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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) -- Tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots joined in a peaceful protest Wednesday in divided Cyprus' breakaway north against an austerity package they say Turkey has unfairly foisted on them.
Organizers resent deep private and state sector salary cuts, which were announced last year, following negotiations between the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the government in Turkey.
Turkish Cypriot trade unions have vowed to fight the austerity package, which includes rolling back entry level salaries by 40 percent, taxing pensions and cutting the taxable income threshold from 17 to 10 percent. Union leaders said the package also foresees selling off state enterprises to private Turkish business interests.
More than 25,000 protesters, angry about what they believe are efforts by Turkey to exert more control over the isolated statelet, gathered at Inonu Square inside ancient Venetian walls in the city’s northern Turkish section in what is believed to be one of the largest demonstrations ever in North Cyprus.
NICOSIA, Cyprus - Some 30,000 Turkish Cypriots joined in a peaceful protest Wednesday in divided Cyprus' breakaway north against an austerity package they say Turkey has unfairly foisted on them.
Some 50,000 demonstrators turn out in occupied Nicosia to protest cuts 'imposed' by Ankara