Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-04-25

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cyprus-mail.com/>

Friday, April 25, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Crossing chaos at check-point

[02] Was Denktash's hand pushed?

[03] Turkish Cypriots line up for passports

[04] North set to expand operations

[05] Recriminations and doubt dominate Greek press

[06] Government considers screening Beijing arrivals for SARS

[07] News in brief

[01] Crossing chaos at check-point

MORE than 7,000 Cypriots from either side of the Green Line endured hours of waiting to cross the island's divide for a second day running yesterday, following the opening of two Green Line check-points on Monday by the Turkish Cypriot said.

The easing of border restrictions came just a week after the Greek Cypriots signed the European Union accession treaty, paving the way for EU membership next year.

It is estimated that ---- Turkish Cypriots ---- Greek Cypriots crossed the Ledra Palace and Pergamos checkpoints between 7 am and midnight yesterday, leading to long delays.

Speaking to foreign journalists yesterday afternoon, government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides said the government was working hard to ensure that the crossing for Turkish Cypriots was as smooth as possible.

“The formalities required by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus for Turkish Cypriots to cross over are kept to the minimum and we are doing whatever is necessary to facilitate the crossing of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots”.

He added that while Greek Cypriot police were being “very helpful” towards Turkish Cypriots the “law is the law and customs legislation… will be applied in case of contraventions. And this of course applies to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.”

A customs checkpoint was set up outside the court house at the Ledra Palace, with police carried out checks on incoming vehicles for alcohol and tobacco.

Asked if Turkish Cypriots would be allowed to bring over their cars in future, the spokesman said that there were no such plans at present.

“Until further notice no cars entering from the occupied zone can cross over. This is for reasons pertaining to insurance, safety and the non- registration of cars with the Republic of Cyprus' authorities.”

He added that instead the government would provide free buses to transport Turkish Cypriots to areas beyond the checkpoints.

Chrysostomides revealed that a package of measures for Turkish Cypriots would be announced by the government in the next few days. The measures are likely to include provision for Turkish Cypriots to work in the free areas.

He warned that while the government welcomed any lifting of restrictions by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, such moves could not provide a substitute for the reunification of the island.

“We consider that this is not the solution to the Cyprus problem -- there is a long way ahead until we reach a viable, workable solution for the benefit of all Cypriots within the European Union.

“What we expect from Mr. Denktash and the Turkish side generally is a change of attitude and policy so a workable solution can be achieved… In any event, we believe that pressure both on the part of Turkish Cypriots and the international community, and the EU will be increased by these happenings, hopefully leading to a change of heart on the Turkish side.”

He reiterated that the government resented the Turkish side's insistence that Cypriots entering the north show their passports.

“We consider the demand to show passports an illegal one -- we demand freedom of movement throughout the country without any extra formalities which would attempt to show the existence of two different countries.”

The Mayors of the occupied towns of Kyrenia, Lapithos and Karava yesterday said that Greek Cypriots crossing over to the north and showing their passports to Turkish Cypriot police were acknowledging the occupying forces.

“We are giving the impression that we are willing to visit our homes like tourists,” Kyrenia Mayor Constantinos Rologas warned.

Members of the international community yesterday continued to welcome the crossings.

Speaking after being received by President of the Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, European Parliament Rapporteur on Cyprus' accession to the European Union Jacques Poos said the developments were promising.

“(This) is something we have asked for and hoped for and worked for since long decades. If a wall falls, if people can travel freely from one side to another, it is an enjoyable moment in the history of a divided country.”

“I think it is a good omen that the Cyprus problem will be solved soon and it will be done by the people. They have to show to their leaders, and I have in mind especially Mr. (Rauf) Denktash, that he has to proceed,” he added.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States supported “genuine measures that have the potential to increase contact and understanding between the two communities and thus improve the atmosphere in which to create a just and durable settlement.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[02] Was Denktash's hand pushed?

THE TURKISH Cypriot leadership wants an engagement but not a wedding. The Greek Cypriot side wants a wedding, not an engagement. While this battle is being fought on a political level, ordinary Greek and Turkish Cypriots are eloping.

For 29 years international mediators have been saying the Cyprus problem could be solved if only the political will existed. It's still a long way from being solved but what happened this week shows just how much a smattering of political will can achieve.

All it took in the end from the Turkish Cypriot side was to announce that it would open up a checkpoint it had kept firmly shut for decades.

The big question on everybody's lips is why now?

Answers are most likely related to the collective finger being pointed at Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for rejecting the UN plan, internal unrest from impoverished Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus' EU accession, Denktash's last-ditch grab at legitimacy and elections in the north later this year.

Denktash appears to have has distanced himself from the whole business and is not making any public statements, which has given rise to speculation that he was pressured from some quarters -- particularly Ankara -- to lift the ban on crossing.

Surprised and delighted diplomats and analysts say it's difficult to say what has brought it on but they also sound a note of caution on the possible pitfalls when the honeymoon is over.

“This was a great PR step that is going to be reported internationally,” said political analyst James Ker-Lindsay. “It's also interesting that the main spokesman for all this has been Serdar Denktash.”

Ker-Lindsay said one of the reasons for the measures was likely connected to the dissatisfaction Turkish Cypriots have been feeling in recent months.

“You have to ask if there is an element of relieving the pressure valve that has been building up in the Turkish Cypriot community against the regime over the past few months and especially with an eye on the elections later in the year,” he said.

He also agreed that some circles would be keeping a close eye on the move in terms of it being a 'test case' for a solution.

“At the moment it seems to be all smiles but once the novelty wears off what happens if there is an incident? This will be the real test as to how far this thing goes,” Ker-Lindsay said.

However he believes it would take something very serious to put people off.

“There was a lot of goodwill yesterday and a lot of Turkish Cypriots were surprised to see how easily they could mingle with the Greek Cypriots and there were no problems and a lot of Greek Cypriots were also surprised at the friendliness they encountered.”

One diplomat repeated Denktash junior's assertion that the move was not a bid for recognition but an attempt to see if the two sides can learn to trust each other and live together.

“Is it an attempt to marginalise (the international community) and say 'we can go it alone'? Suddenly you repossess the negotiations under which your room to manoeuvre is restricted by Security Council resolutions,” the diplomat said adding the UN plan was not an effort to sell a bill of goods to people. “The effort is to try and best represent the interests of the people,” he said. “I believe there are all kinds of political agendas in play here.”

Commenting on the possibly of it all ending in tears if any incidents occur that give Denktash the chance to say the two sides cannot live together, the diplomat said: “If Cyprus isn't old enough, wise enough or mature enough at this point in time to recognise that you will always have a hothead, there will always be an incident. It isn't that you go out to embrace it. It isn't that you welcome it, but clearly you have to be able to live through that and deal with it and cope with it and move forward and if you haven't learned from the past than surely that is one of the basic lessons.”

Greek Cypriot analyst Sofronis Sofroniou said opening the checkpoint was a welcome development.

“Whatever the motives might be, it will create a better atmosphere unless there is any provocation,” he said. “I hope this thing is beyond the control of Denktash and extremists on both sides and will show that the two communities can live together. Already there has been a strong signal they are both happy to meet again.”

Sofroniou believes someone has been pushing Denktash. “I think he has been forced to do something to show some movement because he has been the man who never moves,” he said adding that he believed Serdar Denktash was seen as more flexible.

“I think would be very difficult for Denktash to stop it now. He would lose a lot of faith locally and internationally.”

Sofroniou said the mad rush by Greek Cypriots to cross over was a symptom of their fear that Denktash could pull the plug just as quickly as he removed the barricade. “But I doubt whether it can stop now,” he said.

Sener Levent, the Turkish Cypriot publisher of opposition newspaper Afrika summed it all up in a message to the people of both sides: “The people are satisfied. The opposition is very upset. Denktash is worried. The Greek Cypriots are trouble. Do not worry… make the most of it.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[03] Turkish Cypriots line up for passports

MORE TURKISH Cypriots came to the Passport Office in Nicosia yesterday to apply for passports from the Republic of Cyprus or renew their old ones.

“Yesterday was a normal day, we had about 20 Turkish Cypriots coming to apply for passports. But there were more today,” senior official Costas Pilavas said yesterday. By noon, around thirty Turkish Cypriots had been through the Passport Office, he said, making them busier than usual. He said that it could be a problem handling the extra work, but that they would do their best to keep up.

Every day, the passport office sees some Turkish Cypriots who have managed to get permission to come to the free areas to take care of passports, ID cards and birth certificates.

“We have a lot of contact with them and we help them because they are Cypriots and have the right to a passport,” Pilavas added.

The number of Turkish Cypriots applying for passports has soared since the beginning of 2001, mostly due to EU accession and an economic crisis in Turkey and the north. Once Cyprus joins the EU, a Cyprus passport would entitle Turkish Cypriots to unrestricted, travel, residence and employment opportunities within Europe.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has forbidden Turkish Cypriots from applying for Cypriot passports and has been quoted in the north calling on Turkish Cypriots who had Cyprus passports to give them up, saying they would end up "at a loss" if they did not.

Many Turkish Cypriots travel to other countries and apply for Cypriot passports through embassies and consulates or else submit applications through middlemen. Ismet, aged 33, who did not want to be further named spent his first trip to the free areas at the passport office yesterday to renew his passport, which he had originally obtained in London.

With 2,926 Turkish Cypriots crossing to free areas by 11pm on Wednesday, and more doing the same yesterday and today, the recent opening of the checkpoints is an opportunity to catch up on some paper work. Pilavas said that it takes about a month from the date of application for a passport to be issued.

The requirements for Turkish Cypriots to get a passport are exactly the same as for Greek Cypriots. They need to prove they have Cypriot parentage and have Cypriot identity cards. Applications cost £25 and the applicant has to apply at a Cypriot Embassy or at the Nicosia passport office. People born after 1974 can only be issued with passports if their birth certificates have been certified by doctors recognised by Cypriot government.

Minister of Interior Andreas Christou said that by lunchtime Wednesday some 100 Turkish Cypriots had applied for either a passport or an identity card to government authorities. He added that facilities would be increased to handle the number of Turkish Cypriots crossing into the free areas, but that the situation was under control.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[04] North set to expand operations

SERDAR DENKTASH, the 'Deputy Prime Minister' of the breakaway state in the north yesterday pledged that the checkpoint on the Turkish Cypriot side would remain open despite problems because of the sheer volume of traffic.

He also announced that as of Monday a fine of 50 million Turkish lira (£15) per hour would be imposed on anyone who overstays the midnight deadline.

Denktash, son of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, said his father had raised some concerns at a meeting earlier in the day and suggested perhaps limiting the numbers to ease up on 'police' at the checkpoint but this would not happen, he said.

Many Greek Cypriots are rushing to visit the north while the checkpoint is open for fear the Turkish Cypriot side, notorious for going back on its word, would shut it down as suddenly as they had opened it.

Speaking at a joint press conference at his 'Tourism Ministry' in occupied Nicosia, yesterday evening, Denktash's comments indicated the crossings would continue.

“These first days are a bit overloaded but instead of limiting the numbers we are trying to expand at the borders instead,” he said. “We are trying to get organised to give a better service but we will still face some troubles.”

He said that work was already underway to install eight computers and windows at the checkpoint, work, which was evident on the return journey.

Denktash, who has been the front-man for the entire initiative while his father has maintained an unusually low profile, said once the system is up and running people will be able to cross from one checkpoint and return through another, such as Pergamos.

Announcing the penalty for overstaying, Denktash said that it would go to pay the overtime of officers at the checkpoint.

Commenting on the scheme, unilaterally imposed by the Turkish Cypriot side, he said it seems to have had a good effect on both sides.

“We are hoping this will be the first stone for a better future for the whole island,” he said adding he hoped the Greek Cypriot side would relent and allow Turkish Cypriots to take their cars across. He said he did not believe that the circulation of Turkish Cypriot cars was a recognition issue. Denktash also called for Turkish settlers, whom he referred to as “Turkish Cypriots born in Turkey' to be allowed to cross.

Referring to UN efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, Denktash said: “It doesn't matter if it's the Annan plan or another plan. The point is to find a solution both people agree on and it shouldn't be imposed. What we have in the past is in the past. We have made mistakes they have made mistakes let's forget it and find a new approach.”

Denktash said that the plan to open the checkpoint was not out of the blue and that it had been in the planning for a long time. They did not discuss it with the Greek Cypriot side because “once we started negotiations they would go on for another 40 years”.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[05] Recriminations and doubt dominate Greek press

With the headline “Denktash now wants a visa,” Phileleftheros said the long lines of Greek and Turkish Cypriots crossing over had created the first cracks in the wall of the invading forces that divided the island in 1974.

In its editorial Phileleftheros stressed the Greek Cypriot authorities should take the necessary security measures while the Turkish Cypriots are entering the Republic. The paper insists that every Turkish Cypriot should be subject to tight security checks due to the fact that the north is a base for crime, and expressed concern over the possibility of foul play by Turkish agents that are allowed to roam in the free areas. It also boasted that its reporters refused to present their passports at the checkpoints saying that was the reason they did not go across.

Politis' story with the title “Everything is changing,” reports that the government was frozen by the rush of Greek and Turkish Cypriots to cross over into the other side. “They weren't expecting it,” the paper reports.

“The government's confidence that Greek Cypriots would follow their commands, was reduced to a lukewarm appeal by Interior Minister Andreas Christou for the public to avoid any procedure that would recognise the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.

In its editorial Politis said it could not take the responsibility of telling the people whether they should cross the Green Line and visit their homes that they hadn't seen for nearly 30 years.

“These are historic times and everyone should seriously consider their actions,” the paper says.

AKEL mouthpiece Haravghi led with the title “What is sought is the solution.” The paper reported that the basic issue was still the solution of the Cyprus problem and the removal of Turkish troops as well as the unification of the island.

In its editorial, Haravghi said the euphoric feelings that swept over thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots were understandable.

“We welcome our Turkish Cypriot compatriots as an inseparable part of our people,” the paper reported.

“However, those crossing the line should not be delusional. Denktash's bait should not be swallowed either by either Greek or Turkish Cypriots. The separating wall has not fallen and it will not fall with these kinds of measures.”

Simerini focused on the government's reaction to the issuing of 'visas' to Greek Cypriots crossing over to the north.

With the title “Passports to go home”, Simerini quoted Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides as saying that by issuing 'visas' to Greek Cypriots, Rauf Denktash wanted to give the impression there were borders between the north and south, and that there is a 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.

Chrysostomides said he was counting on Greek Cypriots' patriotism so that they would refuse to be subjected to passport control by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

Alithia expressed more optimism than other Greek newspapers. With the title, “The base on which re-unification can be built”, the paper reported on reactions by the EU and the UN.

“A basis on which the re-unification of the island will be built was set by the people,” the paper said.

In its editorial entitled “With open arms”, Alithia said Serdar Denktash's comments on Wednesday that passport control at the check points did not mean recognising the TRNC was as binding as it was encouraging.

Machi called for reason and patience, saying the Denktash regime is at a disadvantage and they are trying to use any possible means to come out of that situation.

“Denktash is playing his last card”, the paper reported. “So in these final spasms he is offering Greek and Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to cross over.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[06] Government considers screening Beijing arrivals for SARS

THE HEALTH Ministry is considering screening Chinese students coming over to Cyprus in an attempt to limit any potential outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on the island, Medical Services Head, Constantinos Mallis said yesterday.

The news comes a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) added Beijing, Toronto and China's Shanxi province to the list of places it is advising travellers to avoid.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail after a meeting with representatives of the Cyprus Medical Association (CMA) yesterday afternoon, Mallis said adequate measures had been taken to prepare the island for an outbreak of the atypical pneumonia.

“We have taken the proper measures and the (CMA) agree with the measures that we have taken. We will remain in close cooperation with the CMA if further measures need to be taken.”

He confirmed that moves to screen Chinese students arriving on the island would be put into effect should the need arise.

“We are thinking about specific measures to screen Chinese people coming to Cyprus, but we have not introduced these yet. We will see how things develop.”

Mallis said passengers leaving affected regions were given health checks and had to fill in questionnaires on their state of health. Another precaution the government had taken was to remind airlines to issue general health declarations before landing, which was common practice in light of infectious disease outbreaks. Aircraft staff flying to Cyprus had also been told to check passengers for symptoms so that the captain could alert the airport. If someone displayed SARS symptoms onboard the flight, the pilot would inform the landing airport, so that the passenger could be taken to either Paphos or Larnaca airport's clinic for a check up.

A special facility had already been set up at Limassol hospital where any people showing symptoms of the virus would be taken, he said. Mallis added if the person did not need to go to hospital, he or she would be confined to their homes under medical supervision.

He also denied reports in Machi yesterday which claimed a Larnaca hospital was treating a 28-year-old British man who displayed symptoms of SARS.

“It wasn't true -- it was just typical pneumonia. They wrote it in the newspaper without cross-checking and caused a panic,” he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Friday, April 25, 2003

[07] News in brief

Police increase Easter patrols

From today until Monday police will be stepping up patrols on roads and highways in an effort to crack down on speeding, dangerous overtaking and drink driving. They will also be on the look out for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts and motorcyclists not wearing helmets.

Baby zebra for Limassol zoo

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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