Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Protesters hand out chocolate bars at checkpoint
By Jacqueline Theodoulou
TURKISH CYPRIOTS yesterday voiced their disapproval of the north’s recent shopping clampdown by turning up at the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint laden with goods.

Symbolically handing out chocolate bars to the waiting press and bystanders, they marched towards Turkish Cypriot customs and proudly presented their goods.

Oddly, where on previous occasions chairs and chocolates were taken and fines were handed out, they were met with no opposition by the authorities yesterday.

“They have been ordered beforehand to offer no reaction,” one Turkish Cypriot man told the Mail, referring to the customs officers.

In an incident earlier in the week, a Turkish Cypriot customs officer grabbed a chocolate bar from a two-year-old’s hands and threw it to the ground. The same protester said: “I was here and I saw with my own eyes what they did. They took the baby’s chocolate and threw it away. What can I say to that?”

“This is your right and nobody can take it away from you,” demonstrators yelled, as they handed chocolates to random people and explained that it was well within their rights to purchase items from free areas, as long as they don’t exceed €135.

Showing their sense of humour, the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union, turned up a little while later also bring symbolic products, such as shackles and chains.

The union’s general secretary, Sener Elcil explained the peaceful demonstration was being held to protest the Turkish Cypriot authorities’ clampdown on purchases from the south and was prompted by the recent chocolate bar incident.

As the protesters started to disperse, a Turkish Cypriot customs officer was seen confiscating a carton of yoghurt from a woman who was driving to the north.

But this is part of the north’s action to prevent foot and mouth from being transported to the north.

Upon arrival at the checkpoint, motorists and pedestrians are made to use the special decontamination strips.

The demonstration ended a little over an hour later with no real incidents, though there were a few raised tempers when clearly disgruntled motorists practically forced their way through the crowd to go through the checkpoint.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007

[boomerang]

Do the authorities in the Nth get paid extra for making fools of themselves? or is it a pre-requisite?...and you blame Pap for not wanting to talk to them...He knows they are only beat him up with their stupitiness

I don't think Ankara would have agreed with these clowns...Either way you are continously ridiculing your motherland... and this can't be that bad

[zan]

Do the authorities in the Nth get paid extra for making fools of themselves? or is it a pre-requisite?...and you blame Pap for not wanting to talk to them...He knows they are only beat him up with their stupitiness

I don't think Ankara would have agreed with these clowns...Either way you are continously ridiculing your motherland... and this can't be that bad

What happened was an individual made a mistake or was over zealous in his job and you guys jumped at the chance to win points. I am not saying that there are no problems with this but we have put it right. Now would you like me to make a list of the wrongs made by the "RoC" administration and how you guys have dealt with them.....The money laundering fiasco being one of them and Tpaps' illegal earnings perhaps..... All you gotta do is ask.

[observer]

Protesters hand out chocolate bars at checkpoint
By Jacqueline Theodoulou

The whole thing is a farce and it is wonderful that it should be dealt with in such a humorous way. If we are point scoring (and I'm not starting, just reacting to boomerang) then I had 3 potatoes left over in the back of my car confiscated by the GC customs a little while back. Foolishness of officials, in my experience, is an international phenomena.

[boomerang]

Point scoring?...by stating the obvious? ... ha!

You would rather I cry?...I leave that up to zan

[zan]

Protesters hand out chocolate bars at checkpoint
By Jacqueline Theodoulou

The whole thing is a farce and it is wonderful that it should be dealt with in such a humorous way. If we are point scoring (and I'm not starting, just reacting to boomerang) then I had 3 potatoes left over in the back of my car confiscated by the GC customs a little while back. Foolishness of officials, in my experience, is an international phenomena.

[Get Real!]

Protesters hand out chocolate bars at checkpoint
By Jacqueline Theodoulou

The whole thing is a farce and it is wonderful that it should be dealt with in such a humorous way. If we are point scoring (and I'm not starting, just reacting to boomerang) then I had 3 potatoes left over in the back of my car confiscated by the GC customs a little while back. Foolishness of officials, in my experience, is an international phenomena.

Why aren't you in bed yet?

[zan]

Protesters hand out chocolate bars at checkpoint
By Jacqueline Theodoulou

The whole thing is a farce and it is wonderful that it should be dealt with in such a humorous way. If we are point scoring (and I'm not starting, just reacting to boomerang) then I had 3 potatoes left over in the back of my car confiscated by the GC customs a little while back. Foolishness of officials, in my experience, is an international phenomena.

Why aren't you in bed yet?

I am....I am multi tasking