UN chief's Cyprus visit marred by venue dispute
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
NICOSIA - The Associated Press
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's trip to divided Cyprus was meant to speed up lumbering reunification talks but discord Tuesday over a meeting venue soured Ban's visit.
Ban met Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat in his presidential office in northern Nicosia on Monday, rather than in his official residence.
That drew protests in the Greek Cypriot south, where people viewed the choice of venue as implying recognition of Talat's government.
Greek Cypriot party leaders, including some from Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias' ruling coalition, boycotted a reception in honor of Ban. Christofias demanded - and received - a U.N. statement saying the venue had "no political significance."
Also Tuesday, Christofias was taken to the hospital after complaining of feeling unwell. Greek Cypriot officials said he was later released after initial tests showed no cause for concern. Doctors said fatigue from Christofias' heavy workload may have caused his indisposition.
The controversy over the meeting venue ensured that nothing substantial would come of Ban's visit, said University of Nicosia International Law professor Tim Potier.
"The atmosphere generated by Ban Ki-moon's meeting in Talat's office almost certainly made it impossible to make any announcement of significance during the news conference," Potier said.
Ban urged "more courage and determination" from both leaders.
A Greek Cypriot government spokesman praised the trip.
"Our evaluation is that the U.N. secretary-general's visit was successful and has given impetus to peace efforts," Greek Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said.
Cyprus was split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north in 1974, when Turkey intervened after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
Christofias and Talat have held unification talks since September 2008 but have agreed on little beyond their mutual will to reach an agreement.
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