U.N. Calls Off Plans for Cyprus Conference
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon abandoned plans Saturday for an international conference on reuniting Cyprus because leaders of the island's rival communities had not made enough progress on their disputes.
Ban spoke to Demetris Christofias, leader of the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government, and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, to inform them of his decision, a U.N. spokesman said.
After talks with his Cyprus envoy Alexander Downer, Ban told them that "there is not the sufficient progress on core issues that would provide a basis for calling an international conference at this time," according to the spokesman.
The U.N. secretary-general urged the two leaders to take "bold and decisive action" to overcome the years of differences on how to reunite the island.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to a Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the authorities in the northern sector.
The United Nations has held several rounds of talks between the two sides in a bid to reunite the island. Ban has in the past warned the two sides that he could end U.N. efforts to broker a deal unless they show more commitment to a solution.
He had pressed for concessions in recent months because the Greek Cypriot government takes over the European Union presidency from July 1, which would push back any hope of an accord until next year.
Ban told Christofias and Eroglu that Downer would travel to Cyprus next week for more talks.
Source: Agence France Presse
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