US see new spirit developing in efforts to solve Cyprus problem

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who met with her Cypriot counterpart Marcos Kyprianou on Thursday in New York, referred to a new opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem and the new spirit developing for some time.

During the meeting, Rice and Kyprianou discussed the Cyprus problem and the US official reiterated intentions to support the process for a settlement.

Rice said ''we were looking forward to this conversation because we obviously like to be supportive as the process trying to resolve the Cyprus dispute moves forward.''

''I think there is a good chance again. I think there is a new spirit developing for some time and I look forward to your thoughts how we may push forward,'' she added.

Kyprianou said he elaborated on the Greek Cypriot side's positions regarding the process for a settlement and the role of the international community.

He furthermore called on the US to exert influence on Turkey. ''Turkey is holding the key to the solution and there are indeed sectors that are directly linked to Turkey and of course it stands to reason that the US are in the best possible position to encourage, exert pressure on Turkey so that it is positive, not only in the process, but in the result, and the result must guarantee unity, reunification, the future of Cyprus.''

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said the meeting was important, despite the fact that the US administration's term expires at the end of the year.

On Thursday, Kyprianou met in New York with his counterparts of Oman, Palestine, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Serbia and Ghana, whom he briefed on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and discussed bilateral relations. With Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al Malki, Kyprianou also discussed the Palestinian question.

Kyprianou participated on Thursday morning in the session on the millennium development goals, and in the evening met with the American-Hebrew Committee, the members of which he briefed on the Cyprus problem.