Anti-Turkey demonstrations in northern Cyprus

Hundreds of Turkish Cypriots took to the streets in the occupied northern part of Cyprus on Thursday protesting against Turkey’s economic policy and influence in the territory.
This was the third demonstration organised by the Turkish Cypriot Trade Union platform since January, put political groups refrained from taking part.
Turkish Cypriot police clashed with the demonstrators and arrested one person.
Protestors held placards against the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot administration, and chanted in favour of a solution of the Cyprus problem.
The leaders of the two communities, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, are currently engaged in slow-paced UN-led negotiations on the verge of a standstill, with the UN Secretary General saying in Eashington that there was no timetable in the ongoing dialogue.
During a meeting he had with members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, replying to comments by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon rejected any suggestion that there are timetables in the negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
He added that despite the fact that the desired progress has not been achieved, the effort to find a negotiated settlement is continuing.
He also noted that the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) mandate is renewed in a specific way and takes place every six months and that references to the restructuring of the force concern the relevant mandates of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
Ban stressed the need for continued support from the largest contributor to the United Nations system so that the world body can carry on with its important work.
“The continued engagement and leadership of the United States is essential for the United Nations to be able to succeed in the many tasks you look to us to do,” Ban said, adding that the US and the UN share the same goals and objectives.