Cyprus protests arrival of US Congressmen in the north

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Motives unclear

Reports of a second US visit to northern Cyprus via its ports have prompted more protests by the Greek Cypriot side as US Congressmen are reportedly preparing fly to Cyprus through the northern Turkish occupied areas.

Northern Cyprus has been declared an illegal point of entry by the Republic of Cyprus govermnent, which says that entry into the territory via those ports is contrary to Security Council resolution 550 which calls on all states not to recognise any other state on the island other than the Republic of Cyprus.

Earlier this year, a US diplomat based in Turkey accompanied US business to northern Cyprus on a business trip, arriving at Ercan (Tymbou) airport.

However, US officials insist that there is nothing in US law to prevent the arrival of American citizens at ports in northern Cyprus.

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said that in the past month the government had made all possible representations to the US with regard to the proposed visit.

While some Greek Cypriots fear that this implies the first steps towards recognition of the Turkish Repbulic of Northern Cyprus, which does not enjoy international recognition, others see the move as a way of signalling displeasure with the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot) leadership, which has blocked EU attempts to open up northern Cyprus for exports of goods and services.