US leans on Papadopoulos to talk to UN

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Laura Kennedy leaned on President Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday to detail the changes he wants to the UN blueprint for a settlement but hinted that it would be sufficient if the UN were the only body to hear such views.

“The [UN] Secretary General has invited parties to specify specifically their concerns, and particularly has asked the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiation to specify specifically changes that they might like to see. … A realistic contribution on this, would certainly move the process forward,” she said.

Speaking after a one-hour meeting with the President, Kennedy said “we agree on the importance of the UN led effort. The basis of a bicommunal, bizonal settlement, on the basis of the Annan Plan.”

Asked if she has been informed on the changes the Greek Cypriot side wants, Kennedy replied “this would be for the Secertary General’s benefit, that’s the key thing, for him to get that, so we just support that process and are delighted to see steps towards that.”

She said that it is up to the Secretary General to judge whether the conditions are right to resume talks.

Kennedy, who arrived on the island on Thursday, also met House President Demetris Christofias and was meeting opposition Democratic Rally leader Nicos Anastasiades. Tomorrow she is scheduled to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.