Greek Cypriots storm checkpoint as border restrictions lifted for first time in 30 years

HUNDREDS of Greek Cypriots, frustrated by queues of people waiting to visit the island’s Turkish Cypriot north for the first time in 30 years, broke through chains of UN peacekeepers at a border point yesterday.

In a sign of the pent-up tensions on the divided Mediterranean island, the Greek Cypriots stormed through several lines of troops at Nicosia’s Ledra palace crossing in a dash for the northern Turkish checkpoint, where they were finally held back.

Witnesses said scuffles and fistfights broke out at the main crossing as impatient crowds queued at the start of a four-day Orthodox Easter break to see former homes and other places in the north that had been off-limits for three decades.

The UN force eventually regained a measure of control and began letting Greek Cypriots through the northern checkpoint in groups of around 100.

Two days ago, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash lifted restrictions on north-south crossings for the first time since Cyprus was partitioned along ethnic lines in 1974.

The move was aimed at boosting confidence after the collapse of UN-brokered reunification talks last month.

The talks foundered amid arguments over land and population exchanges, ending hopes that a united Cyprus, rather than just the Greek Cypriots, could join the European Union in May 2004.

Many Greek Cypriots slept in their cars overnight, causing a six mile traffic jam at the Ledra crossing.

Although Ledra is the main entry point, reports suggested the situation was even more tense at another checkpoint in the southeast.

At least 5,000 people had gathered at Pergamos , waiting for permission to cross. Police said there was an eight-hour wait to go over.

Crossings by Turkish Cypriots to the south were going smoothly, witnesses said.