Sucuoğlu: I Was Ashamed of the Ports

Sucuoğlu was a guest on “Manşet,” a programme hosted and presented by Aytuğ Türkkan on Kanal T.

Sucuoğlu said he had worked in personal harmony with UBP Chairman Ünal Üstel over the past four years, adding: “Therefore, we have never had any problems. He has never shown us the slightest disrespect.”

“Even discussing these issues now would harm the party,” Sucuoğlu said, adding: “Neither I nor anyone else can have such a thought at this point. Ünal Bey is the party chairman. We will go into this election together and in unity with Ünal Bey.”

Sucuoğlu said UBP would have strong support as long as it maintained its unity and integrity, adding that most of the disputes previously experienced within the party had been left behind and that everyone was trying to focus on the election.

Stating that the election would not end with the large margin being discussed and would instead be closely contested, Sucuoğlu said UBP’s grassroots began to become active around two months before elections. He said that following this mobilisation, UBP had either emerged as the leading party in previous elections or finished second by a small margin, adding: “I see this mobilisation happening now as well.”

“SUPPLY CHAIN ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING DOWN”

Commenting on the transportation crisis following the Filo Jet disaster, Sucuoğlu said they had been working intensively for around 15 days to resolve the problem, but that finding a new route or vessel at short notice was not easy.

“For 15 days, we have been working day and night to figure out how we can solve this problem,” Sucuoğlu said. “But in the shipping business, finding a new route or a new vessel in one week, three days, 15 days or 20 days is almost impossible. Everything was tried; we saw everything.”

Describing the serious problems faced by TIR operators when he took office, Sucuoğlu said some companies had become subject to restrictions on issuing cheques, some people had lost their dealerships, and some dealerships had been terminated by the companies they represented in Turkey because products could not be brought to Cyprus.

Saying that some businesses were heading towards financial bankruptcy, Sucuoğlu highlighted the scale of the disaster, saying: “If only we could bring these lives back and sink all these ships. Look, let’s sink them all. But unfortunately, there is no such thing.”

Describing the situation as a “major disaster,” Sucuoğlu said it was nevertheless essential to maintain supplies, adding: “Fine, let’s cancel it, let the ships not come. But this is an island. Supplies come by ship.”

Sucuoğlu said the Karpaz and Yıldız vessels were currently handling transportation, adding: “Since Monday, the Karpaz and Yıldız vessels have brought 350 TIRs. Another 250 TIRs are waiting in Mersin and Taşucu.”

“INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING”

Sucuoğlu also commented on discussions surrounding the vessel and the Filo Jet company, saying the investigation was continuing and that any criminal wrongdoing would be uncovered if evidence of such wrongdoing was found.

“The investigation will continue, and if there is a culprit, they will be found,” Sucuoğlu said, adding that there was no ban concerning the company or vessel in question.

Sucuoğlu said: “They say, ‘We want to see whether the documents are complete.’ Those who have questions about this matter, please come. My undersecretary is waiting for them. He is ready to share the necessary documents with them. There is nothing hidden or secret here. I underline this.”

Sucuoğlu said the decisions had been implemented because there was no other option and despite knowing that they would provoke reactions.

“We had to do this because we had no other option and knew that we would face these reactions to a large extent,” he said. “Because, on the other hand, the supply chain is on the verge of breaking down.”

“I WAS ASHAMED OF THE PORTS”

Sucuoğlu also strongly criticised the current condition of the ports.

“First of all, let me say this: I found some ports that, I’m very sorry to say, made me ashamed,” Sucuoğlu said, specifically highlighting the condition of the Kyrenia and Famagusta ports.

“Kyrenia Port, Famagusta Port, especially Kyrenia Port… This cannot be,” Sucuoğlu said, also criticising the condition of the waiting area at the port.

“Those people are in a miserable state. The lights don’t work; it’s dark. We encountered so many deficiencies over these past two weeks,” Sucuoğlu said, pointing to the need to reassess conditions at the ports.