Biden lands on Cyrus to make history

In a historic move US Vice President Joe Biden is traveling to Cyprus to meet with Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Dervis Eroglu, making Biden the most senior US official to visit the island since then-Vice President Lyndon Johnson's visit in 1962, Today's Zaman reported.

According to diplomatic sources Biden will meet with Eroglu in his presidential office on Thursday. This meeting in the KKTC will also mark a historic first, as the KKTC is not officially recognized by the US. According to the Greek Cypriot press, Biden's planned meeting with Ero?lu has caused concerns on the Greek Cypriot side as the meeting could be interpreted as US recognition of the KKTC.

Cyprus is divided into a Turkish north and an internationally recognized Greek south. The KKTC is recognized only by Turkey, which does not recognize the Greek Cypriot administration. The leaders of Turkish and Greek Cyprus met in Nicosia in Feb. 11, following intense diplomatic efforts by the US and Turkey.

Biden is not expected to push for a solution in Cyprus or to press the two sides for a settlement during his visit. But he is expected to announce US financing for the reconstruction of Varosha (Mara?), an abandoned city that has been fenced off since the Turkish military intervention on the island in 1974. According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, the US will initially contribute $1 million to establish a delegation to work on a "feasibility survey" for Varosha.

"A US vice president's visit after 52 years is a positive move. We hope that it will add momentum to the Cyprus negotiations," KKTC President Eroglu's special advisor and spokesperson Osman Ertug told Today's Zaman. He also said that Biden's visit had attracted international attention to the island and made it more visible as well as showing the US's interest in a comprehensive solution in Cyprus.

On the Varosha issue, Ertug said they cannot afford to waste time on it, as it might take five years to reach a solution there. He recalled that the Turkish Cypriots would like a solution before the end of this year.

"Varosha can only be part of a comprehensive solution," Ertug added.

The US administration is pushing for progress in Varosha as part of confidence-building measures between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.


/Trend/