Turks must not be rewarded for opening controversial Cyprus bridge

The removal of a footbridge erected by Turkish forces within the UN-controlled buffer zone at the end of

Ledra Street

should not be seen as a retreat or concession on behalf of the Turkish side, neither should they be applauded as a gesture of goodwill, a senior government official said Tuesday.

Government spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis, said that the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point does not only depend on the removal of the footbridge, but rather on the creation of secure conditions for the smooth and safe free movement of all citizens.
The bridge was constructed to allow the unhindered movement of Turkish troops along the ‘green line’ that divides Nicosia.
The government of Cyprus has submitted to the UN the preconditions to open the

Ledra Street

crossing point, which include the withdrawal of all troops from the region, the restoration of adjacent buildings and the demining.

Pashiardis said that the dismantling work began “upon a decision taken by the Turkish military leadership and with the full compliance of the Turkish Cypriot leadership”.

Asked whether the government intends to demolish the wall in front of the National Guard observation post at

Ledra Street

, the spokesman said that “we are ready to discuss our proposals through the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to open the crossing point and enable more contacts between the two communities of Cyprus. There is no political expedience on our part”, he said.

The main goal for the opening of the

Ledra Street

crossing point, he added, is the secure movement of all citizens and the creation of a climate of mutual trust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Commenting on remarks by the Turkish press that Turkish Cypriot community leader Mehmet Ali Talat asserted his authority upon the Turkish military for the dismantling of the footbridge, Pashiardis recalled that the Turkish General Staff had issued an announcement in which it stated that “the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point falls within its exclusive competence and Talat is considered to be incompetent to decide and discuss the matter”.

Pashiardis questioned Talat’s freedom to make his own decisions, since “the first and last word regarding the Cyprus issue, belongs to Ankara and not to the Turkish Cypriot leadership”.