Cyprus-Forum.com

[LANDJO]

I am trying to understand the Ledra street controversy. Is the GC authorities using the bridge as an excuse not to open the crossing and prevent contact between the communities? Did the TCs build the bridge as a deliberate provocation? Why does the road have to be maintained? Do GCs consider these reasons to be legitimate?

[Piratis]

The TCs wanted to open this crossing because it was serving their interests. Just the announcement that this crossing would open had a major impact on the demand of stolen Greek Cypriot land in the occupied Cyprus. If this was not enough for them, they also build a bridge that would give the 40.000 strong occupation army an even greater advantage in case the cease fire ends and the war restarted.

Greek Cypriots, apart from making it easier for them to visit as tourists their own homes and villages and leave their money in the occupied areas, had nothing more to gain from the opening of this crossing.

The opening of the crossings has already served its purpose: It has shown that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can coexist. No major conflicts started out even if the injustice of the Turkish occupation still continues.

Now what we need is not opening of more crossings, were people would have to show their passports in order to go to their own homeland as if they were visiting a foreign country (what the foreign invaders want). Now we have to move to the next step, and gradually return things to legality with respect to people's human and democratic rights.

[LANDJO]

Piratis, that is your opinion - to which you are of course entitled.

But my humble understanding, which I am sure you will correct should I err, is that the government (GC) supports the opening of the Ledra street and the increased interaction between the communities.

For me, as an outsider, I see no other way, in fact. Only increased interaction can soften both fronts enough to pave the way for a solution.

And in fact, I have the impression that the merchants in the South stand to profit more from the opening than those in the north. TCs are much more likely to cross to the south to purchase goods not available, be it becuase of the size of the market or economic restrictions, in the north. In fact, I know of no one who has not crossed (who is allowed to). An amazing number of GCs, though, have not visited the northern part of their hometown.

[Piratis]

But my humble understanding, which I am sure you will correct should I err, is that the government (GC) supports the opening of the Ledra street and the increased interaction between the communities.

Yes this is correct. The government supports the opening for the reasons you said. Unfortunately such opening would also bring the problems I mentioned above (which is what Turkey was aiming for) that I mentioned above.

For me, as an outsider, I see no other way, in fact. Only increased interaction can soften both fronts enough to pave the way for a solution.

Personally I disagree. Interaction is only one of the components needed for a solution. The other major requirement for a solution is an understanding that no side can gain on the loss of democracy and the violation of the human rights of others.
This understanding does not come from interaction. Human greediness is not voluntarily abandoned. (otherwise societies would not have such a big contrast between rich and poor). This understanding comes when you realize that your greediness actually makes you worst off than better off as you hoped it will.

And in fact, I have the impression that the merchants in the South stand to profit more from the opening than those in the north. TCs are much more likely to cross to the south to purchase goods not available, be it because of the size of the market or economic restrictions, in the north. In fact, I know of no one who has not crossed (who is allowed to).

This is a wrong impression. The opening of the gates had a major positive impact on the standard of living of Turkish Cypriots while it had no effect (probably a negative one from a financial perspective) on Greek Cypriots.

An amazing number of GCs, though, have not visited the northern part of their hometown

I am from Limassol. If part of my town was illegally occupied and I had to show a passport to visit as tourist my own home I wouldn't do it either. Not to mention that entering the occupied areas you enter a land that laws can not be enforced and we would be on the mercy of the occupation army. (which is why the occupied areas are full with fugitives from justice)