THE US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza yesterday reassured Cypriots across the divide that his country has no intention to impose anything on Cyprus.
Speaking after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat Bryza said: “We don’t have any intention of imposing ourselves or forcing anyone to do anything they don’t wish to do. But we hope the parties know we have nothing but good will, good intentions.”
The American diplomat said he also met with Talat’s aide Ozdil Nami “to explore the ways that the US can be helpful”. On the leaders’ decision to open the Limnitis crossing point, Bryza congratulated “all residents of Cyprus on both sides”, describing the development as “a step that took courage” and “the most concrete, constructive step forward that we can all see in quite some time”.
Limnitis has created a renewed sense of optimism that the Cyprus process is moving forward, he said, expressing hope that this “new energy” will be harnessed in the talks so the two leaders can finalise an agreement by the end of the year.
“That will take a lot of work,” he concluded.
Earlier, after meeting with Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou he told reporters that the US looked forward to and anticipated an agreement by the end of the year. He is the second diplomat representing a permanent member of the Security Council to stress the fact that the two leaders’ were expected to come up with the goods by the end of the year, following British High Commissioner Peter Millett’s statements in a local newspaper.
Bryza also met with DISY leader Nicos Anastasiades, saying after the meeting that he was here to simply hear the parties’ views “and if they ask us, to help them think through the issues”. Bryza described it as an honour “to have a chance to hear the wise thoughts of one of the Republic’s most important political leaders for years”.
He added: “We stand ready in any way, being helpful, without any pressure or intervention but knowing that there are wise people in our country, as in every country, who studied this issue for a long time and have their thoughts, their ideas.”
Speaking after his meeting with the American official, Anastasiades said Bryza reaffirmed that US interest is restricted to supporting the talks between the island’s two community leaders.
Bryza also met with House President Marios Garoyian yesterday, during which Garoyian said he underlined the role the US could play in exerting influence on Turkey.
The US official is due to meet President Demetris Christofias and Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou today.
