Cyprus-Forum.com

[Mills Chapman]

What are people's thoughts on opening the Ledra Street Gate? Do they have any problem with their side's leaders wanting to do it? Just so that this won't go off thread, let's let GCs speak for the GC leaders and TCs speak for the TC leaders.

Thanks.

[Piratis]

Are there any shops on the occupied part of Ledra street that are owned by Greek Cypriots? Would these Greek Cypriots now be expected to go happy shopping in the shops that were stolen from them, just like Greek Cypriot refugees are only allowed to visit their own land as tourists?

What we care about is our land and our human rights to be respected. Going shopping to the occupied part of Nicosia is not high on our priority list.

Of course the argument could be that the interaction could help the people of Cyprus unite. But does it? Personally I've seen no change in the position of Turkish Cypriots since 2003. They still insist on the racist separation and human rights violations of GCs and they want only as much unity and interactions as it suits them.

Of course 2.5 years might not be enough. So I personally support this move with the hope that TCs simply need some more time. But this kind of situation can not go on forever. The time should come that the illegal occupation should end and the human rights of all Cypriots respected.

[BirKibrisli]

Personally I feel that the more open gates the better.They should really dismantle every single barricate and let people mingle freely.
I am sympatheric to Piratis's views above,but human rights and true democracy will not come if trust is not established.It might take a couple of generations to do it (30 years),but the sooner we start the better.

[Sotos]

What will happen if they remove every barricade and people start moving freely? It will be strange situation ...

[BirKibrisli]

This is a true story,Sotos:

In my village in Paphos there was an old lady who owned a donkey.She really looked after it well,except she never took it out for a walk.The beast was tied up day and night in a stable.After a few years my grandfather took it upon himself to go and ask the woman to please stop being so cruel and let the donkey walk around every now and then.The woman agreed and untied the donkey.But however hard they tried that donkey would not take a step outside.It stayed in the stable until it died apparently.

[Piratis]

I am sympatheric to Piratis's views above,but human rights and true democracy will not come if trust is not established.It might take a couple of generations to do it (30 years),but the sooner we start the better.

Birkibrisli, why you didn't need 30 years? I can understand what you mean, but I am afraid that most people use this lack of trust as an excuse and it is not the real reason.
If what you want is unity then trust is easy to gain. We are all humans, not monsters. But if your aim is partition then you will never show any trust simply because such thing would not serve your aim.

[BirKibrisli]

I am sympatheric to Piratis's views above,but human rights and true democracy will not come if trust is not established.It might take a couple of generations to do it (30 years),but the sooner we start the better.

Birkibrisli, why you didn't need 30 years? I can understand what you mean, but I am afraid that most people use this lack of trust as an excuse and it is not the real reason.
If what you want is unity then trust is easy to gain. We are all humans, not monsters. But if your aim is partition then you will never show any trust simply because such thing would not serve your aim.

You have a point there Piratis.I think some people are using the issue of trust for their own purposes,but most TCs are really afraid.Believe me they are.Don't forget how many years of brainwashing they went through,especially those who remained in Cyprus.It is indeed "better the devil we know" mentality.It will take time to show people there are no devils,just human beings who made big mistakes but learned from them,and are better humans for it.

[Piratis]

Birkibrisli, I am not as optimistic as you are. Lets hope you are right and I am wrong.

[Sotos]

Government says it is ready to open Ledra Street
The long-running political stand-off between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots over the opening of a new crossing at downtown Ledra Street, may be coming to a close, with expectations that the checkpoint could open before Christmas.

Both sides claim that they are ready to open the gates but are only waiting for a move by the military on the other side.

The Ledra Street checkpoint was erected as far back as 1958 during the guerrilla campaign to oust British rule.

Ledra Street, most of which is paved, has only just begun to spring to life again after decades of neglect when the more prosperous retailers moved further south away from the Green Line that divides the city.

The ‘joining up’ of the two sides of Nicosia is expected to be a boost to retailers and restaurants in the area.

How will this work? I think from other checkpoints you have to show passport to pass. Will they stop people in the middle of the street to ask for passport? If people are crossing without id/passport then how can they be stopped from going to other places? Will this make illegal immigration by occupied areas easier?

[Main_Source]

wow...if its the opening im thinking of...its kinda weird. I always remember as a kid and up to a couple of years ago that barracade in Ledra where you could walk up the mini stairs and peer over the other side. It always made me feel erry seeing cafe's and shop signs that had not been touched for years and years.