Baby steps in Cyprus

Last year the Green Line between the Turkish north and Greek south of Cyprus opened. Although the Kofi Annan Plan to reunite the island failed in last April's referendum, there are still steps being made in the direction of reconciliation. Only recently a Greek school in the northern village of Rizokarpasso has been reopened after having been closed some time ago in an effort to drive the remaining Greeks into the south. That the TRNC government has finally permitted this is a good sign.

In the meantime, few are likely aware that, even after 1974, Greeks and Turks have continued to live together in the village of Pyla, located in one of the British sovereign military base areas. Residents co-exist peacefully and amicably, proving to the world that it can be done. Let us hope and pray that the rest of the island will catch up with Pyla.