US PRESIDENT Barack Obama is set to appoint a personal envoy to Cyprus, after consulting with leaders of the Greek American community, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has reported.
According to CNA, the matter was discussed in a meeting between Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Europe in the National Security Council, and the Greek American leadership recently.
President Demetris Christofias told reporters on Sunday that Cyprus would welcome the appointment of a special envoy by Obama, provided that they showed the necessary respect to the Republic and contributed towards a just solution.
“If Mr Obama decides to appoint a special representative he will be most welcomed, provided that the US policy will respect the Republic of Cyprus and will contribute to a just and viable settlement,” he said.
Before giving the thumbs up for the appointment, the Greek American leadership received assurances that no pressure would be exerted on Cyprus to accept a settlement that would not be compatible with UN resolutions and the EU acquis communautaire, CNA reported.
Randall reportedly told the diaspora leaders that Obama has asked to be kept informed about developments in the Cyprus question and gave her instructions to ask Greek American leaders if they agree with the appointment of a presidential envoy.
Asked to comment, members of AKEL, DISY and EDEK welcomed the news, adding that the envoy should not be used to pressure the Greek Cypriot side but should focus their efforts on getting Turkey onboard with a viable solution.
Guarantor power Britain and the US both had special envoys dealing with Cyprus in the run-up to the Annan plan, with Lord David Hannay and Ambassador Thomas Weston appointed respectively. Both were accused of putting heavy pressure on the Greek Cypriot leadership to accept the UN blue print for a solution in 2004. Some quarters even suggested that Hannay was the architect of the plan, rejected by 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots.
The British government has yet to announce whether it is considering appointing another special envoy for the latest round of peace talks on the island.
