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Symbolic Cyprus crossing closed Symbolic Cyprus crossing reopens
(about 3 hours later)
Greek Cypriots have closed a major crossing in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia, hours after it opened for the first time in decades. Greek and Turkish Cypriots have reopened a major crossing in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia.
Ledra Street, which was split during an outbreak of violence in 1964, became a symbol of the island's partition. Ledra Street, which had come to symbolise the partition of the island, was declared open by local officials.
But the crossing was closed again on Thursday evening following a dispute on how the street should be policed. It was then closed again for a couple of hours by the Greek Cypriots, after what they called an illegal Turkish Cypriot police patrol.
A Greek Cypriot government spokesman said Turkish Cypriot police had illegally entered the UN buffer zone. The crossing was finally re-opened later on Thursday evening after mediation by UN officials.
"We have been very clear that violations cannot be tolerated," Stefanos Stefanou told the Associated Press news agency. Protesters had gathered on both sides of the barrier, chanting "Cyprus belongs to its people", after the street had been closed again.
A UN spokesperson told Reuters that they were trying to determine exactly what happened. "After consultations with the UN, we have been given assurances that this will not happen again," Kypros Michailidis, Nicosia's Greek Cypriot police chief, told the Associated Press news agency.
Ledra Street was divided in 1964, during a flare in violence between the ethnic Greek and Turkish communities.Ledra Street was divided in 1964, during a flare in violence between the ethnic Greek and Turkish communities.
New Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had agreed to reopen the busy shopping street last month.New Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had agreed to reopen the busy shopping street last month.
Map of Nicosia Map of Nicosia
The two leaders have also agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island. This is the first step. We hope many more will follow Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou Symbolic wall comes downThe two leaders have also agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island. This is the first step. We hope many more will follow Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou Symbolic wall comes down
Earlier, as the street reopened, an aide to Mr Talat, Osdil Nami said: "We are living a historic day today. We are witnessing one of the obstacles to a solution come down."Earlier, as the street reopened, an aide to Mr Talat, Osdil Nami said: "We are living a historic day today. We are witnessing one of the obstacles to a solution come down."
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also welcomed the reopening, saying it showed that the two sides were "ready to put aside the difficulties of the past".EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also welcomed the reopening, saying it showed that the two sides were "ready to put aside the difficulties of the past".
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey deployed troops after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey deployed troops after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.
Ledra Street had been at the centre of the island's leading shopping district before it was blocked in the middle, with military posts either side of the dividing line.Ledra Street had been at the centre of the island's leading shopping district before it was blocked in the middle, with military posts either side of the dividing line.
Cyprus' government demolished a wall and military checkpoint on Ledra Street last year.Cyprus' government demolished a wall and military checkpoint on Ledra Street last year.
But plans to reopen the street were rejected by President Christofias' predecessor, Tassos Papadopoulos.But plans to reopen the street were rejected by President Christofias' predecessor, Tassos Papadopoulos.
"We still have a long way to go," said the mayor of Nicosia, Eleni Mavrou. "This is the first step. We hope many more will follow.""We still have a long way to go," said the mayor of Nicosia, Eleni Mavrou. "This is the first step. We hope many more will follow."
Are you in Nicosia? Have you been on Ledra Street? How significant a step is this in the push for reunification? And how do you react to the closure only hours after the crossing was opened? Send us your comments using the form below. Are you in Nicosia? Have you been on Ledra Street? How significant a step is this in the push for reunification? Send us your comments using the form below.
Your comments:Your comments:
It has been a long time coming! There used to be a day when all of us in Cyprus were brothers, and hopefully that day will return again soon.Mehmet Brinjikji, Nicosia, CyprusIt has been a long time coming! There used to be a day when all of us in Cyprus were brothers, and hopefully that day will return again soon.Mehmet Brinjikji, Nicosia, Cyprus
What the Greeks are doing is giving forgiveness to the Turkish occupiers.Nicolas Makrides, NicosiaWhat the Greeks are doing is giving forgiveness to the Turkish occupiers.Nicolas Makrides, Nicosia
I am an American Cypriot. This is a very big step forward. When you used to walk at Ledras you would see barbed wire and soldiers with machine guns. It was very frightening. We always had to be careful not to make a mistake and cross the green line (imaginary). Many people had made the mistake of crossing (without realising it) and then having to go through the hassle of explaining it was a mistake. I can't wait to see Ledras when I go in June.Christine Skoumbris, Lakewood, Ohio USAI am an American Cypriot. This is a very big step forward. When you used to walk at Ledras you would see barbed wire and soldiers with machine guns. It was very frightening. We always had to be careful not to make a mistake and cross the green line (imaginary). Many people had made the mistake of crossing (without realising it) and then having to go through the hassle of explaining it was a mistake. I can't wait to see Ledras when I go in June.Christine Skoumbris, Lakewood, Ohio USA
Having spent three years as a former member of HM Forces in Cyprus, I think that this is the best news for some considerable time. The only divisive area now will be reclamation of land lost during the war. This will need to be handled with kid gloves. John Davidson, Cleckheaton, West YorkshireHaving spent three years as a former member of HM Forces in Cyprus, I think that this is the best news for some considerable time. The only divisive area now will be reclamation of land lost during the war. This will need to be handled with kid gloves. John Davidson, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
The atmosphere in Cyprus has become much more positive towards finding a solution since the new president was elected. For efforts to succeed it will need grassroots support from the people on both sides of the island. Today's event is a very symbolic example of how that can be developed. There is still a long way to go, but compared to the negativity and hostility which prevailed just a few weeks ago, it's a very big step in the right direction!Martin Standage, Paphos, CyprusThe atmosphere in Cyprus has become much more positive towards finding a solution since the new president was elected. For efforts to succeed it will need grassroots support from the people on both sides of the island. Today's event is a very symbolic example of how that can be developed. There is still a long way to go, but compared to the negativity and hostility which prevailed just a few weeks ago, it's a very big step in the right direction!Martin Standage, Paphos, Cyprus
This "opening" means absolutely nothing. It is a "firework" which destructs attention of public opinion in Cyprus and abroad from the real cause of the division of Cyprus which is nothing else than the continuous presence of Turkish troops. Konstantinos Koudounas, Nicosia, Cyprus This "opening" means absolutely nothing. It is a "firework" which destructs attention of public opinion in Cyprus and abroad from the real cause of the division of Cyprus which is nothing else than the continuous presence of Turkish troops. Konstantinos Koudounas, Nicosia, Cyprus
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