Dr. Kudret Öserzay speaks to members of the Foreign Residents Association in the TRNC

By Heidi Trautmann

‘There is something rotten in the State of Denmark’  with these words I have begun my interview with Dr. Kudret Öserzay in May 2013 having watched his activities for many months before I contacted him. I don’t think that I have to add much more to what I said then to describe the person and his vision for the TRNC but the important fact now is that he has decided to stand for presidency. Read my interview before you continue reading about the meeting.

http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=8665257547#.VN8JgeaUfg9

On February 13, he came to meet members of the TFR at the Acmenya Restaurant in Alsancak, the place where the association holds its regular weekly meetings, following the invitation and the wish of the Forein Residents - with more than 20 different nationalities -  to learn more about the vision of this man who is standing up for presidency.  (learn more about the association through their website www.tfrnorthcyprus.wordpress.com

Kudret Öserzay is fully aware of the situation Cyprus is in and that nothing will ever change  ..... ‘if we don’t begin to change the things from inside, we have to get down to the root of our troubles ourselves, we must not wait until the Cyprus Problem is solved, or if someone from outside comes to lend a hand, no, we must bring order into our house. For too long the home made problems have been put aside with the excuse that the Cyprus Problem stands in our way, that we cannot make a move to better the situation.....’

With these home made troubles Kudret Öserzay means among others the municipalities that carry the load of triple the amount of civil servants that are required, the non existent handling of environment problems, the water and electricity problems – I add here the telephone communication problems – and last but not least the health system ‘....there is a lack of professionalism in the civil authorities, that is why a normal running of procedures is blocked, due to the inefficiency of people doing their jobs, although the president has the right to select the people he sees fit for the job.  Civil servants must be carefully selected, and this what I intend to do should I be sitting on the chair of the president’.......

The main interest by the TFR members lies with the peace talks, will there be a reunification and under what conditions, and of course the property issue. Kudret Öserzay has been closely involved with all these issues having been the negotiator for so many years.  ... ‘the talks must be conducted with a give and take attitude, there is no other way.  The hold-ups are nothing but an excuse.  The property issue can no longer be regarded from the law point of view, there is an emotional value that has to be taken into consideration when it comes to decision making in front of a court.  ‘These are matters I will have to take care of in first place’, he said.

A further point of discussion was permanent residence and citizenship for foreign residents a problem which was held on hold for many years. Kudret Öserzay promised that in case he was being elected he would take care of that since he believes that all people living on the island permanently have rights, the right to participate and the right to vote, but at the same time he has to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.  A proper balance is necessary.

Many other points were being discussed, ‘what would be if’ sort of questions and Kudret Öserzay answered them truthfully and  his statements were clear without arising any false hope. He is working for a clean society and transparent politics, a modern united society based on the advantages of multi cultural background.

So far as I could see, Dr. Kudret Öserzay was shown trust and sympathy by the TFR members  and we thank him for the time he took to explain his vision of the future with simple words.

What we need, not only in Cyprus, are politicians with a vision, a captain who knows the waters he is taking his ship through, the cliffs he needs to go around and the safe büküs he can anchor in when the weather is too stormy.