GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT SOLDIERS TAKING DOWN FORTIFICATIONS, WATCHED BY U.N. SOLDIERS. SOLDIERS.




Initials AA/V-S/RM/ES



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Background: YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT SOLDIERS WORKED TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS WHEN THEY DEMOLISHED DEFENCE FORTIFICATIONS AROUND THE OLD-WALLED TURKISH CITY OF FAMAGUSTA.

THE MOVE TO TAKE DOWN THE SANDBAG BARRICADES REPRESENTS A MAJOR SUCCESS FOR UNITED NATIONS' OFFICIALS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET THE REMOVAL OF FORTIFICATIONS AFTER FIVE WEEKS' HARD BARGAINING.

LAST MONTH TENSION ROSE IN FAMAGUSTA AFTER SEVERAL. SHOOTING INCIDENTS AND U.N. OFFICIALS BEGAN TO NEGOTIATE FOR THE REMOVAL OF FORTIFICATIONS. IN SOME PLACES GREEKS AND TURKS HAD BEEN WATCHING EACH OTHER ACROSS SMALL STREETS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, AND THERE WERE CHEERFUL. WAVES AS THE SANDBAGS CAME DOWN.

U.N. SOLDIERS FROM SWEDEN WATCHED THE OPERATION.

(NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE FIGHTING STARTED, TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOTS ARE WORKING TOGETHER AT THE DOCKS -- A SIGN THAT TENSION HAS BEEN RELIEVED.)