Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders end first phase of peace talks

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat discussed power-sharing and governance during what U.N. envoy Alexander Downer described as "productive and fruitful talks".

The four-hour meeting at Nicosia's abandoned airport in the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone followed the ceremonial launch of official negotiations a week ago.

"We began negotiations on the substance of governance and power-sharing. The talks have been productive and... fruitful," Downer said, adding the leaders would meet again on Sept. 18, while their aides will be meeting daily.

"There are no particular timelines agreed, but the two leaders are doing what they can to push the process ahead at the appropriate speed. There’s a long way to go."

Christofias was reluctant to comment on how the meeting went. "This is not the time to say whether I’m pleased or not."

He could not say whether the power-sharing and governance issues would be wrapped up at next week's meeting.

"UNIQUE LANGUAGE OF PEACE"

Talat arrived for Thursday's meeting first, greeting waiting reporters in Turkish, Greek and English. Christofias, who arrived shortly afterward, was asked which language the two leaders would use to negotiate.

"It’s a unique language of peace that will keep us together," he said before heading into the meeting.

A U.N. official, who asked not to be identified, told the AP with a smile only that "there wasn’t any shouting", when asked to comment on the tenor of the negotiations.

The two leaders are expected to meet at least once a week in a bid to find a settlement.

POT-HOLED ROAD
"The complex and challenging process of finding a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus problem has started in earnest," U.N. chief of mission Taye-Brook Zerihoun told AFP on Wednesday.

"The road ahead will be pot-holed and sometimes perilous, but it does not look blocked."

"Pursuit of the greater good of the people of Cyprus is key to overcoming past rancor and division, and in ushering in a new era of cooperation, prosperity and peace based on respect for diversity and shared principles," he added.

Thursday's talks will initially focus on power-sharing and administrative issues but a war of words has clouded the feel-good climate -- highlighting sharp differences on the issues of security, territory and Turkish settlers.

The negotiations launched on Sept. 3 mark the first major push for peace since the failure of a U.N. reunification plan in 2004, which was approved by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

Christofias said last week that reaching an agreement "would not be an easy job", while Talat has expressed hope for a solution as soon as possible.

"My vision was to finish the negotiations by the end of this year and I believe it is possible," he said in Brussels on Wednesday. The both sides agreed on June, 2009 as target date for a solution, he added.

Talat also said he accepts a reduction of Turkey’s military contingent but that his side will still need security guarantees from Ankara as part of a deal.

U.N. special envoy Alexander Downer has visited both Athens and Ankara to ensure all parties are engaged in the process.

Turkish executives have told Downer Turkey attached great importance to finding a solution to the Cyprus question within the scope of established U.N. parameters, a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman told the Anatolian Agency.

Preparatory talks which began in March have been accompanied by confidence- building measures, notably the opening of a crossing in Ledra Street linking south and north in the symbolic heart of Nicosia.

Past peace efforts have repeatedly floundered on the same sticking points - power-sharing arrangements, property rights for displaced Cypriots, the nature of a future federation and the intervention rights for Turkey and Greece. The two countries remain the guarantor powers for the island, which gained independence from Britain in 1960.

Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.