Cyprus Rivals Face Deadline to Keep U.N. Peace Talks Alive
U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon on Monday launched two days of talks with the rival leaders of divided Cyprus, with the Greek-Cypriot leader warning that a breakthrough would be "a miracle."
Ban is holding his fifth meeting with Demetris Christofias, head of the internationally recognized Greek-Cypriot government, and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in the past three years.
He has in the past warned the rival leaders that he could end U.N. efforts to broker a deal to end the separation that has lasted since 1974.
Ahead of the talks at the Greentree Estate in the New York suburbs, Christofias said that progress would be nearly impossible.
"I am sorry to say that the conditions set by the secretary general for the achievement of convergences on the core issues of the Cyprus problem have not been implemented," Christofias told reporters, according to his press office.
"There has been no progress on the chapters of governance, property, territory and citizenship, namely the issue of the settlers.
"We will discuss again with good will with the secretary general and Mr. Eroglu and I hope for a miracle. What more can we say? This is the situation."
The U.N. is maintaining pressure on the two however to make concessions on topics such as territorial adjustments in any new state, security arrangements and property rights.
"The secretary general looks forward to a productive meeting and concrete progress," said U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky.
"He has conveyed his expectations to the leaders for a resolution of this issue. He believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprus."
The two sides also face a deadline with the Greek-Cypriot government scheduled to take over the European Union presidency from July 1.
"The window of our opportunity for further progress in negotiations is very much limited. It may be politically difficult and sensitive, when the presidency of the European Union is now going to be part of this," Ban said recently.
The United States is also pressing the two sides to overcome their rivalry.
"We urge the leaders to seize this important opportunity to make real and substantial progress toward a settlement reunifying the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Saturday.
Ban, who has former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer as his special envoy, said that if there was a breakthrough, an international conference on Cyprus could be the next step in a permanent settlement.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied the northern third in response to a Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia aimed at union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Source: Agence France Presse
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