Greek Cypriots reject new crossing point to the north

The Republic of Cyprus government has withdrawn its consent to open a new crossing in downtown Nicosia at Ledra street after accusations that the Turkish army is encroaching on the demarcation zone.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told the Cyprus News Agency on Monday night that the government “has withdrawn its consent to open the Ledra Street checkpoint because with its machinations, the Turkish occupation forces have essentially advanced beyond the 1974 ceasefire line”.

The new crossing would have been the first to reunite downtown Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe.

The first crossing was opened by the Turkish Cypriots in April 2003, allowing Greek and Turkish Cypriots to mingle freely for the first time in decades, although around half of Greek Cypriots have never crossed to the north, because of the requirement that they show I.D.

As the Repbulic of Cyprus is the internationally recognised government of the whole island, the I.D. requirement is resented.

Thousands of Turkish Cypriots cross south each day, however, to work or to shop.

Other crossing points opened by Turkish Cypriots since 2003 are less central than the one now withdrawn. The nearest is the first checkpoint opened just west of the old Venetion walls at Ledra Palace and about 10 minutes’ walk in the hot summer sun from the town centres on each side.

The Spokesman said all necessary contacts and representations were made to the United Nations, the UN Peace Keeping Forces in Cyprus and in New York through the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus.

He also said that Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Sotos Zackheos met this afternoon with the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council whom he informed about the actions of the occupation force.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.