By Jean Christou
UN DEPUTY Permanent Representative Dame Ann Hercus will soon begin her shuttle diplomacy to try and revive stalled intercommunal talks, she said yesterday.
Speaking on her return to the island from a visit to Athens and Ankara, Dame Ann said she had hand “very productive” and “very useful” talks which she believed would facilitate her planned talks with both sides.
While in Athens and Ankara, Dame Ann met Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.
“Both visits were very productive as I now have direct contacts in Athens and Ankara,” Dame Ann said. “In both capitals I had very useful discussions which provide a positive perspective for my efforts.”
The shuttle talks with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will begin soon, according to Dame Ann, but she stressed negotiations talks would take place behind closed doors and out of the public eye.
“I note there has already been a lot of speculation before the talks have even started, which I find frankly unhelpful,” Dame Ann said.
Hercus reiterated a statement made by the UN Secretary-general in New York on September 30, in which she is mandated to develop a process for on- island contacts with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement. Dame Ann said yesterday the Secretary-general believed the process would best be undertaken away from media spotlight.
“Mr Clerides and Mr Denktash completely agree with this view, so please don’t expect me to break rules agreed by the Secretary-general, Mr Clerides and Mr Denktash,” Dame Ann said.
The government yesterday warned that if the Turkish side tried to push for a confederation during the shuttle talks, then the reaction of the Greek Cypriot side would be swift.
Government spokesman Christos Stylianides said President Clerides expected clarifications at the first meetings on the reduction of tensions and security issues.
Referring to the Turkish side’s proposal for confederation, Stylianides said: “Once more, the Turkish Cypriot side is trying to revoke events and facts as these have been shaped within the framework of the Security Council, the UN Secretary-general and the joint statement of the foreign ministers of the permanent members of the Security Council.”
