The International Peace Day will reportedly not be celebrated in the buffer zone by the two communities

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (30.08.11), United Nations’ officials in Cyprus have not permitted to the two communities of the island to celebrate the 1 September International Peace Day in the buffer zone. Under the title: “Blow to peace, you too UN?” Afrika reports that UN officials separately informed representatives of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot organizations yesterday that no celebration could take place this year at the buffer zone. No statement was issued on the reason for which permission was not given for this celebration that happens every year at the buffer zone, notes Afrika.

The paper writes that this decision of the UN caused various questions and wonders whether the UN sees any danger of provocation and conflict in the island because of the tension created due to the natural gas and oil explorations to be launched by the Republic of Cyprus.

Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), issued a statement yesterday protesting against this stance of the UN, describing the stance of the UN as “secessionist and separatist”. He called on all Cypriots “whose heart burns with the fire of peace” to gather at the Kugulu Park in occupied Lefkosia on 1 September at 6.30pm and march towards the Ledra Palace barricade.