Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Special aides of the Talat and the Dimitris Christofias have held an inspection tour at the site of the Yesilirmak crossing point.

Ozdil Nami and Yorgos Yakovu visited the region as part of the preparatory works for the official opening of Yesilirmak which will be the 9th crossing point.

The UN Special Representative to Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun accompanied them during the inspection tour.

The two aides met at the buffer zone in Nicosia yesterday morning and departed to the region in the same vehicle accompanied by Mr. Zerihoun.
Mr. Nami. Mr. Yakovu and Mr. Zerihoun’s first stop was Yesilirmak village where the villagers who are opposing the opening of the gate put up flags and placards to the entrance of the village.

The most noteworthy placard was the one reading “the gate would not be open before the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
The two aides and Mr. Zerihoun who were welcomed by the mukhtar of Yesilirmak Goksel Kabaran had a coffee at a tourist resort and chatted with the villagers. There, Mukhtar Kabaran, Mr. Zerihoun and the two aides delivered short speeches.

Speaking first, Mr. Kabaran thanked the two sides and the United Nations for their support in the efforts launched for the opening of the gate.
Mr. Zerihoun for his part said this is the beginning phase of a long process and added that throughout this process there is a need for opening new gates and brining the two peoples together.
He also expressed the hope that opening more gates and bringing the two peoples closer will contribute to the peace efforts carried out by the two leaders.

Also speaking Mr. Yakovu explained the benefits of the opening of the gate and he said the villagers of Pirgo could reach to the General Hospital in South Nicosia in one hour.

Finally speaking, Mr. Nami said opening the Yesilirmak Gate and providing crossing to Erenkoy village is an important step achieved as a result of the agreement reached by the two leaders.

He added that within the framework of the negotiations process being carried out by Mr. Talat and Mr. Christofias significant steps have been taken in finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem as well as the issues concerning the daily matters.

Mr. Nami also explained that the process for upgrading the road has started but said the opening of the Yesilirmak Gate will take some time as the condition of the current road is unsuitable.

He stressed that the TRNC is supporting the implementation of the confidence building measures as the efforts for a comprehensive solution continues.

Following the speeches the villagers directed questions to Mr. Nami and Mr. Yakovu.

A villager said to Mr. Nami that they collected 160 signatures opposing the opening of the gate and demanded the withdrawal of the decision.

Mr. Nami responded to the villager by saying that the government has made its decision and this gate will be opened also reminded that the people of Yesilirmak evaluated the issue and reached this decision.

The two aides and Mr. Zerihoun then paid a visit to the Pirgo village.

[roseandchan]

i find this very sad that the people in that village are opposing the opening.
it would benefit them in a big way, why can't they see it?

[YFred]

i find this very sad that the people in that village are opposing the opening.
it would benefit them in a big way, why can't they see it?

From what I know of them, I wouldn't be surprised if they block it in some other way.

[roseandchan]

does this village have a large turkish population or is it a tc village?

i was just thinking that the tc's would benefit more from its opening than those of turkish mainland origin.

[YFred]

does this village have a large turkish population or is it a tc village?

i was just thinking that the tc's would benefit more from its opening than those of turkish mainland origin.

They are a very patriotic TC village. The ones that moved to London are even more anti-GC. Limnidi was a TC village before 1974.
There is one difference between this village and the rest of TCs. Whilst the TCs in general are approx 90% university graduates, the Limnidi residents tend to be 10% university graduates.
They do have one other thing in common with GR and some other GC forumers. There attitude to drinking is "only real man can handle their drink".

[kafenes]

Two weeks ago, while on a visit to Kato Pyrgos, spoke to the locals who weren't very keen either at the opening of the crossing.

[YFred]

Two weeks ago, while on a visit to Kato Pyrgos, spoke to the locals who weren't very keen either at the opening of the crossing.

Do they have any similarity to the Limnidi residents in their attitude to life in general.

I was reading somewhere that the Limnidi settlement has existed since the Neanderthal times. So I guess they are even more Cypriot than GR.

[halil]

Yakovu said it is possible that in 4 months time UN can complete the road with these new technologies .

The Pirgos Muhtar said :latest Erenköy triped showed that road can be use. with minor repairs road can be opened.

Yakovu said Road is to narrow ... needs repair and have to be make it 6-7 meters large .

Pirgos Muhtar said While they repair the road at same time new road building might start at same time......

http://www.yeniduzen.com/template.asp?a ... 0&zoneid=3

[shahmaran]

I am actually surprised to read this as the local businesses in that area all seem to think otherwise since they have all spent a LOT of money in the recent months in order to upgrade all their businesses as if they are expecting a LOT more customers to come.

Plus judging by their new and incredibly ridiculous price tags with Euro equivalents next to each price, I would say they are expecting huge number of foreigners to flood the area as it is pretty hard for the locals to pay such prices.

Considering the fact that this area was never THAT popular to anyone but the locals and the nearby villages, what could all this be for if not for the opening of the border?

[EPSILON]

[quote=".
There is one difference between this village and the rest of TCs. Whilst the TCs in general are approx 90% university graduates, the Limnidi residents tend to be 10% university graduates.
.

This is sign that something is growing in the area and the product is transported through the sea way.Maybe this is the reason they do not like the opening.