Greek Cypriot nationalists maintain attacks on Turkish Cypriots

Greek Cypriot nationalists maintain attacks on Turkish Cypriots

14/03/2006
www.financialmirror.com

Turkish Cypriots were again the target of Greek Cypriot nationalists in Nicosia on Monday night, as cars were vandalised during a bicommunal event between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots to launch a new book.

The vandals slashed the tyres and scratched the paintwork of cars owned by Turkish Cypriots.

The number place of cars registered in northern Cyprus are easily distinguishable from those registered in the Republic of Cyprus controlled areas.

The police at Paphos Gate station showed no interest in the incident when it was reported, the Financial Mirror has learned, telling the Turkish Cypriots that it was “their fault” for not informing the police beforehand that a bicommunal event was taking place.

Bicommunal events have taken place for years without the need for police protection.

However, Greek Cypriot hostility against these groups has risen since Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos implied in 2004 that bicommunal groups were paid agents of foreign powers.

In the past few months bicommunal events have increasingly been accompanied by vandalism: normally tyre-slashing of cars parked near the venue. Pro-solution politicians have also had their cars were vandalised at these events.