Cyprus Government demolishes wall at Nicosia’s Ledra Street, calls for withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops
Washington DC, March 9, 2007 --- The Cyprus Government has demolished the wall at Nicosia’s commercial Ledra Street.
“Now that the checkpoint of the National Guard of the Republic at Ledras Street has been demolished we will see whether the Turkish troops will withdraw so the passage will be opened or not,” Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said from Brussels where he is taking part in the EU Summit.
Moreover, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pasiardis told the press in Nicosia today:
“As we have emphasized last night, and as the President of the Republic of Cyprus himself has emphasized, the removal of the wall does not mean that all the obstacles involved with the opening of Ledra Street have automatically been removed.
“It is now up to the Turkish occupying forces, as well as the Turkish side, to cooperate in order to lift all those substantial obstacles, so that Ledra Street can be used by the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
“What matters at this stage is that all other essential problems are resolved, namely the demining of potential minefields, the restoration of the houses which are situated on the street and, primarily, the withdrawal of the Turkish occupying troops from the particular crossing point.
“The Greek Cypriot side took an additional positive step last night and made yet another demonstration of its good will. We hope that the other side will not remain content with the impression it created with the demolition of the footbridge, but will respond to the reasonable and constructive proposals which we have submitted and will cooperate for the opening of Ledra Street; it is really wishes and is interested in opening the specific crossing point.”
