Refused entry to the South

[Soner]

I thought border crossing had been made easier? Went today to show brother and his family South Nicosia via Lokmaci border, they showed British passports and I had TRNC Kimlik. Greek customs officer would not let me through as my Kimlik stated that I was born in UK and Greek Officer said that I had to register my TRNC citizenship with RoC government. What on earth has my TRNC citizenship got to do with them? They let all TRNC citizens through do they not? An if border crossing have supposedly improved then why are they now checking everyone's passports/ID's when crossing over Greek side, they did not bother before?

I think they need to remove some of their (racist / pro EOKA) custom officers from their posts, does not show that they are willing to move on. If this is still their attitude, then can't see negotiations ending up smelling of roses.

If there is a Greek government official on this forum, then please do explain.

[PoshinDevon]

Not good Soner. They are a strange lot across the dark side.

It would be good to get some sensible and accurate update on this as I was under the same impression as Soner that there was no restrictions.

Wonder if it would have been worth asking officials on the TRNC side if they were aware of this "rule".

[turtle]

Soner, Do you still have a British Passport if so why not just use that ?

[erol]

Generally I use my Kimlik card on the north side of the crossing points and my British passport on the south side, but I have in the past used my kimlik card on both. As I remember (it was a long time ago now) I did the very first time I crossed using my kimlik card on the south side have to show my (deceased) fathers expired UK passport but I have never 'registered' on the South side. I think this was to show that I was the child of a Cypriot and not a Turkish main lander, as my fathers UK passport showed his place of birth as Cyprus ? They certainly do not let anyone with TRNC kimlik card through. If they consider you a 'settler' (or child of a settler) rather than a (by their definition) Cypriot citizen (or child of one) then you can not cross unless you have the appropriate visa for the country they consider you to be a 'settler' of.

[Soner]

Turtle, yes I have a British Passport, but did not have it with me.

Erol, thanks for the explanation, but surely if you are a TRNC citizen regardless of being a settler or of Cypriot origin, this should not matter after 40 odd years. TRNC is a separate country although unrecognised. Why should they (RoC) hold information on their citizens (TRNC)? Do we apply the same rules to settlers from Greece that have become RoC citizens?

Beyond me, this is Cyprus - North or South. Right?

[Marions]

How infuriating! I have sent a cop[y of this to someone in Government in the hopes they can provide an answer. (ha, ha_) and your chances of getting someone form the south to report on thisw is as likely as it is for me to go and live ont he new earth they have found out there.

Reconcilaiton? Best joke of the year to date - and I actually believe in miracles.

But maybe it is as I found when VAT was introduced into U.K - all Customs and Excise clerks had a different storyof interpretation of the finer points of the law concerning VAT. So maybe the south has not caught up to date on using the same script.

Still infuriating though!

And are you going to get the storyin Cyprus Today??????????????????????????????????

[Soner]

Lol, don't think it would make front page news.

[meldy]

I think itis only the North side that has improved their border crossing service!

[Marions]

Personally I would think this is far more front pge news than some it carries. Why not give them the story and let them decide!???

[13roman58]

In the supposed light of the good relations contained in the ongoing negotiations I think that this should be highlighted in all the press unless it get,s suppressed maybe?

[sophie]

Its certainly more headline news than entertainers (?) having a punch up in a local bar. It puts the realistic side of what the politicians maintain is progress in the talks. "you can fool some of the people some of the time etc, etc"

[Owl Lady]

I agree Soner, let the" powers that be" see what an utter waste of the time "the talks" are!!!Apart from the so called politicians, have you actually met ANYONE, who wants reunification?

[Soner]

Even though my parents are Turkish Cypriots, why should I have to prove and register my TRNC Kimlik in the Roc, they have not right and the TRNC government should not agree to their demands. Totally out of order. Sorry, I am still fuming.

[jacob]

Soner, you and no other TC should be refused anywhere on the Island, it's disgraceful.

[Deniz1]

These incidents seem to happening more since the new talks started up. Spanner and works come to mind.

[fatouche]

I was the subject of a similar incident crossing back from thr Greek side a few months ago, when Iwas sceamed at by Greek police for being in possession of an illegal document (my TRNC Kimlik) issued by the government of an occupied territory. I have no idea why we would want any kind of agreement with these people; they are obviously not ready.

[Keithcaley]

I was the subject of a similar incident crossing back from thr Greek side a few months ago, when Iwas sceamed at by Greek police for being in possession of an illegal document (my TRNC Kimlik) issued by the government of an occupied territory. I have no idea why we would want any kind of agreement with these people; they are obviously not ready.

This beggars the question - is this sort of response / treatment actually a part of ROC Government policy, and have the Police been ordered / advised to act in this manner? - or is it simply the (wholly unofficial) reaction of some individuals who are acting contrary to their instructions? - You will find intemperate people wherever you go...

Having had experience of some obstroculous (obstreperous?) individual officials on this side, I have no reason to suspect that the ones on their side will be much different!

[mikelapta]

Soner.I am lost about your argument re Kımlık,etc......By International law there ARE 2 countries here.(no dıscussion now the rights or wrongs)....YOU forgot YOUR passport!!!!And if you want to go to the Republic of Cyprus,you must take !!!End of story.

[squashmad]

mikelapta,

I see many TC's showing only their kimlik cards in the past maybe they don't have a UK passport!

[Welldigger]

Soner,

This has happened to me before, I am in the same situation as you, I have a UK passport and Kimlik but I was born in the UK. I had tried to cross just using my Kimlik but it is not allowed (regardless of who is on the passport control on the GC side). I'm not saying this is right, I am just stating the facts.

You can use your Kimlik on TC side as I do but then you must switch to your UK passport on the GC side. They say it is about heritage and they must know where your parents were born before they allow use of a Kimlik for someone born in the UK.

I too was told "whatever" and "you shouldn't live in the occupied part of the Island", which needless to say, I didn't react very well too to say the least, whereby one very reasonable and nice GC passport officer took me to one side and explained why, adding "sorry, but these are the rules".

The TC passport control always insist on seeing my Kimlik so bottom line is I don't cross without carrying both.

Sorry but "these are the rules"!

With regard to the offensive propaganda on the GC passport control side, I think it's disgusting and in no way contributes to any attempt to living in peace. Perhaps we should to the same our side, see what happens???

[erol]

Sorry Soner, but sometimes being good is just too much for me.

I blame the parents

[Soner]

TC's can use their Kimliks on both sides - but guess they have registered it with RoC ( which I do not intend to do ).

Thanks for info Welldigger, yes let's see what happens.

Will close this thread now as have got my answers and have cooled down somewhat, also - those having playground fight amongst each other, please read the forum rules.