Talat’s regime is replacing the barbed wire with a wall along the line Turkish troops keep Lefkosia divided for 31 years
Under the title “Here is our new wall” and subtitle “From Ledra to Dereboyu the Turkish side is erecting a new wall on the border”, Turkish Cypriot Afrika newspaper (18/07/05) reports the following:
“Afrika (special) – At a time when the walls are being demolished in the world, a new wall is being erected in the centre of Lefkosia. While for a period of 31 years from the year 1974 to today the Command of the Security Forces did not feel the need to build a wall, in the last days a wall more than two metres high has started to be built. According to information obtained by our paper, the wall, which will extend to a few kilometers, has started in the area which is under the control of the 3rd Battalion and is being constructed with yellow stone.
Although Cyprus has become an EU member and the efforts for a solution are being speeded up, the erecting of such a wall partitioning Lefkosia, by the Security Forces Command, has drawn reaction from our citizens against Kutlay Erk, who sat on the chair of the mayor with the slogan “Open Lefkosia” and the RTP (Republican Turkish Party) who came to power with the slogan “Peace and solution in Cyprus”, and who remain silent on this issue.
The wall started to be built at Dereboyu a short distance ahead of the British High Commission, from the Ledra Turkish Gateway and the thought is to erect it up to Ayios Dhometios check-point. The leader of the P.D.M (Peace and Democracy Movement) Akinci asked the following question on the issue: “Work has started on the borders under the name of new outlook. During the last days at some points high walls are being erected in the framework of the works going on. Is “Open Lefkosia” being turned into “Close Nicosia?”
Mr Mustafa Akinci also said that both the Police Law and the Security Forces Law as well as these arrangements on the borders are new knots to the solution and consolidate the status guo instead of abolishing it”.
Our compatriots are incredible, they never stop showing their goodwill to us. Your new effort towards reunification is realy appreciated.