Front Page Headlines
Court of Auditors: Irregular spending from the health fund
Following the scandal concerning fake ‘Adapass’ safe passes, new claims are being made by the Court of Auditors concerning irregular spending by the health ministry. Money was spent from the fund to pay billboards and websites that were granted without tenders, the transportation of positive Covid-19 cases or their contacts, the purchase of fuel and other services. The Auditors’ Office said that spending for such items could not be made from the health fund.
A never-ending tender
The public tender launched by KIBTEK (Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority) to purchase fuel has turned into a puzzle. It was announced that Sideral Ltd. was awarded the tender following the sixth attempt to complete the purchase, but the Central Tendering Commission (MIK) decided to seek the opinion of the Attorney General’s office upon claims that the ‘the document on oil refinery supply assurance’ is invalid.
- Tatar-Guterres meeting today – President Ersin Tatar, who is in New York, will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today. The informal trilateral meeting is on Monday.
- The Greek Cypriot leader advocated his proposal of ‘Returning to 1960 constitutional order” – Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades addressed the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
Everyone is uncomfortable
The debate concerning the use of low-quality fuel by KIB-Tek and the problems concerning the tender to purchase that fuel has drawn politicians into the issue. While Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı lashed out at those claiming that low-grade fuel was being used at Teknecik calling them ‘crazy’, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman slammed Arıklı, accusing him of not being able to come to terms with democratic practices. “At least he should watch his mouth,” Erhüman said. Prime Minister Ersan Saner expressed his unhappiness over the purchase of the fuel without a tender.
A temporary return to 1960 for a federal structure
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades addressed the UN General Assembly. Pointing out that a return to the 1960 constitutional order could be a transition to a final solution, Anastasiades said the only solution is a bizonal, bicommunal federation…
- The police cannot touch the owner of the company – Company employee Cemaliye Mutlu was brought to court yesterday regarding the fake AdaPass (safe pass) scandal.
- Working to establish a justice ministry – Lawyer and activist Aslı Murat said the debates on (establishing) a justice ministry has intensified recently.
Main News
Tatar slams Anastasiades for his address at the UNGA
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday slammed the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades over his address at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), accusing him of making false accusations against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.
In a statement issued from his office on Friday, Tatar said Anastasiades, by putting forward distorted claims aimed to conceal the fact that he was using the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) as a political tool against Turkish Cypriots.
“The Greek Cypriot leader in an environment in which the Turkish Cypriots are neither represented nor allowed to speak hid behind the unlawfully seized title of the RoC and continued to play his part the Greek Cypriot side had been playing since 1963,” Tatar argued, adding that he will focus on the root causes of the Cyprus problem instead of responding to all baseless historical, legal, and political accusations made by Anastasiades.
Tatar said that the Cyprus Issue, contrary to claims by the Greek Cypriot side had started in 1963 with intercommunal clashes, followed by the arrival of UN Peacekeepers in 1964. He said the Greek and Greek Cypriots have carried out all sorts of atrocities against the Turkish Cypriots from 1963 to 1974 until Turkey’s military operation.
“Anastasiades needs to comprehend that the Turkish Cypriots were saved by the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation. The operation also means sustainable peace for the island of Cyprus,” Tatar said, noting that advocating for a return to partnership republic which the Greek Cypriots destroyed in 1963, will not change the course of history.
Recalling the outcomes of the Annan Plan referendum in 2004 and the outcome of the Cyprus conference in Crans Montana in 2017, Tatar argued that “it is time to open a new page in Cyprus.”
He added in line with the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) recommendations, the Turkish Cypriot side has tabled a proposal, stating that the negotiations could be launched once the Turkish Cypriot side’s inherent rights of sovereign equality and equal international status were accepted. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side expressed its readiness and willingness for collaboration of the two sovereign and independent states on the island.
“This is the only feasible and realistic option for sustainable reconciliation given the Greek Cypriot side’s rejections of a solution on a federal basis,” Tatar said. Tatar also urged the Greek Cypriot leader to first look at his track record before quoting international law. He provided examples from the past negotiations processes; pointed to the coup attempt in 1974 in Cyprus; raised the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot community; most recently the instructions are given by the Greek Cypriot education minister to tear out a page from a textbook which had a section on Turkey’s founding president Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
“We expect from the international community to approach the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals for a realistic and sustainable agreement with an open mind,” Tatar concluded.
Meanwhile, Tatar is set to meet with the UNSC on Saturday. Tatar in a statement issued on Friday said he would be sharing the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said he will be participating in Saturday’s and Monday’s trilateral meeting in goodwill and a constructive attitude, adding It was important to maintain dialogue and collaboration between the two sides.
He gave the example of the latest decision implemented by the bicommunal technical committee on health to allow fully vaccinated people to use the crossings without tests was a good example of collaboration and dialogue between the sides.
“Ahead of a possible agreement, it is vital to increase confidence between the two sides,” Tatar said, adding that the bridge of diplomacy and continuous dialogue constitute the primary tools for establishing the parameters of good neighbourly relations and for reconciliation.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar
>> GC leader using RoC as a political tool to make baseless claims & accusations against TCs.
>> Cyprob began in 1963, not 74. The arrival of UNFICYP in 1964 is proof of this.
>> Two-state solution is the only feasible option for a settlement in Cyprus.
>> International community should approach the TC side’s position with an open mind.
>> TC side will be attending a meeting with UNSC & trilateral meeting on Monday in goodwill & a constructive attitude.
>> Important to maintain dialogue & collaboration between the two sides.
>>The decision taken by the bicommunal health committee is a good example of this.
Çavuşoğlu: “We will continue to support the TC side”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Thursday said that Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem as well as other issues.
During a meeting with the representatives of the Turkish community in New York, Çavuşoğlu also noted that the Turkish Cypriot representation in NY has been allocated office space at the recently inaugurated Turkish House in addition to Turkish diplomatic missions. Çavuşoğlu said the Turkish Cypriot side participated in the negotiations for a federal settlement for 54 years with a constructive approach.
“Nonetheless, the processes have all failed due to Greek Cypriot side’s attitude that sees the Turkish Cypriots as a minority on the island and its refusal to share anything with the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side negotiated for a federal settlement for the last time in Crans Montana in 2017.
“Everyone will have to recognize the TRNC’s sovereignty as well as its inherent rights from the 1960 constitution,” Çavuşoğlu stressed, reaffirming Ankara’s support to the Turkish Cypriot side.
Also speaking during the event, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side will not give up on its demands of sovereignty or from the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees. Touching on the struggles endured by the Turkish Cypriots in the past, Tatar said the Turkish Cypriots are now able to look to the future with hope.
“This is a joint cause, a national one in fact. Turkey has always been and will be standing on the side of the Turkish Cypriots,” Tatar said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots feel safer as long as Turkey stands strong.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey will continue to support the TC side on Cyprob & other issues.
>> All past efforts to reach a federal settlement failed due to GC’s irreconcilable stance.
Tatar
>> TC side will not abandon its sovereignty or continuation of Turkey’s guarantees.
Ercan (Tymbou) airport preparing to upgrade to ICAO & ECAC standards
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Civil Aviation Department has intensified its efforts to upgrade Ercan (Tymbou) Airport to the standards laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) standards for the airport to be ready for direct flights.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Turkish Cypriot Civil Aviation Department announced that it has identified the areas that needed to be improved and has already launched the legislative work in that direction.
Civil Aviation Department said one primary law, eight secondary legislations, and four plans needed to be prepared. Seven draft regulations have already been submitted to the relevant parliamentary subcommittee for their evaluation.
Eight arrested for trying to cross illegally to the south through Akıncılar (Louroujina)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights, Internal Security
OVERVIEW
Eight people on Friday were brought before a judge at the Nicosia District Court as being charged with the crime of violating a first-degree military zone near Akıncılar (Louroujina) village, east of Nicosia.
Explaining the details of the case, the police officer in charge of the investigation told the judge that the suspects had been detained by the police on September 18 in Akıncılar (Louroujina). Following further investigation, two were suspects, who would have met with the other six suspects, who are African nationals, to take them to the southern part of the island, were found and arrested as well.
The Turkish Cypriot suspects were charged with human trafficking and were released on bail. The African nationals were sent to the central prison pending the court’s verdict for a period of no longer than 40 days.