Turks abusing crossings

Sir,

The attempt to force the opening of a crossing at  Ledra Street by the occupation regime is another disingenuous attack on rapprochement presented as a “peace measure”.

I have travelled many times through the various crossings and and each time I return feel an emptiness and anger. The emptiness is having to leave behind the areas that I grew up in and the anger is at the foolish tourists who enjoy the occupation “hospitality” oblivious of the tragedy behind it – much like an ignorant tourist deciding to enjoy a souvla at Auschwitz .

Greek Cypriots are often seen as “second class” visitors by the Turkish Cypriot hosts, good for handing over some hard currency, but best kept well away from ignorant tourists lest an attempt at discussing ‘the Cyprus Question’ or to point out that the taverna they are all having a drink in used to be owned by Stavros before he was thrown out at gunpoint might sour the psuedo holiday atmosphere.

The crossings were good because they proved once and for all that Greeks could be civil to Turks, contrary to what Mr Denktash had been preaching . However, they have now served their purpose and are just a method for the occupation regime to pretend at rapprochement while sucking out the lifeblood of the Republic.

The goodwill created by the crossings seems to have regressed – people like me, all for a solution, are angry. I think its time that this policy was put on hold, and only one crossing allowed until there is some concrete evidence on the part of the occupation regime that it will give back something for what it has been taking. Famagusta would be a good start.

Chris Christofi, Chigwell, Essex

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