Cypriots divided on anniversary

Turkish Cypriots are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the arrival of Turkish troops in Cyprus, an event which led to its effective partition.

Turkey invaded the north of Cyprus in response to a Greek-backed military coup aimed at union with Greece.

Some 35,000 troops remain stationed in northern Cyprus, which is still shunned by the international community.

Correspondents say talks about the reunification of the island show no signs of reaching an early conclusion.

Greek Cypriots marked the "black anniversary" with wailing sirens.

'Disillusioned communities'

Around 180,000 Greek Cypriots in the north fled south following the invasion, while thousands of Turkish Cypriots from the south sought refuge in the north.

A "Green Line" - dividing the two parts from Morphou through Nicosia to Famagusta - continues to be patrolled by United Nations troops.

The BBC's Tabitha Morgan in Nicosia says that one clear indication of the gap between the two communities is the language used to describe the event being commemorated on Monday.

For Turkish Cypriots, the military action of 1974 was a peace operation to protect their minority community, our correspondent says.

For Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, it was regarded as an invasion - and the continued Turkish military presence as an illegal occupation.

The international community has also taken that view, and a travel and trade embargo against northern Cyprus remains.

Only Turkey recognises the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a state.

The future status of Turkish troops on the island is one of many issues that the leaders of the two communities are addressing in the latest series of negotiations which began last year.

Our correspondent says Greek Cypriot Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Mehmet Ali Talat, have shown unprecedented levels of goodwill and co-operation, but reaching a negotiated solution is unlikely to be the end of the story.

The two leaders would still have to convince their disillusioned and sceptical communities of the benefits of accepting a compromise deal, she adds.

The last attempt at a negotiated solution to the Cypriot problem - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters.

As a result, Cyprus - or the southern part ruled by Greek Cypriots - joined the European Union that year, while the north remained effectively excluded.