Border Opening Positively Affects Western Media’s TRNC Perspective

The Western press, which for years has presented the Turkish side in a negative light, for the first time has published a series of positive news articles about the TRNC. The Times newspaper, published in the United Kingdom, evaluated the mutual transition yesterday and wrote that many Greek Cypriots who had abandoned their homes 29 years ago had been given a chance to return and be reunited with the personal property they had left behind.

The newspaper pointed out that the situation constituted a great contribution to the fostering of good intentions between the two societies. A Greek Cypriot woman named Elleda Kiriaku recalled that 29 years ago she had fled after hastily burying her jewels in the back yard when she heard that Turkish soldiers were on their way to her neighborhood. The newspaper reported the amazement and joy she felt when she learned that Zerrin Dogan, the new owner of the house and a citizen of the TRNC, had saved the jewelry for her. Dogan’s daughter had found the treasure 10 years ago while playing in the garden, and Dogan had kept the valuable bundle of gold crucifixes, bracelets and gold coins featuring the late Greek Cypriot leader Archbishop Makarios in safekeeping for her return.

aa / / TURKEY