Cypriots celebrate chance to cross ceasefire line

HUNDREDS of Cypriots took the first chance in decades yesterday to cross a ceasefire line on their divided island under a Turkish Cypriot scheme denounced by Greek Cypriot officials as a ploy to avoid a real peace deal.

“I feel like I am living a dream,” said 50-year-old Turkish Cypriot Emete Altuner, walking with her husband and two daughters on a day-trip to the Greek Cypriot south.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Tuesday authorised opening checkpoints on the so-called truce “green line” for day trips, hoping to bolster confidence between the two sides after the collapse of UN-brokered peace talks last month.