US support efforts for Cyprus settlement

US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said the US support the efforts of the two sides in Cyprus to reach an agreement on the Cyprus problem, adding that the US support a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

He noted that, although the Cyprus problem is a hard issue, it can be resolved and expressed support for the direct talks between the leaders of the two communities.

Asked about reports that the US government on 23 May 2008 exerted pressure on President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, during his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, to accept a ''partnership of two constituent states based on political equality,'' as envisioned in the previous revision of the Annan, Plan, McCormack said he ''cannot speak to this particular report.''

''I can tell you that we support the efforts of the two sides to come to an agreement. We have long supported a bizonal, bicommunal federation as a solution. This is a long standing issue. It is a hard issue but it is one that can be resolved, in our view. We fully support the sides coming together,'' he added.

Asked if the US still take into consideration the Annan Plan in the direct talks, McCormack said he was ''sure previous efforts inform current efforts, as they should.''

''There is a lot to be learned from history. It is now a matter of the two sides coming together. And we, as well as others in the international community, fully support that,'' he added.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began on September 3 direct negotiations with a view to reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The two leaders will meet again this week.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.