Differences

The UN Secretary General’s new Special Representative in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun , yesterday met the senior aides to the two leaders Iacovou and Nami, at the Ledra Palace. He was briefed on the work of the working groups and technical committees, which, according to the Greek Cypriot side, have been experiencing difficulties. Iacovou told reporters after the meeting: “We want to see substantial progress in all issues. This is our aim and we remain steadfast in our efforts to have results and to use those results as a basis for negotiations when they start.”

According to press reports, items on Zerihoun's agenda are delineating the exact boundaries of the buffer zone around Ledra Street, the opening of other road blocks including that of Pyrgos, and the creation of other working groups with first one on the settlers. However, the hottest item that he will soon have to deal with is the different interpretation the two sides are giving to their 21 March agreement. The T/C side wants them to start in June irrespective of the progress achieved at the committees and working groups, while the G/C side believes that for direct talks to start the technocrats should first produce results. The meeting next Friday 23 May between Christofias and Talat when Christofias said he would ask the Turkish Cypriot leader to review the basis of the process with him, is believed to be crucial. Politis says that Christofias will ask for a one month delay to the start of direct talks and for the working groups and technical committees to meet three times a week rather than two.

Moreover, a meeting between G/C and T/C political parties at the Ledra Palace also reflected these disagreements. Alithia's headline is "Babel Palace".