Turkish Cypriot Leader Due To Greece Via Greek Cypriot Side To Attend Opening Of Olympic Games

LEFKOSA - Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) leader Mustafa Akinci of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will go to Athens via the Greek Cypriot side on August 12 to attend opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent on Monday, Akinci who supports a political solution in Cyprus, confirmed the reports of the Greek Cypriot press alleging that he would attend opening ceremony of the Olympic Games upon an invitation. Noting that he did not have a Greek Cypriot passport which the Greek Cypriot administration gave to some TRNC citizens, Akinci said: ''At first I was planning to go to Athens via Istanbul. However, I was later told that I can go to Athens via Larnaka with a Turkish passport. So I decided to go to Greece via the Greek Cypriot side.''
''I accepted this official invitation because I want to contribute to peaceful spirit of the Olympics,'' he added.
Akinci will be the first ever Turkish Cypriot politician going to Athens via the Greek Cypriot side.
(MS-ULG) 09.08.2004