U.S. ENVOY Tomas Weston yesterday said he did not expect negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots to resume before December’s Turkish Cypriot elections.
Addressing a news conference at the end of his contacts on the island, the State Department Co-ordinator for Cyprus said he had had productive talks with both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaderships and insisted on the need for a solution to the Cyprus problem before Cyprus accession to the EU next May.
“My talks with the Turkish Cypriot leaders was focused mainly on the Turkish Cypriot elections, so I made it clear that negotiations must resume after the elections to find a swift solution to the Cyprus problem,” said Weston.
Weston added the Cyprus problem was not at a standstill and that his talks with Greek Cypriot leaders had focused on resuming negotiations as soon as possible.
But asked about when that might happen, Weston was clear: “Do I expect a return to negotiations before the elections? The answer is no.”
“I anticipate negotiations will begin after the Turkish Cypriot elections,” he added, saying he was unable to predict what the outcome of the elections, but was hopeful that a solution would be found based on the Anan plan.
“The USA’s role is to support the UN Secretary-general. We have received solid indications how important it is to return to negotiations from both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, but there are no promises as to what the outcome of the elections will be.”
Weston said the only real chance for a solution is with the UN process.
“Other plans have been discussed as to a solution, but none other than the Annan plan are likely to lead to a settlement,” said Weston.
The US envoy said he had been sorry not to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
“I enjoy my meetings with Mr Denktash, so I am sorry I didn’t meet with.”
“When we requested a meeting… the answer we received was that he needed to rest,” he added.
Denktash flew off to Turkey on the eve of Weston’s arrival on the island.
Asked if he had any hard feelings, Weston said jokingly, “I have no hard feelings. When you’re in the business of working on Cyprus, hard feelings aren’t an option.”
But he rebuffed Denktash’s claims of US interference in the elections.
“America is not in the business of interfering in other political entities. We’re focusing no matter what happens after the elections, on a time line from all parties for a way to be found back to negotiations.
“Whatever happens I hope it will be adopted by all four parties. The USA will welcome anything that gets us a settlement.”
Weston also confirmed speculation that observers would be present to oversee the Turkish Cypriot elections.
“I won’t go into who they are, but there will be some objective observers from Europe. I have discussed the matter with President Papadopoulos.
“The USA does not recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Weston added categorically. Some on the Greek Cypriot side have expressed fears the presence of observers could provide indirect recognition to the occupation regime..
Weston said he realised there were lots of Turkish Cypriots who did not agree with the policies of Denktash, but there were some who supported him. “We believe they must express their will and hope that nothing is going on that would be undemocratic in the elections.”
Weston insisted it was urgent to solve the Cyprus problem. “There remain differences how to do that, but there are no differences in that it must be solved. Through negotiations and mutual agreement anything can be changed.”
