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TRNC launches one-sided initiative towards reunification of divided Cyprus |
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Sunday, 27 November 2005* Turkish Cypriots start opening road linking Cypriot communities
Lefkosa - TRNC authorities, in an effort to encourage the reunification of divided Cyprus, start work to reopen street that bisected Lefkosa's main shopping district for decades
The effort is seen as a one-sided initiative towards reunification since the Greek Cypriot administration rules out opening the other part of the street
Turkish Cypriot authorities, in an effort to encourage the reunification of divided Cyprus, started work yesterday to reopen Ledras Street, which bisected Lefkosa's main shopping district for decades.
The effort launched by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is considered as a one-sided initiative towards the reunification since the Greek Cypriot administration rules out opening the other part of the street.
"We want to reunite our country. This country is big enough for Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots," Turkish Cypriot Deputy Mayor Semavi Asik said by expressing his confidence that the project to open Lefkosa's Ledras Street would be finished by Christmas.
The Greek Cypriot mayor of Nicosia, Michalis Zambelas cautiously welcomed the development and said, "We're waiting for the green light from the United Nations, which has some doubts concerning security."
Those concerns included boobytraps and mines laid since 1974.
UN spokesperson Brian Kelly, in an attempt to ease the concerns, said Thursday peacekeepers would check the area Friday for explosive devices as "a precaution."
Ledras Street was first closed over 40 years ago following inter-communal strife. A wall replaced barbed wire after 1974.
There are currently four access points between the two countries. The first opened was in April 2003 by the TRNC.
An 860-strong UN force patrols the island's 300-kilometer buffer zone, which separates the two communities.
The New Anatolian with AP
27 Nov. 2005 |
Sunday, 27 November 2005
Turkish Cyprus
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