Police find two bombs at key crossing point on divided Cyprus

NICOSIA, Oct 11 (AFP) - Two bombs primed to explode were found Monday near a busy pedestrian crossing point in Nicosia between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sectors on this divided island, police said.
Police said the suspect packages, containing TNT, were "high-yield" explosive devices, with makeshift detonators. They were detected in a car park around 150 metres (yards) from the Greek Cypriot police checkpoint.
The area around Ledra Palace checkpoint was cordoned off for several hours.
"These were bombs ready to explode putting lives and property at risk," said Nicosia police chief Iacovos Papacostas. "The two devices were found and destroyed by police in controlled explosions."
One was concealed in a Turkish milk cartoon, a second device was found nearby, Justice Minister Doros Theodorou confirmed.
"What is of exceptional importance is the place these devices were found, which is a very sensitive area," said Theodorou. "We must solve this case and find out why they were brought here and for what reason."
He said if the motivation was to stop contact between Greek and Turkish Cypriots living on opposite sides of the so-called "Green Line" which splits the island, then it was "doubly important" the culprits be found.
Investigators said they had no immediate leads about who planted the devices or the intended target. The Nicosia courthouse is also within walking distance from where the bombs were discovered.
Also close to the checkpoint are the main barracks for the British contingent in a UN peacekeeping force as well as the Greek ambassador's residence, where a reception was being held.
Thousands of people cross the Ledra Palace checkpoint daily, including Turkish Cypriot builders commuting to work in the south.
Turkish Cypriot authorities eased Green Line travel restrictions in April 2003, allowing movement for the first time since a 1974 Turkish army invasion of northern Cyprus after an Athens-engineered coup aimed at union with Greece.
Despite the decades of separation and mistrust, the crossings have been free of serious incidents.