LEFKOSA - Lokmaci border pass (Ledra street), which President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias on Friday agreed to open, is on the agenda of Cypriots for the past 3 years.
It will be the tradesmen of the region who would benefit the most from the opening of Lokmaci border pass.
-STORY OF LOKMACI BORDER PASS-
Lokmaci barricade, which is qualified as the symbol of clashes and division between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, will be opened to pedestrian crossing between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side.
Cyprus was first divided in Lokmaci. Lokmaci, namely Ledra street, was divided with barricades in 1963 because of Enosis (union with Greece) efforts. Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot parties built walls on their side of the barricade on Ledra street because of the coup against Makarios in 1974.
Lokmaci barricade, constructed for protection from the Greek Cypriot attacks, is the first barricade in Cyprus and considered as the symbol of partition.
TRNC administration started efforts in 2005 to open Lokmaci border pass and demolished the wall located in the Turkish part in Lokmaci on November 24th, 2005.
A cross-over was then built passing over the remaining wall. Greek Cypriot administration, which at the first hand supported opening of the border pass, later said works of the Turkish Cypriot party was "violation of the buffer zone" and applied to UN to complain about the Turkish party.
UNFICYP spokesman`s office said the works were not the violation of the buffer zone, yet later wanted Turkish party to halt the works.
TRNC President Talat decided to dismantle the cross-over in the Lokmaci barricade, and the cross-over was demolished on January 9th, 2007.
Greek Cypriot party said it considered demolition of the cross-over "as a positive step" however noted this was not adequate. However, with a sudden decision, Greek Cypriot party demolished the wall on March 8th, 2007.
Lokmaci border pass is expected to be opened on March 31st or April 1st after conclusion of necessary technical preparations, during the visit of Lyn Pascoe, the UN Under Secretary General of Political Affairs.
(AY-AÖ)