Thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots crossed the UN-manned Green Line across the world’s last divided capital in both directions here, after Turkish Cypriot authorities lifted restrictions dating back decades. But a Greek Cypriot spokesman warned that “the wall hasn’t fallen”, in a reference to the end of the Berlin Wall in 1989. By dusk, some 2,000 Turkish Cypriots had crossed into the Greek sector Wednesday, many of them after a two-hour wait, while long queues of others were still waiting to be processed at the Greek Cypriot checkpoint near the Ledra Palace crossing. About 1,000 Greek Cypriots had headed the other way, or about half the Turkish Cypriot figure, officials at the crossing said. Many Turkish Cypriots felt a mixture of disbelief and happiness on entering south Nicosia. “I’m indescribably happy,” said 52-year-old worker Mustafa Kasap as he stood at Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, the main square. “I know these streets well. I have been watching and missing them from afar for 29 years.” Full Story
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