Political scandal. It was reported a couple of days ago that a private plane with thirteen passengers arrived at Ercan airport here in the TRNC from Turkey and the passengers were not quarantined as others are required to be. Soothing official explanation: they were here to complete technical studies for the planned Lapta marina.They had separate accommodation and did not mix with local people. There was no danger of infection. Actually complainants were divided between those objecting to the risk of infection and those objecting to the unfairness of some being spared a quarantine period that everyone else is required to complete.
Then comes the scandal as it is revealed that the technical studies story is untrue. The Turkish men were here to gamble at one of the casinos and, it is said, brought three Russian girls with them. They are also believed to have made a shopping expedition to Girne (Kyrenia). So much indignation, particularly as the consensus is that this could not have occurred without the connivance of one or more politicians.
The council of ministers has been meeting today but no apparent word regarding the border - of more concern to us than the scandal. Actually the council of ministers has an interesting way of developing policy. It meets and then releases information (normally the information is in fact released rather than leaked). However, the information released is almost always incomplete and flawed. People raise inquiries and complaints. Clarifications and modifications follow. These too may be incomplete and subject to revision. Presumably the way it goes when the focus is not on parliamentary debate, committee scrutiny, and a competent professional civil service. And not completely unknown with executive decision making in more established governments, especially during the pandemic.
Then comes the scandal as it is revealed that the technical studies story is untrue. The Turkish men were here to gamble at one of the casinos and, it is said, brought three Russian girls with them. They are also believed to have made a shopping expedition to Girne (Kyrenia). So much indignation, particularly as the consensus is that this could not have occurred without the connivance of one or more politicians.
The council of ministers has been meeting today but no apparent word regarding the border - of more concern to us than the scandal. Actually the council of ministers has an interesting way of developing policy. It meets and then releases information (normally the information is in fact released rather than leaked). However, the information released is almost always incomplete and flawed. People raise inquiries and complaints. Clarifications and modifications follow. These too may be incomplete and subject to revision. Presumably the way it goes when the focus is not on parliamentary debate, committee scrutiny, and a competent professional civil service. And not completely unknown with executive decision making in more established governments, especially during the pandemic.