[u]nder increasing international pressure for a new round of peace talks on Cyprus, Cypriot political leaders met in Nicosia yesterday to discuss the latest developments, including a new missive from US President George Bush to President Tassos Papadopoulos. ...I'm not sure how "sincere" Turkey's effort is, since it included a call for negotiations to be based on "the realities of the island." That's diplomatic talk for everyone accepting the existence of the Turkish-backed regime on the northern third of the island. That government was installed by Turkey after a Turkish invasion and is still supported by the presence of 30,000 Turkish troops.
Later yesterday, Papadopoulos confirmed he had received a new letter from Bush, which he described as "most polite and constructive." Reports in the Turkish and Cypriot press claimed Bush was leaning on Nicosia to follow Turkey's "sincere efforts" to restart negotiations, in order to achieve a deal before Cyprus joins the EU on May 1.
On the other hand, the US really isn't in a position to object to such an arrangement, is it?
Footnote: Kathimerini also says that
reports from occupied northern Cyprus quoted Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan as denying that he said the Turkish Cypriots might offer land for peace.In other words, having made their "sincere effort" and gotten Bush's support, Turkey is digging in its heels again. But don't count on US pressure on Turkey - they are, after all, "allies in the war on terror."
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