WEDNESDAY’S opening of the Green Line checkpoints has received mixed reactions from the island’s Greek-language newspapers.
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.”
