CYPRUS -THE LEADERS of Cyprus's Greek and Turkish communities agreed yesterday to hold face-to-face peace talks to reunite the divided country, writes Helena Smith.
Demetris Christofias, who heads the island's majority Greek population, said he and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, would start direct negotiations on September 3rd.
The announcement came days after the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion that split the island, leaving Greeks and Turks entrenched behind a UN-patrolled ceasefire line.
A previous round of peace negotiations collapsed in 2004 when Greek Cypriots, encouraged by their former president Tassos Papadopoulos rejected what was widely seen as the most sophisticated reunification plan. Turkish Cypriots, whose state is recognised only by Turkey, accepted the blueprint.
The election to the presidency in February this year of the moderate Mr Christofias after five years of uncompromising rule under the nationalist Papadopoulos has injected new momentum into the search for a solution.
According to analysts, Mr Talat and Mr Christofias share a world view that is inspired by left-wing ideology, a background in trade unions and a conviction that Cyprus is too small to remain divided. - (Guardian service)