Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-09-10

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS DIRECT TALKS

[02] UN TALKS SECOND PHASE DOWNER

[03] THE ELDERS CYPRUS VISIT

[01] PRESIDENT CHRISTOFIAS DIRECT TALKS

The President expressed the hope that events like the ones at Limnitis checkpoint, on the northwest, which led to the postponement of his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, will not be repeated.

Speaking to reporters after the end of his meeting with Talat, signaling the start of the second round of the UN-sponsored direct talks, Christofias said next week, when the leaders will hold their next meeting, they will discuss further the procedure, stressing however that the procedure will not change.

A pilgrimage from the village of Pyrgos in Paphos district to the church of Saint Mamas in the Turkish occupied area of Morphou, via the Limnitis checkpoint, was called off last week, due to long delays caused by the Turkish Cypriot side. This led to the postponement of the September 3 meeting between the leaders of the two communities.

We have said that the Limnitis incident should be set aside and we should look forward in the hope that from now on, we wont witness similar events, the President remarked.

President Christofias said both he and Talat, after the first meeting, talked with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot artists who are exhibiting their work at the Eyeport at the now defunct Nicosia International Airport, in the buffer zone.

He said the two talked about art and the role of artists, noting that for years now artists have reconciled.

What remains, he added, is for us leaders to act and make real the challenge of the artists for peace, for a solution to the Cyprus issue and reunification of our country and people.

The President refrained from any comment on Greek Cypriot press reports, suggesting that the UN wish to submit proposals and that pressure must exerted on the Greek Cypriot side.

He repeated that the National Council will discuss the course of the talks and the Greek Cypriot sides overall position until December during next weeks scheduled meeting.

President Christofias was critical of leaks to the press of confidential documents he hands to members of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, made up of representatives of parliamentary parties. He also expressed regret that such things should happen.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks began in September last year between the leaders of the two communities with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution to reunite the country.

[02] UN TALKS SECOND PHASE DOWNER

They had positions which they articulated on the question of the election of the executive in the first round. They had different positions. They have come back here with new bridging proposals and they initially presented those bridging proposals today, Downer told reporters. The discussions on the new bridging proposals will continue next Thursday.

The two leaders also discussed the cancellation of a pilgrimage by Greek Cypriots to the Turkish occupied areas via the Limnitis checkpoint, in a tete-a-tete session at the beginning of the meeting. Regarding that controversial for the two communities issue, the UN envoy said that President Christofias and Talat agreed, having discussed the issue of Limnitis, that they would leave it behind them and move on into the second reading of the direct negotiations.

[03] THE ELDERS CYPRUS VISIT

Brahimi said the delegation is visiting Cyprus representing no one else but themselves, as concerned citizens and assured that if they have any influence, they wish to put it at the disposal of this courageous process between the two leaders (Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat),who are trying to solve this Cyprus problem.

Brundtland, in her statements, said it was a pleasure to be in Cyprus and have the opportunity to talk not only with the leaders but also with people who are active, like non-governmental organisations and researchers, in an attempt to understand the complications and the road to a solution of the Cyprus problem. She stressed that they will support solution efforts, adding that a solution depends on the support of the media and the people in both communities.

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