Why won’t the north let pilgrims cross?
By Jacqueline Theodoulou
Iacovou walks out of meeting over Limnitis crossing impasse
PRESIDENTIAL Commissioner George Iacovou yesterday walked out of his scheduled meeting with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart after being informed of the north’s decision to reject a request by Kato Pyrgos residents to go on an organised pilgrimage via the Limnitis checkpoint.
The request for easy access to the church of Saint Mamas, in occupied Morphou, came as President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat prepare to begin full-fledged negotiations in early September.
Iacovou visited Talat’s adviser Ozdil Nami at the Ledra Palace Hotel yesterday for a meeting to discuss the specific checkpoint, among other issues. He left after he was informed of the Turkish Cypriot side’s decision by the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun just before the meeting.
The Presidential Commissioner said he deemed it necessary to cut the scheduled talks short and rush back to the Presidential Palace to inform President Christofias on the latest development.
“I arrived at Ledra Palace at 3pm and after the initial compliments, Mr Zerihoun informed me that he had received a letter from the Turkish Cypriots informing him that they would deny entry to the Kato Pyrgos residents for an organised pilgrimage through the Limnitis road,” Iacovou told reporters at the Presidential Palace.
“This, of course, is very sad news, it is truly a small-hearted and provocative decision,” he pointed out. “In view of this, I made the decision that I couldn’t go ahead with my scheduled meeting with Mr Nami.”
The Limnitis crossing in the far west of the island is proving to be something of a sticking point for both sides: Turkish Cypriots have been allowed to cross south for two years now but the north refuses to open their side, citing ‘technical issues’.
In early August, over 1,000 Turkish Cypriots in 58 buses crossed through Limnitis to the former Kokkina enclave to mark the anniversary of what they term a victory over Greek Cypriots in 1964, when Turkey carried out an aerial bombardment of the area.
Some 300 Greek Cypriots from Kato Pyrgos staged a peaceful protest at the same time. The residents had planned to block the road but were talked out of it by the government and the Church in the longer term interests of having the Limnitis crossing opened permanently.
For the past 45 years, residents in the area of Limnitis have to travel to Nicosia via Paphos and Limassol. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter.
Iacovou said he had made an extensive statement over the reasons that led to his decision, before walking out. He added that Zerihoun had expressed his desire to meet Iacovou in person and discuss the developments.
“I responded that I was definitely willing [to meet] whenever he wanted to discuss these issues, which not only are a result of today’s meeting but also the many others that preceded this one, regarding the opening of the Limnitis checkpoint,” Iacovou explained.
According to the Commissioner, Nami was present during his departure.
“Mr Nami was there when I arrived. And indeed we started a preliminary discussion, but I think Mr Nami felt the need to inform me of this development, so he interrupted and told me about it,” said Iacovou.
He added that Nami had not offered any reasons for the Turkish Cypriots’ rejection of the Kato Pyrgos residents’ request. “But he did express the hope that this would not affect the talks that will begin on September 3.”
Iacovou said he didn’t feel this was a bad omen in view of the beginning of direct talks between the two community leaders.
“We must stay calm; I was completely calm. I state the reasons why I couldn’t continue discussions. I think it was a calm and correct decision. When they are ready to truly talk, then we will see what to do.”
He said he had informed President Christofias on the events at Ledra Palace, who applauded his decision to leave, “because it is not possible for negotiations to be taking place under such shadows and provocative actions”.
According to Iacovou, a series of issues put forward by Nami over the Limnitis checkpoint were meant to be discussed during yesterday’s meeting.
“For two days I had been preparing to comment, discuss and negotiate these issues,” he concluded.
In the last five years, several crossing points to and from the island’s northern areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people from both sides.
At their meeting, in late July, the two community leaders decided to instruct their representatives to take up the issue of Limnitis/Yesilirmak and other crossings.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008
I say close all crossings until a final solution has been reached!
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