TRNC News Today 16^th March 2016

Anastasiades: “If Turkey does not fulfil its obligations concerning Cyprus, we will not consent to opening of the chapters”

The leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades said that if Turkey does not fulfil its obligations concerning Cyprus, they will not consent to opening of the chapters.

According to the Greek Cypriot news sources, in his statement following the meeting with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Anastasiades stated that it is unacceptable to shift the burden of responsibility for the migration crisis on the shoulders of the Greek Cypriot Administration.

In his statements, Tusk stated that he is not in the island to exert pressure on Cyprus. On the contrary, he was here to listen to Greek Cypriots’ dissertations before the EU-Turkey summit.

At the same time, he stressed that the same strict conditionality applies and moving forward will still require the agreement of all 28 Member States and he underlined that no third country can ever be more important than any other Member States.

Davutoğlu: “Turkey suggested a proposal within the framework of consciousness of responsibility”

In his speech at the joint press conference following the meeting with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said: “I would like to convey the proposal both to the European and the Turkish public again on the issue of refugee crisis that we conveyed previously at the Brussels Summit. The main aim of the proposal is human dimension. Turkey suggested a proposal within the framework of consciousness of responsibility for no more people losing their lives in the Aegean Sea and to reduce the illegal crossing as much as possible and if possible to be removed entirely.

Davutoğlu also added that Turkey’s position is clear regarding 3 billion Euros financial support which will be provided for Syrian refugees with contributions of the EU Commission and the member countries. We never bargain for the money. We never see this issue as a material matter, this is a humanitarian issue.

Interior and Labour Ministry: “Do not rely on information except the official statements”

The Interior and Labour Ministry reported that the news about the British intelligence service warning local authorities of an impending bombing attack is not reflecting the reality and asked not to rely on information except the official statements.

The official statement of the Interior and Labour Ministry is as follows;

“Some web sites made news on behalf of the Ministry that a warning was made by British Intelligence. The British Intelligence did not make this kind of warning. Our ministry will make an official statement in a possible situation. It is importantly announced not to rely on information except official statements of the Ministry.”

NEU and KU to build a “National History Museum”

Near East University and University of Kyrenia Boards of Trustees have decided to build a “National History Museum” to shed light on Cyprus Turkish history.

The museum is expected to be opened on 20 July. Speaking at the press conference held yesterday regarding the issue, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Doc. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said that their aim is to build a museum which will teach the history of the Turkish Cypriot people and their story of the struggle for existence to children and young ones as well as to the tourists visiting the country. Stating that a Science Committee has been established consisting of 35 people to carry out the activities related to the museum which will be built in the NEU campus, Günsel said that they are also open to all kinds of contributions of the public in respect of the works regarding the museum.

Trump wants to have casino licence in South Cyprus

Greek Cypriot Daily Cyprus Mail reported today that US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is apparently desperate to win South Cyprus’ bid for a casino licence and has reportedly linked up with two companies – one associated with Helector – the Paphos (South Cyprus) waste management firm currently being investigated, in a bid to win the tender.

The revelation came through an investigation by the Global Sources Magazine which was picked up by several outlets including Israeli’s Haaretz.

The report says Trump Organisation LLC, based in Manhattan, New York city, even hired a Greek Cypriot former minister of finance to help win the tender.

Citing Cypriot officials, Global Sources Magazine said Trump had linked up with Aktor, the parent company of Helector, currently being investigated in Cyprus for waste management scandals in Paphos and Larnaca (South Cyprus) with suspects including former Paphos mayor Savvas Vergas and Larnaca mayor Andreas Louroudjiatis, arrested.

The other partner is said to be Navegante Group, a gaming company based in Nevada, USA. Its chairman Larry Woolf was named by the New York Times in 2010 for being involved with Aqueduct Entertainment, which donated to Democratic parties and in turn won the tender to build New York’s first casino.

Cypriot officials had, according to Global Sources Magazine said Trump’s organisation should have been aware of the allegations against Aktor as they are well known in Greece and South Cyprus’ business communities.

Nevertheless, Trump’s firm was not selected amongst the three shortlisted candidates – consortium comprising Hard Rock (Las Vegas) and Melco International Development Limited (Macau), Bloomberry Resorts (Philippines) and Nagacorp (Cambodia),

According to sources cited in the report, representatives of the controversial candidate had recently approached ‘influential parties’ on the island to try win the support.

As the final selection on who gets the licence will be made by the government, this has allowed room for a lot of behind the scenes lobbying, the article said, particularly in the ranks of ruling party DISY.

The Trump-Navegante-Aktor consortium had proposed a development in South Nicosia, boasting a luxury shopping mall, multiple hotels, an outdoor amphitheatre and a convention centre, Global Sources Magazine said.