. The musicians appeared before the court after the concert. Lawyers are outraged: Both those who travelled with fake documents and those who allowed them into the country are guilty! 22 musicians accompanying Turkish Diva Bülent Ersoy were caught as they tried to enter the country with fake PCR tests. There was outrage when authorities allowed the musicians to perform instead of arresting them so as not to allow people who bought tickets to be affected.
- CTP: Federal settlement is the only solution accepted by the world.
Arable lands are being developed
Due to unplanned development in our country, the amount of arable land is steadily disappearing. Thousands of dönüm (dunams) of land suitable for agriculture have been transformed into concrete jungles in the name of development.
PCR gang allowed to give its concert
22 musicians in Bülent Ersoy’s entourage tried to enter the TRNC unlawfully after being given fake PCR documents. Instead of arresting them, the police allowed the 22 musicians to perform at the concert.
- Unacceptable – Republican Turkish Party (CTP) responded to Nicos Anastasiades’ call on the Turkish Cypriots to return to the “Republic of Cyprus.”
There is a problem
A slaughterhouse built at EU standards in our country where 15,000 heads of small livestock and 2,500 heads of cattle are slaughtered every month remains closed despite being leased to a company. The slaughterhouse which was completed years ago is not being able to operate because of the piles of rubbish and waste littered around the building. The head of the Livestock Breeders’ Association Mustafa Naimoğluları told Diyalog newspaper that the slaughterhouse was rented to KIB-ET but has yet to come into service. While the Mayor of Nicosia (Turkish Municipality) Mehmet Harmancı confirmed the story, he refrained from providing any information as to why the slaughterhouse has not opened. The Director of KIB-ET Ahmet Fuat drew attention to the waste and rubbish surrounding the building and said they were waiting for the municipality to help clear the area before they could start operating.
- ‘The right decision’ – An overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriots support the decision to rescind the passports of Tatar and other ministers.
They would have been arrested immediately if they were one of us
Bülent Ersoy and her band’s arrival to our island turned into a scandal. The band members arrived at Ercan (Tymbou) airport with fake PCR tests but then the musicians were tested at the airport. When their tests came back negative, they were told they could perform. It emerged that the Y.T., who works at the health department at İskele (Trikomo) municipality, prepared the fake PCR tests. The suspect was detained by the police and the court remanded him for three days.
- The CTP opposed returning to 1960 – In a written statement made, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said “Returning to 1960 is against the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and is unacceptable.”
Main News
CTP opposes a return to 1960, says BBF is the only solution model
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Sunday repeated its support for a bizonal, bicommunal federal (BBF) settlement in Cyprus. The CTP also expressed its opposition to the offer voiced by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades to return to the 1960 constitutional order, stating that this would be against the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community.
A written statement issued by the party said that unilateral positions adopted and steps taken on both sides of the divide which were against the joint interests and rights of the two communities and a violation of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions were causing the political rift on the island to grow.
The statement also pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side’s demand for a two-state solution and the recognition of its sovereign equality as a precondition for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement, its refusal to carry out a dialogue with the UN on Maraş (Varosha) as well as the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades’ proposal to return to the 1960 constitutional order demonstrated the seriousness of the matter.
It said that the Greek Cypriot leadership’s decision to rescind the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) passports of some Turkish Cypriot politicians also contributed to the heightening of tensions.
The CTP said that the UN special envoy Jane Holl Lute who was expected to visit the island in the coming days needed to bring the two sides on a legitimate basis which is a BBF based on political equality.
“Furthermore, as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated, the new negotiations process must be ‘different’ and carried out in a ‘sense of urgency. It must be result-oriented and subject to a timeframe,” the statement read.
The CTP also said that the federal settlement based on political equality is the only solution model which will prevent the dependency of Cyprus on another country. “While the international community and the EU has made it clear it will not accept a two-state solution in Cyprus, the continuation of Turkish Cypriots’ EU citizenship can only be possible with a federal republic,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersan Saner also expressed his opposition to the return to the 1960 constitutional order. In a written statement issued on Sunday to mark Turkey’s Victory Day, Saner called on Anastasiades to acknowledge the realities on the island instead of trying to return to the pre-1974 period. He added the Turkish Cypriot people will forever protect their sovereignty and freedom.
“If the Greek Cypriot side wants a sustainable agreement on the island, the hopes for concessions must end,” Saner said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will never give up on Turkey’s guarantees on the island. Saner also claimed that the UN must recognize the fact that there is another independent state in the north.
“The UN by disregarding the reality of the TRNC, will not be able to establish peace, collaboration or stability on the island by supporting the Greek and Greek Cypriot duo’s positions and their interests,” Saner concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Return to 1960 constitutional order against interests of TC & unacceptable.
>> Unilateral position adopted by the two sides & steps taken raising tensions & causing a rift between two communities to grow.
>> New talks must be different & carried out with a sense of urgency. Talks must be results-oriented and subject to a timeframe.
>> BFF only solution model which will prevent dependency of Cyprus to another country & ensure EU citizenship for TCs.
Saner (UBP)
>> Anastasiades must acknowledge realities on the island instead of trying to return to the pre-1974 era.
>> GC side must abandon hopes of concessions if it wants a sustainable agreement on the island.
>> TCs will never abandon Turkey’s guarantees.
>> UN must recognize that there is another independent state in Cyprus.
HAKSEN supports protest to be organized by TC workers working in the south
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The Equal Rights and Justice Trade Union (HAKSEN) announced on Sunday that it will support a protest being organized by Turkish Cypriots working in the south regarding the Turkish Cypriot government’s decision to end free PCR/rapid test testing for everyone.
In a written statement, HAKSEN said that the government needed to carry out free testing not only for those working in the south but the whole community.
It added that the decision was a serious blow to the people who were already struggling with the economic crisis. The protest will be staged in front of the Finance Ministry and Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday, August 31.