Cyprus-Forum.com

[Piratis]

Ledra deadlock drags on

UNFICYP slams Turkish side

as Cyprus makes new proposals

By Alex Efthyvoulos
THE UN Peace Force slammed the Turkish side yesterday for persisting in acting unilaterally through the construction of a bridge at the proposed new Ledra Street crossing point, a move that has resulted in a deadlock and the cancellation of the opening.

The strong UN criticism coincided with fresh proposals by the Cyprus government to break the deadlock that has blocks progress toward the opening of the crossing point. The government continues to want the opening of the crossing point to facilitate contacts between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and its proposals are designed to make this possible, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told his daily briefing.

A statement by UNFICYP said that the opening of the crossing point "pre-supposed the parties mutual agreement on a work plan and schedule and a joint commitment to proceed. Instead, the Turkish side opted to act pre-emptively to execute its project (the bridge building), and persists in acting unilaterally toward an objective that by definition must be bilateral.''

"UNFICYP must point out that, regrettably, unilateral initiatives are incompatible with the spirit of the confidence building-measures that have driven the carefully coordinated effort since April 2003 to promote and ensure the opening of crossing points on the island.''

I hope this clears things up.

[zan]

I understand what the article means Piratis but it does fall short of what was being said before which was that the Turks were encroaching on the buffer zone. The UN also said that the Turks were not encroaching on the buffer zone ergo can build what they like on their side. I do concede however that an agreement from both sides first would have been better.

[Sotos]

According to Phileleftheros newspaper Ledras street will not open. President Papadopoluos said: "It is unacceptable a crossing that has as an aim to restore the trust and cooperation between the two sides, to pass through military forces and a border station". He said that the cost of accepting a border station in Ledras is too big and we are not going to accept it. - I hope my translation is accurate

[Crash]

Its a shame really, would of been nice for more movement

[RAFAELLA]

Turkish Cypriot traders want overhead bridge be removed and Ledra Crossing be opened

Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (13.12.05) reports under banner headlines that traders and artisans warned the occupation regime that unless something is done for the opening of the Ledra Street crossing they will keep their shops’ shutters closed up on Friday.

The Chairman of the Chamber of the Turkish Cypriot Traders and Artisans, Hurrem Tulga told the Chamber members and Arasta traders and artisans and Turkish Cypriot traders from the other parts of the occupied Nicosia that the bridge built at the Ledra Street crossing should be removed immediately.

Pointing out that the biggest isolation has been experienced around the Ledra Street region, Tulga said that those who want to remove the isolations are themselves creating the major isolation at the Ledra street crossing.

Tulga told the gathering that it is important that traders and artisans should act together and be unified.

Mr. Tulga further said that there was no need for an overhead bridge at the Ledra Street and that it should be removed. He also urged that Ledra Street should be extended from north to south and the street should be paned for the pedestrians, thus people should visit the area without bridges or barricades. He stressed that the traders want the opening of the Ledra Street and not an overhead bridge.

Meanwhile, the self-styled Mayor of the occupied Nicosia Kutlay Erk, in an exclusive statement to HALKIN SESI said that the Greek Cypriot side had conveyed to the Turkish side its proposals as regards the Ledra Street crossing.

http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/A ... enDocument
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Mr. Erk added that soon negotiations could start under the auspices of the UN. He said that the Turkish side was ready for negotiations.

As always; Turks perform an illegality and instead of restoring legality they want negotiations. Same old turkish tactic.
...and what do they ask in exchange for dissapearing the bridge? From what I read in the press, the removal of all photographs and posters, at Ledra Pallas & Ledra street, showing the brutality of the turkish army during the 1974 invasion and Solomou's-Isaak's murders.

[zan]

and what do they ask in exchange for dissapearing the bridge? From what I read in the press, the removal of all photographs and posters, at Ledra Pallas & Ledra street, showing the brutality of the turkish army during the 1974 invasion and Solomou's-Isaak's murders.

Or they could include all the pictures of all the Turks that were butchered and raped and those pictures of TCs driven out of thier homes into inhumane camps and living conditions. Fares fair.