Nicosia, Cyprus. CTP ‘MP’ Erkut Sahali on Friday accused the north’s ruling coalition of treating the island’s northern third like “the spoils of war” as debate continues over a fibreoptic internet deal. He also criticised the role of the ‘public works minister’ and the implications of the protocol for state authority.
“Spoils of war” accusation and language used
Sahali told Kibris Postasi TV that the government “sees this country like the spoils of war,” adding that it does not regard the area as a homeland and seeks to profit from it. He used the Turkish word “ganimet” for “spoils of war,” derived from an Arabic word referring to wealth or riches, and associated in Cyprus with the looting and use of properties abandoned by Greek Cypriots in and after 1974.
Criticism of minister and claims about governance
Sahali accused the north’s ‘public works minister’ Erhan Arikli of “acting with a despotic attitude,” and said, “a fascist is a fascist,” adding that “you cannot expect a democratic attitude from a fascist.” He said the government “act[s] like fascists” regarding elements in an agreement signed with another state that he said could diminish or destroy their own state.
Opposition to the protocol and sovereignty concerns
Sahali said the deal is tantamount to the “nullification of the state’s authority,” and that the ruling coalition had declared, “we cannot handle the communications business, and we have no claim to sovereignty.” He said the state’s status disappears when it does not invest, gives up operations, shirks supervisory responsibilities, does not protect the commercial sector in price setting, and says, “do whatever you want and hand it to us in 25 years’ time.”
Legislative session and filibuster
Debate over the protocol peaked on Monday night when the ruling coalition attempted to pass it through the Turkish Cypriot legislature but failed after opposition members carried out a filibuster lasting almost 19 hours. The session was scheduled to begin at 10am on Monday but started eight hours late at 6pm and was adjourned after midday on Tuesday after Sahali unfurled a black flag in the chamber.
Parties to the deal and projected cost
The deal was struck between the Turkish government, the north’s ruling coalition, and Turkish telecommunications company Turk Telekom. If passed by the Turkish Cypriot legislature, it would see Turkish Cypriot taxpayers spend €110 million to provide fibreoptic internet infrastructure in the north.
What should lawmakers prioritise when assessing long-term telecommunications agreements involving public funds?